sr 



P. oblongo-punctatus. — This species is recognised by its distinct brassy 

 tinge ; by its broad elytra, which are only slightly convex, and have a row of 

 four or five very distinct impressions in the third interstice. Length slightly 

 under half-an-inch. Not very common, and apparently more coufined to 

 woods than others of the genus. 



P. vitreus ( orinomus ). — This species, like the preceding, has a row of 

 distinct impressions (4 or 5 in number) in the third interstice of each elytron, 

 but it wants the brassy tinge of that species. The thorax also is broader 

 than long, and the antennae thick, whereas in oblongo-punctatus the antennae 

 are slender and the thorax is nearly square. Length about five lines. A 

 mountain species, which I have taken at Llangollen and on Snowdon. 



P. aterrimus. — This local species, which occurs principally in the fen 

 districts, is easily distinguished from the remaining species with rounded pos- 

 terior angles to the thorax, by its elytra, which are long, flat, shining, and 

 parallel- sided. Length about half-an-inch. 



P. madidus. — A very common species, recognised at once by its rounded 

 thorax and by the oblong-ovate elytra ( not parallel sided) with only a single 

 impression in the third interstice. Length from half to three-quarters of an 

 inch. The legs vary from entirely red to wholly black. 



P. atkiops, which is generally regarded as a race of P. madidus, differs 

 from that species in having the elytra much shorter (but still rounded at the 

 sides), and the third interstice has three impressions. This species occurs, I 

 believe, only in elevated situations, as upon the mountains of Wales and 

 Scotland. 



The small species of the genus are divisible into two groups according to 

 the presence or absence of a short stria at the base of each elytron between 

 the suture and the first ordinary stria. This abbreviated stria is present in 

 all the large species of the genus and can be well seen in striola. It is 

 known as the scutellary stria. 



( a.) — Scutellary stria absent - - P. vernalis and P. ina?qualis. 



Of these two species P. vernalis is the larger, measuring three lines. The 

 elytra are parallel-sided in both species ; in both also the thorax has the pos- 

 terior angles nearly or quite right angles. In P. vernalis the insect is fur- 

 nished with wings and the legs are pitchy, whilst in ina?qualis the legs are 

 red and the insect is apterous. P. vernalis is very common in damp places ; 

 P. inaqualis is rather local, but occurs in similar situations. 



(b.) — Scutellary stria present - - P. minor, P. strenuus, and P. 

 diligens. 



