even of the anterior tarsi in the males, this will appear evident 
on comparing plates 239, 159, and 243 of this work with the 
one before us. 
The colours of Sphseridium are much more brilliant when 
alive. They all inhabit the dung of cows from the first warm 
days of spring to the end of summer, running very actively, and 
concealing themselves in the burrows formed by Coprophagous 
insects. 
It is very doubtful, I think, whether many of our species be 
more than varieties : 
1. S. scarabaeoides Linn. — Don. 7. 231. 4. Sturm. D. F. tab . 
21 . 
ct Ovate black smooth, elytra with 2 obscure ferruginous 
spots.” Linn . F. S . No. 428. 
The species described under this name by Marsh am has an 
ochreous edge to the thorax, from which circumstance Gyl- 
lenhal thinks it may be a distinct species. 
2. bipustulatum Fab. — Oliv. 2. No. 15. t.Q.f. 11. 
“ Black shining, elytra with 2 red spots at the apex, legs 
piceous.” Fab. E. S. 1. 78. 3. 
5. lunatum Fab.? u Ovate black, elytra with a lunate yellow- 
ish spot at the apex : legs black.” Fab. E. S. 78. 2. 
3. 4-maculatum Mars. 66 . 15. Curt. B.E. 518. 9 var. 
Shining black, thickly and minutely punctured, thorax with 
the lateral margins ochreous ; elytra with a deep channel on 
both sides the suture, and 7 or 8 indistinct lines of punctures 
on each, a large bright castaneous spot between the base and 
middle on each side, the outer margin edged with ochre, and 
a lunulate ferruginous-ochre mark at the apex of each : legs 
ochreous, with the spines and tarsi subcastaneous, and a 
piceous spot on the outside of each thigh near the centre. 
Obs. The typical specimens have a red spot on the suture to- 
wards the apex. 
I am inclined to agree with Gyllenhal in believing that 
5. 4- maculatum and marginatum are one species, for I have a 
variety of the latter with the apex of the elytra ochreous as in 
the specimen figured, wanting only the red spots. 
6. marginatum Fab. — Oliv. 2. No. \5. t. 1. f. 3. “ Smooth 
black, margin of elytra and legs ferruginous.” Fab. E. S. 
80. 11. 
4. lunulatum KM., probably a small var. of the last. 
7. Daltoni Step. A small species without any pale margin to 
the thorax, and possibly a var. of S. lunatum. 
The Plant \sLepidium ruderale (Narrow-leaved Pepperwort). 
