THE YOUNG 



NATURALIST. 



159 



p. vemaliSy P. incsguaUs, P. minor, 

 P. strenuus, and P. diligens. 

 Group A (genus Ahax, of Bonelli). 

 P. striola, the largest species of the genus, 

 is easily known by the characters above 

 given. The elytra are nearly flat, with deep 

 strise ; the size is generally about f of an 

 inch. Common everywhere, under stones, 

 clods of earth in fields, and garden refuse. 



Group B. f Genus Foecilus, of Bonelli.) 



First two joints of the antennae red, the 

 elytra ovate, coppery or green ; the size 

 from 4 1 to 6 lines P. cupreus. 



(P. versicolor, by some authors thought to 

 be only a variety of P. (nqjreus, seems to 

 differ in being somewhat smaller and nar- 

 rower, and in having the middle of the 

 base of the thorax not imnctured, as is the 

 case with <nij>rms. The variety of cu^rms 

 known as P. affinis (of Sturm), has the legs 

 entirely red, whereas they are black in the 

 type.) 



First two joints of the antennae reddish 

 beneath; the elytra brilliant green, and 

 more or less oblong and parallel sided ; the 

 size is generally slightly over half-an-inch . . 



P. dimidiatus. 



First two joints of antennae entirely black, 

 colour and shape of elytra as in dimidiatus. 

 Size half-an-inch P. lepidus. 



P. cnpreus and P. versicolor seem to be 

 common and generally distributed ; I have 

 taken both on dry heathy ground. 



P. dimidiatus and P. lepidus are more 

 local, the localities given by Mr. Dawson 

 for the former being Hampstead Heath, 

 Wandsworth Common, and Folkstone; 

 whilst the latter species seems to occur 

 chiefly in the fen counties. 



Group C. 



P.picimanus, — The only species of the 

 genus of a reddish brown colour. Its thorax 

 is much narrowed behind, and the elytra 

 are very flat and parallel sided. This 

 insect reminds one somewhat of a small 

 red Broscus— its length being about half-an- 



inch. It is a rather local species, but the 

 localities given by Mr. Dawson are widely 

 separated. 



P. 7ii^er is easily recognised by its Jlat, 

 dull, elytra, which have deep striae. Next 

 to striola this is the largest species of the 

 genus, measuring about f of an inch. Very 

 abundant everywhere. 



P. vulgaris (inelanarius) is at first sight 

 likely to be confounded with the previous 

 species, but, in addition to its smaller size 

 f6| to 8 lines), it is more shining, and the 

 elytra are narrower and more convex ; the 

 thorax too has a more distinct basal depres- 

 sion. This species is also very abundant. 



P. pat umpunctatus — From the descrip- 

 tions I have read, this species seems to 

 resemble P. niger in general appearance, 

 but to differ from that species in having 

 the thorax more narrowed behind, with a 

 single impressed stria (not two as in niger) 

 on each side, and the palpi and antennas red at 

 the apex. This species, which I have not 

 had the pleasure of seeing or taking, is 

 rather local, and would seem to be found 

 in somewhat elevated regions. 



P. anthracijius and P. nigrita — These 

 species bear a very close resemblance to the 

 common P. vulgaris, except that they are 

 smaller (about 4I to 6 lines). In both the 

 thorax is somewhat narrowed behind, but 

 in anthracinus the posterior angles are 

 right angles, and the basal foveas are larger, 

 and the elytra longer with a little tooth at 

 the extreme tip, next the suture, which is 

 absent in nigrita, in which the posterior 

 angles of the thorax are somewhat blunt. 

 The males of both species may be easily 

 distinguished, for whereas in nigrita the last 

 segment of the abdomen has a small tubercle 

 on the underside, in anthracinus this 

 tubercle is replaced by a large depression. 

 P. nigrita seems to be common everywhere, 

 and very variable in size. P. anthracinus 

 is more scarce. Both species frequent 

 marshy places. 



