XIX. 
exist. Mr. A. J. Chitty writes that he has “ a specimen from F. 
Smith’s collection, without locality.” The antennae of this beetle have 
the second joint twice as long as third, the seventh joint slightly 
narrower than eighth, and terminate in a gradual club. The interstices 
of the elytra are coarsely punctured, without tubercle Dehind middle. 
4. S. opaca , L., differs from the preceding in having the second 
joint of the antennae only slightly longer than third, the seventh joint 
is not nearly so stout as eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh, which 
together form a strong club. The interstices of the elytra are finely 
punctured, with a strong tubercle at end of third keel behind the 
middle. The beetle is local and uncommon in England ; found 
mostly in carcases, moss, &c., Sheerness, Deal, Whitstable, Coombe 
Wood, Woking, &c. (G. C. Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptera) ; 
it is rather common in Scotland, but abundant in the Orkney. Mr. 
A. J. Chitty captured a specimen struggling on the sandhills in a very 
high wind on Woolacombe Sands, North Devon, in May. Ireland :— 
Recorded from Portmarnock, county Dublin, by McNabb, and near 
Belfast, by Haliday. A specimen sent me last year was picked up at 
Lough Swilly, in Donegal (W.F.J.). 
5. Four British species are included in this division, viz. : S. 
thoracica , S. ntgosa, S. sinuata, and S'. dispav. The whole of these 
species have the second joint of the antennae shorter than the third, 
but this difference is scarcely apparent in S. thoracica , which, from its 
broad stucture and red thorax, 'might well form a sub-genus of itself. 
S. thoracica , L., can scarcely be confounded with any other British 
species, as besides having a red thorax, the elytra is much depressed 
and the ridges wrinkled, and, viewed at rest, has the appearance of 
having been trodden on and crushed. The beetle is generally dis¬ 
tributed, but is commoner in fir plantations than elsewhere. Sometimes 
taken on the wing in hot sunshine, Oxshott and Farnham, Surrey ; 
the larvae also can be taken at decaying fungus in same localities 
(G.A.L.). Taken by Mr. Chaney at Esher, in putrid fungus. Mr. 
A. J. Chitty finds it “ usually in small numbers, but occurs at times 
plentifully, as once in 1888 in New Forest under a dead pony; also 
from Craigillachis Bansphin under a small dead bird ; Oxshott, South 
Wales, and other localities.” Not recorded from Ireland. 
S. mgosa , L., and two following, are of dull black, or brownish 
colour. In the species under notice the elytra have in the interstices 
a number of elevations or small tubercles arranged irregularly. The 
beetle is generally the commonest of the genus, and occurs at every 
part of the British Isles, and may be taken at any carrion. Ireland : 
Very common all over the country ; in fact, I find it in every piece of 
carrion (W.F.J.). 
