THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF EDINBURGH. 481 
by J. Wilson, Esq. The latter is plentiful in some of the 
hilly districts of Scotland. 
S. opaca, Linn. Silpha tomentosa. Marsh. 
Not common. On pathways, and at the roots of trees. 
Blackford Hill. Dreghorn woods. 
Gen. Phosphuga. 
P. atrata, Leach. Stepli. Silpha atrata^ Linn. Marsh. 
Common in woods and fields. 
Var. /S. With the margins of the thorax and the elytra 
testaceous. Occurs with the other occasionally. 
Var. y. Entirely testaceous. This variety, which is by 
no means owing to immaturity, occurs frequently on the 
Pentland Hills. 
Fam. NITIDULIDiE. 
Gen. NiTiDULA. 
N* Colon, Fah. Marsh. Steph. Silpha Colon ^ Linn. 
On decaying animal matter, and under the bark of trees, 
occasional. May — July. 
N. discoidea, Fah. Marsh. Samou. Steph. 
In such situations as the foregoing, but much more fre- 
quent. Sea-shore. Salisbury Craigs. 
N. bipustulata, Fah. Marsh. Silpha hipustulata. Linn. 
On carcasses, frequent ; and occasional on putrescent ve- 
getables and Boleti. 
N. oblonga, Herhst Steph. 
On the flowers of the Cnicus lanceolatus, Spear-thistle, 
sometimes plentiful. 
N. depressa, Illig. Steph. Nitid. cEsti'va^ Fab. Marsh. 
On various plants, not rare. Under the bark of trees in 
winter. 
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