The spiny anterior tibiae in Phytosns seem to indicate that it 
burrows, and render it not improbable that the ceconomy of 
this insect is similar to Hesperophilus and Bledius (pi. 143), 
to which it is undoubtedly allied, the trophi having a great 
resemblance ; the antennae however readily distinguish them, 
the 2 basal joints being equal, and the 3rd short. Phytosus 
is likewise related to the Aleocharae, as will be evident on re- 
ferring to the dissections of Homalota (pi. 514) ; but it is more 
nearly allied to other groups of this extensive division of the 
Staphylinidae, and it is very probable” that Astilbus canalicu- 
latus , which has the anterior tarsi alone 4-jointed, may prove 
to be one of the connecting links. 
The extraordinary difference in contour, size, and colour in 
the two insects represented in our plate would lead to a belief 
that they were not the sexes ; but they agree in structure and 
are found together, so that no doubt is entertained on that 
head. 
The following is the description of 
P. spinifer Rudd. — Curt. Brit . Ent. pi. 718 S & ? . 
Male pale fulvous, thickly and minutely punctured, and 
clothed with short depressed shining yellowish hairs ; head 
brownish, eyes black; thorax depressed down the middle; 
abdomen black, basal and apical segments castaneous. 
Female dull black, thickly and minutely punctured, clothed 
with very short depressed shining yellow pubescence; trophi, 
antennae and legs ochreous, the former and the apical joint 
of the antennae darker; coxae and thighs castaneous and 
black ; elytra with a small space at the apex of the suture 
reddish; abdomen shining black, slightly chestnut at the 
apex, 6th segment with the margin of the same colour, the 
edge white. 
Specimens of this nondescript species were discovered by 
the Rev. G. T. Rudd last May, just above high-water mark 
on the shore between Ryde and Sea-view in the Isle of Wight. 
It appears to burrow in the moist sand, amongst which it was 
found by shaking the sand over a green calico net. For my 
specimens, as well as others for dissection, I am indebted to 
the captor. 
Zannichellia palustris, var. Z. dentata Wild. (Horned Pond- 
weed) was communicated by Dr. Bromfield. Fig. A shows 
an anther, s the stigma. 
