)# I THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY NATURAL HISTORY SURVSY WATURAL HISTORY ay^^^y^y J rJ^^^u^m/^'^yf-^^'i'^''^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/monographiapselaOOdenn MONOGRAPHIA PSELAPHIDARUM ET SCYDM^NIDARUM BRITANNIJE : OR AN ESSAY ON THE BRITISH SPECIES OF THE GENERA Pselajjhus, of Herbst, and Scydmcenus, of LatreiUe : IX win en THOSE GENERA ARE SUBDIVIDED, AND ALL THE SPECIES HITHERTO DISCOVERED IN GREAT BRITAIN ARE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED AND ARRANGED, WITH AN INDICATION OF THE SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEY ARE USUALLY FOUND : BACH SPECIE3 ILLUSTRATED BV A HIGHLY MAGNIFIED TKVnt. BY HENRY DENNY. NORWICH: PUBLISHED BY S. WILKIN, UPPPER HAYMARKET, SOLD ALSO BY BURKS AND KINNEBROOK; MATCIIETT AND STEVENSON; J. PARSONS; AND JOHN STACY, NORWICH: AKD IN LONDON BY BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY, PATERNOSTER ROW; AND W. WOOD, 428 STRAND. 1825. ■* n CEM ^ 5' ii, fig. 22. Euplectus Uiiicolor. Kirl)y, AISS. Description. Head nearly quadrate, and depressed ; shining and smooth ; the front with a transverse impressed line, and two foveolaL* between the eyes. Antenn.e ferruginous, and slightly pubescent, about the length of the head and thorax, and clavated ; the last joint nearly cordate, with its apex acute. Palpi pale ferruginous, and shining. Eyes black, small, and granulated. 14 Thorax nearly round, smooth, and shining; the an- terior part with a single foveola in the centre ; the pos- terior part, or base, a little narrowed, witli three foveolae, joined by a semicircular line; very much depressed at the sides. Elytra ferruginous, shining, smooth, and pubescent; about half the length of the abdomen, and depressed ; with a line on each side of the suture, and a depression at the shoulder. Abdomen elongated, smooth, shining, and finely pu- bescent; the first three joints with the margin reflexed; apex nearly acute. Legs pale ferruginous, shining, finely pubescent, and slender. Length not quite one line. Habitat, I know of only a pair of this insect, which are in the valuable cabinet of the Rev. Wm. Kirby, and were cap- tured by him near Barham, some few years since. I have no hesitation in pronouncing this to be the Psela- phus S'lgnatus of Reichenhach, as it agrees with his description in every respect, except that he does not mention the foveolae at the base of the thorax being joined by a semicircular line. This insect when first taken is finely pubescent, but I conclude that it is very easily deprived of that appearance, from observing that the specimens from which I made my drav/ings were in many places quite free from hair. Species 5. Euplectus Kirh'n. Plate ii, fig. I. Specific Character. Dark red chesnut, very much elongated and depressed. Thorax nar- rowed before and behind. Synonym. Euplectus Kirbii. Leach, MSS. 15 Description. Head nearly quadrate, elevated, and smooth, with two converging depressions in front; chesnut-coloured and shining. Antennae about the length of the head and thorax, of a very pale chesnut colour, and thickly pubescent. Palpi nearly as long as the head. Eyes granulated and black. Thorax dark chesnut and shining; nearly cordate, with an oblong foveola in front, and three at the base, joined by an impressed line. Elytra dark red chesnut, shining, pubescent, and ra- ther depressed ; about half the length of the abdomen ; with a line on each side of the suture, and one from the base, about half way down. Abdomen elongated and depressed ; the first three joints nearly equal in size ; the margin reflexed ; apex nearly acute, smooth and shining. Legs pale ferruginous, finely pubescent, and slender. Length one line. Habitat, I have never seen but one specimen of this insect, which is in the cabinet of the British Museum. This is a much more elongated and depressed insect than Eii- plectus Sangimieits, which it resembles very nearly. It will readily be perceived that the name by which Dr. Leach has designated this species is in honour of one of the most illustrious Entomologists of the age, and to whom the science is very greatly indebted for the valu- able works which he has produced, all of which show the indefatigable zeal and profound judgment of the author. Species 6. Euplectus Pvsillus. Plate ii, (g. 2. Specific Character. Black and shiningy finely punctured and pubescent. Tliorax rotun- dated, and rather depressed ; the posterior part with three 16 fovpold', joined transversely by a scniicirculur Impressed line, yintennce i^ery slender. Synonyms. Euplectus Pusillus. Leacli, MSS. ? Tenuicornis. Kirliy, MSS. Description. Head nearly triangvilar, shining, and finely punctured ; the anterior part with two oblong depressions, forming an angle, and terminating in two punctures between the eyes. Antenna light chesnut, with the apex much darker; about as long as the head and thorax ; thickly pubescent and slender; the first joint cylindrical, second larger, following six minute, ninth and tenth enlarged, eleventh the largest and nearly acuminated. Palpi obscure chesnut, and pubescent; not so long as the head. Eyes granulated and black. Thorax pitchy black, rotundated, punctured, and ra- ther depressed; the posterior part with three foveolge, joined transversely by a semicircular impressed line. Elytra quadrate, thickly punctured, pubescent, and shining; with a line on each side of the suture, and two small depressions at the shoulders. Abdomen elongated, punctured, and pubescent; the segments nearly equal in size ; the first three with the margin reflexed, the last nearly acute. Legs obscure liver colour, slender, and pubescent. Length about three quarters of a line. Habitat, moss in woods, and on marshes. I find this species pretty plentiful at Horning and Woodbastwick, in Norfolk, in the months of October, November, and December. It agrees, in some respects, with the Pselaphus Amhigmis of Reichenbach, but I should think it is distinct, because it diflTers in the sculp- ture of the thorax, as well as in colour. 17 Species 7. Euplectiis Bi color. Plate ii, Cg. 3. Specific Character. Pitchy hlach. Thorax large and rotumhted, the posterior part nar- roiced, xcith three foveolte, the centre one rather the largest. Synonym. Euplectus bicolor. Kirby, MSS. Description. Head cordate, pitchy black, and shining; with two deeply impressed punctures between the eyes. Antenn.e obscure chesnut, about the length of the head and thorax ; the first, second, and last three joints the largest ; apex nearly acute. Palpi pale, ferruginous, and pubescent. Eyes large, finely granulated, and black. Thorax pitchy black, large and rotundated; the pos- terior part eniarginated, with three foveolae, the centre one rather the largest, the side ones situated in a deeply impressed and finely punctured line. Elytra pitchy Ijlack and shining, nearly quadrate ; with a few very fine punctures, a line down each side of the suture, and another half the length, deeply impress- ed, from the base. Abdomen pitchy black and shining; the first segment the largest, and following two with the margin reflexed ; apex obtuse. Legs obscure chesnut; thighs thickish; tibiae slender; tarsi paler. Length about three quarters of a line. Habitat, I have never seen this species in any other cabinets than those of the Rev. Wm. Kirby, F.L.S., of Bar- ham, (who kindly favoured me with the specimens from which the present figure was taken) ; and J. F. Stephens, Esq., F.L.S., of London, who possesses a single speci- men: I therefore consider it as one of our rarest species. 18 1 am not aware that it is even known upon the conti- nent, having never seen either figure or description of it in any work. I have never been able to learn in what situation it was found, but probably its habitat is much the same as that of other species. Species 8. Euplectus Brevicornis. flate ii, fig. 4. Specific Chakacter. Cliesnut, shining, and finely pubescent. The untennce about the length of the thorax, and pubescent ; the last Joint x'ery large. Thorax elongated, laith three foveoles, joined by a semicircular line at the base. Synonyms. Pselap. Brevicornis. Reichenbacli, Monog. Pselap. p. 47, t. i, f. 10. I\Ius. Dom. Scliueppel. Euplectus Kuazii. Leach, INI.SS. Description. Head rotundated and shining; with two converging depressions in front, each ending in a puncture. Antennae pale testaceous and pubescent; about the length of the thorax ; with the first and second joints a little enlarged, the last very large and ovate, with its base truncated and its apex acute. Palpi pale, testaceous, and finely pubescent, not quite so long as the head. Eyes small, granulated, and black. Thorax obscure chesnut, shining, smooth, and finely pubescent, oblong; oval towards the head, narrower and truncate at the base, with three foveolae, joined by a semicircular impressed line, the centre one the largest and in the form of a half circle. Elytra obscure chesnut, shining, smooth, and pu- bescent, nearly triangular; with a line down each side of the suture, and another from the base half the length. Abdomen elongate-oval, convex, smooth, shining, and 19 finely pubescent ; apex obtuse ; the first three segments the largest, with the margin reflexed ; in the centre of the first at the base are two depressed lines. Legs much paler than the body; thighs thick; tarsi about half the length of the tibia, still paler, and slender. Length from the apex of the antennae to the apex of the abdomen about three quarters of a line. Habitat, the same as the other species. This species is extremely rare in Britain. I know of only four specimens ; (besides that in my own cabinet, which belongs now to the Norwich Museum : ) one of these is in the British Museum, three in the cabinets of the following gentlemen : the Rev. J. Burrell, F.L.S., of Letheringsett, in Norfolk, (to whom I was indebted for my specimen) ; N. A. Vigors, Esq., F.L.S., of White- head's Grove, Chelsea; and Mr. J. Sparshall, F.L.S., of Norwich : this last is in a very fine state of preserva- tion, and much darker than the preceding. I suspect this insect is very easily deprived of its pubescent ap- pearance, as four out of the five specimens which I have examined were nearly divested of hair. Genus II. BYTHINUS. Synonyms. Bythinus; Leach: — Pse/ap/ms, fain, ii; Reichenbach. Generic Character. Antennce clavated ; the second joint from the base, in the male, in- ternally produced and very large ; the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, much smaller ; ninth and tenth much wider ; eleventh, the largest, with its apex acute. Max- illary Palpi having the first joint filiform, with its apex gradu- ally clavated 5 second much smaller j third very large, flat, and hatchet-shaped. Species 1. Bythinus Curtisii. Plate iii, fig. 1. Specific Character. Dark chesnut brown, inclining to a liver colour, shining, punctured, and thickly pubescent. Second Joint of the Antennce, in the mule, globular, with a protuberance on the internal side. Synonyms. Bythinus Curtisii. Leach, Zoolog. Misc. vol. iii, p. 83. Pselaphus Binodis. Kirby, MSS. Description. Head elongated and triangular, smooth, shining, and finely pubescent ; the anterior part with a large excava- tion ; the base with two foveolae between the eyes, and a longitudinal impressed line in the centre. Antenna about as long as the head and thorax, of a ferruginous yellow, and thickly pubescent. 21 Palpi twice as long as the head ; the last joint very much elongated and flat ; finely pubescent and testaceous. Eyes prominent, granulated, and black. Thorax dark chesnut brown, cordate and convex ; finely punctured, pubescent and shining; longer and wider than the head ; the anterior part much the largest, and rotundated ; the base narrowed, with an impressed semicircular line. Elytra wider than the thorax, thickly punctured, pubescent and shining; with a line down each side of the suture, impressed very deep at the base. Abdomen not quite so long as the elytra, punctured and shining ; with its margin a little reflexed. Legs testaceous brown ; thighs thickish ; tibiae and tarsi slender and pubescent. Length from the apex of the abdomen to the apex of the antennas, not quite one line. Habitat, moss at the roots of trees. This species was, I believe, first discovered in Norfolk by Mr. J. Curtis, F.L.S., of London, well known to the scientific world for his abilities as an artist. It has since been taken by the Rev. F. W. Hope, F.L.S., at Netley, near Shrewsbury, who kindly favoured me with the spe- cimen from which my drawing was made. Species 2. Bythimis Securiger. Plafe iii, fig. 2. Specific Character. Pitchy hrown. Thorax punctured and sh'm'uig. Second joint of the antenncE, in the male, securiform ; antennes and legs bright fer- ruginous. Synonyms. Bythinus vSecuriger. Leach, Zool. IMisc. vol. iii, p. 83. Pselaphus Securiger. Reichenb. Monog. p. 25, tab. i, fig. d. Pselap. Grandipalpus. Kirby, IMSS. 22 Description. Head subtriaiigular, deeply punctured and shining, with two foveolae 1 etween the eyf'^. Antenn/E ferruginous and pubescent ; rather longer than the head and thorax ; tlie first joint long and cylin- drical ; second exactly securiform, and large in the male ; the following six much smaller ; the three last much the largest. Palpi pale, ferruginous ; not quite so long as the an- tennae ; the last joint very large and securiform. Eyes prominent, granulated, and black. Thorax longer than the head and rather wider ; the anterior part much the largest and rotundated, deeply punctured and shining ; the posterior part with a semi- circular impressed line. Elytra pitch-coloured, longer and wider than the head and thorax, thickly punctured, shining, and finely pubescent ; suture a little elevated, with an impressed line on each side; the shoulder very much elevated. Abdomen pitchy black and shining; the first two joints with the margin reflexed. Legs ferruginous ; thighs thickish ; tibia? and tarsi slender. Length nearly three quarters of a line. Habitat, moss at the roots of trees in woods. For a figure of this very rare species, I am indebted to the Rev. Wm. Kirby, who captured a specimen of the male some few years since, which is the only male I have had an opportunity of examining ; there are two females in London, one in the rich and valuable cabinet of J. F. Stephens, Esq., the other in the British Museum. Species 3. Byfhinus BurreUii. Specific Character. Pitchy black, punclured, and shining. The second joint of the antennce of the male very large, somewhat lumilate and flat ; antennae and legs pale ferruginous. 23 Description. Head subtriangular, finely punctured, and shining; with a depression across the front ; two fo^eola? between the eyes, and another in the anterior part somewhat oblong. Antenn.e pale ferruginous, shining, and pubescent; the second joint in the male nearly lunulate, very flat towards the concave edge, much thicker at the convex or exterior edge, and somewhat truncated at its apex ; the succeeding joints gradually increasing in size towards the extremity; the last very large and ovate. Palpi pale ferruginous yellow, pubescent, very much resembling those of the preceding species. Eyes black, granulated, and shining. Thorax pitchy black, shining, and finely punctured ; the anterior part the largest ; the base with a transverse line, terminating at each end in a puncture. Elytra thickly punctured, finely pubescent, shining and convex. Abdomen pitchy black, shining and pubescent; the first segment with the margin reflexed ; apex obtuse. Legs pale ferruginous, and rather slender. Length about three quarters of a line. Habitat, The genus Bytldnus, when first established by Dr. Leach, contained only two species (Curtisii and Securi- ger;) a third was discovered in the latter part of April, 1824, near Letheringsett in Norfolk, by the Rev. J. Burrell, who obligingly sent me specimens of it. I have therefore named it in honour of that gentleman. At first view it very much resembles B. Seciiriger; but the singular form of the second joint of the antennae clearly distinguishes it from that species. The females of this as well as of the other species of the genus are smaller than the males ; but invariably the reverse is observed in in all the other genera of the family. Genus III. ARCOPAGUS. Synonyms. Areopagus; Leach : — Pselaphus, fam. ii; Reichenbach, Generic Character. Jlntenn(E as long as the head and thorax ; the first joint large; in the male cylindrical, in the female internally dilated ; the se- cond smaller and nearly globular ; the six following smaller and nearly equal ; ninth and tenth larger and wider ; eleventh still larger, ovate, and acute. Maxillary Palpi nearly as long as the antennae ; the first joint filifoim and long, with its apex abruptly clavated ; second elongate ; third very large and nearly securiform. Species 1. Areopagus Bulbifer. Plate V, fig. Specific Character. Blach, shining, and pubescent. Antennce clavated. Palpi pale fer- ruginous. Legs dark cltesnut. Ebjtra strongly punctured. Synonyms. Areopagus Bulbifer. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p. 84. Pselaphus Bulbifer. Reichenbach, Monog. Psel. p. 37, tab. i, f. 6. Knoch. et Dahl. MSS. Klugii. olim. in Mus. Hellwig. Bostrichus Anomalus, Schrank, Donaumorr, brief, viii, p. 136. Description. Head nearly triangular, black and shining; the an- terior part produced and depressed ; with two large punctures between the eyes. Antenna pale, ferruginous, and pubescent; the length of the head and thorax; the first joint in 25 the female very large ; the last ovate ; base truncated. Palpi nearly twice the length of the head ; pale ferruginous, and pubescent ; the last joint large and securiform. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax shining and finely pubescent ; rather longer and wider than the head, and rotundated ; base a little contracted, with a ti'ansverse impressed line, terminat- ing at each end in a puncture. Elytra thickly punctured, shining and pubescent, broader than the thorax, and convex ; the base with four depressions, and a line on each side of the suture, entire ; apex dilated. Abdomen oval and black, pubescent and shining ; the margin a little reflexed Legs dull chesnut and shining ; the thighs a little thick- ened ; tibiee slender and compressed ; tarsi much paler. Length not quite a line. Habitat, moss in woods, and on marshes. This species is by far the most plentiful in Norfolk. One hundred specimens might be taken in a single day, merely by examining moss, collected towards the latter end of the year. This insect varies exceedingly in size, some being nearly twice the size of others. Species 2. Areopagus Claviconns. flale V, ilg. J. Specific Character. Durh chesnut, and larger than any others of the genus. Thorax wider than the head; the anterior part large; the posterior part contracted. Thighs rather thich. Synonyms. Areopagus Clavicornis. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p. 84. Pselaphus Reicheiibach, Mon. Psel. p. 40, tab. i, f. /. Panzer, Faun. Germ. H. 9.9, no. 3 Autennarius. Mus. Hoffmansegg et Schueppel. 26 Description, Head nearly triangular and smooth, and deeply im- pressed in the centre, with two foveolee between the eyes. Antexn.e dark chesnut and pubescent ; not quite so long as the head and thorax ; the first, second, and last joints verj large ; the second nearly quadrate ; the last with its base truncated. Palpi pale ferruginous, and finely pubescent ; nearly as long as the antennae. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax dark chesnut, wider than the head ; the an- terior part the largest, and rounded ; the base contracted and slightly punctured, with an impressed line. Elytra pitch coloured and shining ; very thickly punctured toward the posterior part, and pubescent ; much wider than the thorax, with a line on each side of the suture, and one at the shoulder, deeply impressed. Addomen pitchy black and shining ; the segments nearly equal in size, and finely pubescent. Legs testaceous and shining ; thighs thickish ; tibiae slightly curved and compressed ; tarsi yellow. Length rather more than one line. Habitat, the same as the other species. This is certainly the rai*est species of the genus. I never saw it in any cabinet but that of the British Mu- seum, in which there are a pair, one of which w as taken at Swansea, by Mr. Millard, the other at Falmouth, by Mr. Prideaux ; this is clearly distinguished from all the others of the genus, by being nearly twice the size. Species 3. Areopagus Puncticollis. Plate y, fig. S. Specific Character. Dark ferruginous, punctured, and shining. Tliorax very large ; dilated in front, and thickly punctured. Thighs very thick in the female. 27 Description. Head triangular, rather short, and thickly punctured; deeply depressed in front, with two large foveolag be- tween the eyes. Antenn.e ferruginous and pubescent ; not quite so long as the head and thorax ; the last joint very large, and rather acuminate. Palpi pale yellow brown, and pubescent. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax obscure, ferruginous, but paler than the body, thickly punctured, and pubescent ; much wider than the head in front, and having the base very much narrowed, with an impressed line terminating in a puncture at each end. Elytra dark ferruginous, punctured, pubescent, and shining, wider than the thorax, and rather longer than the head and thorax, with four excavations at the base, and a line on each side of the suture, entire. Abdomen large, the segments equal in size ; the first three with the margin slightly reflexed. Legs pale ferruginous yellow, and pubescent ; thighs very thick in the female ; tibia? short and compressed ; tarsi slender. Length from three quarters to one line. Habitat, moss in damp situations. Of this species, which is new to Britain, I have caught several specimens, at Horning, where I first discovered it, in 1822, as a Norfolk species. I believe it stands in some cabinets as the Clavicornis, which I, at first, sup- posed it to be, until I saw the difference by comparing it with the Museum specimens ; the male is considerably smaller than the female ; the thighs are also much slen- derer. There are some varieties of a plain ferruginous brown ; but they are found most frequent with the thorax much paler than the elytra ; this species is next in size to Clavicornis. 28 Species 4. Areopagus GlabricoUis. Plate ¥, H-U. Specific Character. (Jisc lire ferruginous. Thorax longer than the head, cordate, and smooth ; the anterior and posterior parts narrowed, the latter with a transverse line. , Synonyms. Areopagus GlabricoUis. Leach, Zool. JVIisc. vol. iii, p. 83. spec. 1 . Pselaphus Reich. Monog. p. 43, tab. i, fig*. 8. Description. Head triangular and smooth ; the anterior part pro- duced and bifid ; the base with two punctures between the eyes. Antenna ferruginous and pubescent, the length of the head and thorax ; the first joint very large in the female ; the second smaller and round ; the last ovate, with its base rounded. Palpi pale ferruginous yellow, half the length of the antennae, and pubescent. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax cordate, smooth, and shining, about the width of the heatl, and a little longer ; the anterior and posterior parts narrowed, the latter with a transverse line. Elytra ferruginous, punctured, and shining, as long as the head and thorax, and a little wider ; with a line on each side of the suture, and a depression at the shoulder. Abdomen oblong, convex, shining, and pubescent; the margin slightly reflexed. Legs pale ferruginous, and slender ; tarsi pale yellow. Length about three quarters of a line. Habitat the same as the preceding. This Insect is easily distinguished from any of the others, by the size and more elongated and slender form ; it is not so common as Bulbifer, but is by no means rare in Norfolk ; it is found varying from a bright ferruginous to a pitch colour. GlabrtcolUsy the name by which both Reichenbach and Dr. Leach have designated this species, I think not very appHcable ; as, from the term, it might be supposed the thorax of the insect is perfectly free from hairs ; but such is not the case ; a few fine hairs are scattered over its surface. Genus IV. TYCHUS. Synonyms. Tychus ; Leach: — Pselaphus, fam.'u; Reiche?{bach. Generic Character. Jiitenn<^ with the first johit long, thick, rather curved, and cylin- drical ; the second somewhat smaller ; the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, much smaller; the fifth joint, in the male, large and very conspicuous ; ninth and tenth, very much truncated ; eleventh very large, with its apex acute. Palpt longer than the head, with the first joint filiform, the second oblong and angulated; the third very large and securi- form ; body depressed. Species 1. Tychus Niger. /'late vi, fig. I. Specific Character. Black and pubescent. Thorax smooth and narrowed in front. An- tenncc testaceous and pubescent. Elytra deeply strutted. Synonyms. Tychus Niger. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p. 84. Pselaphus Niger. Reich. Monog. Pselap. p. 35, t. i, fig. 5, ^ Kirby, MSS. ^ Paykul, Faun. suec. iii, p. 3G6, no. 4. Nodicornis. Beck, in litt. P Ruficornis. Dahl. in litt. Detritus, et Congener. Nees. ab Esenbeck. in litt. Description. Head nearly triangular, smooth, convex, and shining. Antenn/e testaceous and hairy, about half the length 31 of the body and thick; the last three joints the largest; the apex acute. Palpi longer than the head, of a pale yellowish brown, and pubescent. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax black, smooth, and shining; the anterior part much the narrowest, the base rounded. Elytra black and shining, subquadrate, convex, and pubescent, rather more than half the length of the ab- domen ; a Uttle depressed at the base, with a longitudinal line at the suture. Abdomen black, shining, and pubescent ; the first segment the largest, with the margin reflexed, the rest growing gradually smaller, the apex nearly acute. Legs ferruginous and slender ; thighs thickish, tibiee and tarsi slender. Length scarcely one line. Habitat, moss in dry woods and clayey situations. In some instances, though rarely, the elytra of this insect vary in colour from black to a red brown. The male has the fifth joint of the antennae enlarged ; the antennas of the female grow gradually thicker towards the apex. It is found in London, Bristol, Norfolk, and many other parts of the Kingdom ; and is by no means an uncommon species. The drawing was taken from a specimen in tlie cabinet of the Rev. J. Burrell, which was the first I examined. I have since taken several. The moss, in which it is most frequently found, is the Hypnum Triquetnim ; but Richenbach mentions its beinfj found at the root of the oak. Genus V. BRYAXIS. Synonyms. Bryaxis ; Knoch: — Pselaphus,izm.'\\\; Reichenbach. Generic Character. Antenn(e\ovigsx\A gradually clavated; tlie first, second, ninth, tenth, and eleventh, joints the largest; the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, smaller, of nearly eijual size, and slen- der. Palpi short and thick ; with the first joint very abruptly clavated ; the second large, and a little angulated ; the third ovate, with its apex acute. Species 1 . Bryaocis Longicornis. Plate vii, fig. 2. Specific Character. Body blacky shining, and much elongated. Elytra bi'ight red. Tho- rax with three foveolfe joined by a sei)iicircular impressed line. AntenncE very long and slender. Anterior tibiae notched. ^ Synonyms. Bryaxis Longicornis. Leach, Zoolog. Misc. vol. iii, p. 85. Pselapluis Foveolatus. Kirby, MSS. Description. Head black and shining ; nearly quadrate, with three foveolae deeply impressed, and forming an angle. Antenna of a dusky liver colour, and pubescent, more than half the length of the body ; the first joint long and cylindrical ; second a little enlarged ; third and foui'th shorter; fifth much longer than the three preceding; sixth, seventh, and eighth, growing gradually shorter ; ninth, tenth, and eleventh, much the largest, and cylin- drical; apex nearly acute. Palpi light chesnut brown, and pubescent ; the first joint abruptly clavated ; second angular, with the exte- rior angle rounded ; third very large and acute. Eyes prominent, granulated, and black. Thorax black, shining, and smooth ; larger than the head ; narrowed before and behind ; the base with three foveolae joined transversely by a semicircular impressed line, the centre one very much in the form of an angle. Elytra bright red, shining, and smooth, with a black band across the apex, very finely pubescent, about half the length of the abdomen; with a line down each side of the suture, and an arcuated line from the base. Abdomen black and shining ; the first segment much the largest, with two depressed lines in the centre ; each segment having a brown tinge towards the extremity, with the margin reflexed. Legs chesnut-brown, long, and slender ; the anterior tibiae notched, with a small spine, and a row of fine hairs down the internal edge ; tarsi paler and pubescent. Length about one line and three quarters. Habitat, moss in damp woods, and rushes. This species very much resembles Bryaxis Sanguineus at first sight; and has, indeed, by many persons, been considered the female of that species. But, after exami- ning them very closely, I think I may venture to pro- nounce them distinct. Dr. Leach was, I believe, the first who divided them as species ; his division was from the length of the antenncc, which is certainly a very strik- ing characteristick ; but I am not aware that any one has ever noticed the 7iotch in the anterior tibice, which I think is another distinguishing character, as well as the general formation of the insect ; the size of the notch varies very much in different specimens. This species is also subject to great change of colour. I have one which was taken by Mr. D. Bydder, in Epping Forest, and is entirely of a pale ferruginous broMn. F I haye beaten it from off aquatic plants, in the summer months ; but its most common habitat is moss in damp woods. Species 2. Bryaxis Sanguineus. PUle vii, fig. 3. Specific Character. Body black and shining, rather short and obtuse. Elytra red. Tho- rax black, ti'ith three foveolcB, joined by a semicircular impressed line. Antennc£ with the last joint nearly obtuse. Synonyms. Bryaxis Sanguineus. Leach, Zool. MSS. vol. iii, p. 85, spec. 2. Pselaplius Sanguineus. Reich. Monog. Pselap. p. 49, tab. ii, fig. 1 1 . Illiger, Kaf. Preuss.i, p. 292. _ . — Paykul, Faun. Suec. iii, p. 363. Mucronatus. Panzer, Faun. Germ. H. Ixxxix, no. 10. Panzer, Krit. Revis. Bd. i, p. 62. PaykuUii. Gyllenhall, RISS. Anthicus Sanguineus. Fab. Syst. Eleuth. i, p. 293, no. 22. Staphylinus Sanguineus. Linn, Syst.Nat. xiii. Gin. i, iv, p. 2029, n. 19. Linn. Act. Ups. 1736, p. 15, no. 12. Linn. Faun. Suec. ed. I, Holm. 1746, p. 194, no. 612. ed. II, Stockh. 1761, p. 232, no. 853. Paykul, Monog. Staphyl. p. 39, no. 29. Oliv. Ins. xlii, tab. 6, fig. 54, (teste Illigero Fabricio et Sturmio) Ross. Faun. Etrusc. ed. Helhv. Mant. p. 444, no. 223. Description. Head black, shining, smooth, and nearly quadrate; with an impressed foveola on each side, between the eyes, and a third in front. Antennae dusky liver colour and pubescent; the 35 first eight joints nearly equal and cylindrical; the last three largest, with the apex nearly obtuse. Palpi pale chesnut brown, and pubescent; the last joint much the largest, and nearly acute. Eyes prominent, granulated, and black. Thorax black, shining, and smooth, a little wider, and longer than the head ; anterior part rounded ; base rather contracted, with three foveolte, joined by a semi- circular impressed line. Elytra red, smooth, and shining, rather more than half the length of the abdomen; with two longitudinal lines on each, one in the centre, the other at the su- ture; the basal margin and the suture of a dusky brown, inclining to black. Abdomen gibbous, black, shining, and very finely pubescent ; the first segment the largest, with tw'o im- pressed hues in the centre, the margin a little reflexed ; apex nearly obtuse. Legs pitchy brown and finely pubescent, long, slen- der, and rather compressed ; tarsi pale chesnut colour. Length about one line and a quarter. Habitat, the same as the preceding species. This species is the Staphylinus Sanguineus of Linncens, Olivier, and Paykul ; but for what reason they placed it in that family is very difficult to determine, unless from the similarity of their habitats, as their forms do not agree in any one respect. It is true they are found in society with numbers of the smaller Staphyliandce, which perhaps might unite them in some degree ; ne- vertheless, the tarsi, and the general form of the insect, would clearly point it out as belonging to a distinct family. This species is very common in many parts of Norfolk. It is subject to great variation of colour in the Elytra, from a bright red to nearly a black. 36 Species 3. Bryaxis Impressus. Plat9 viif fig. 4* Specific Character. Bodt/ black. Elytra obscure red. Thorax blaclt and shining, ivil/i three foveolee. The centre one the smallest. Antennce with the apeor obtuse. Synonyms. Bryaxis Impressus. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p. 86, spec. 3. Pselaphus Impressus. Reichenbach, Monog. p. 58, tab. li, fig. 15. Panzer, Faun. Germ. H. 89, no. 10. Krit. Revis. i, p. 62. Tripunctatus. Kirby,MSS. Description. Head black, shining, and nearly quadrate ; with a large foveola in front, and two smaller between the eyes. Antenna pitchy and obscure, thickly pubescent, about half the length of the body ; the first, second, and last three joints the largest, the apex nearly obtuse. Palpi testaceous and finely pubescent ; about the length of the head. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax black, smooth, very finely pubescent, and nearly globular, a little longer and wider than the head; the base with three round foveolee, the centre one the smallest. Elytra obscure red, finely pubescent, and shining, wider than the thorax, and nearly quadrate, with a line on each side of the suture, and one in the centre of each elytron, beginning at the depressed points at the base ; the suture and margin much darker, and nearly black. Abdomen black, shining, and smooth ; finely pubes- cent ; oval and very obtuse ; the margin a little reflexed. Legs pitchy brown and slender ; tibiae compressed ; tarsi much paler. Length one line. Habitat, moss on marshes, and at the stumps of trees in damp woods. Oi This insect is of much rarer occurrence than the two preceding species, and is also subject to great variation in colour. The prevailing colour is much duller than either Bryaxis Longicortiis or Sanguineus ; but 1 have seen specimens of as bright a red as either of these; and some nearly black. This species is very easily distin- guished from Sangu'ineKs, by tlie three foveolae on the base of the thorax not being united by a line ; also by the Antenncs being more obtuse, and the insect altogether smaller. Species 4. Bri/aocis Fossulatus. Plate viii, fig. I. Specific Character. Pitch-coloured, pubescent, and smooth. Palpi testaceous. Thorax tcitk three foveolce of an equal size. Synonyms. Bryaxis Fossulatus. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p. 86, spec. 4. Tripunctata. Koch, in litt. teste Meg', a Muehlfeld. Pselaphus Fossulatus. Reichenbach, Monog. Psel. p. 54, tab. ii, f. 13. Cruentatus. Knoch. in litt. Fuscipes. Dahl. in litt. Pratensis. 1 ^, , , ™t _ . (• Schucppel. JVlus. Inpunctatus. 3 Ruficornis. Kirby, M.SS. Dkscription. Head pitchy and shining; obtusely triangular and depressed in front, with two foveola? between the eyes. Antenna rather paler than the body, and pubescent; about the length of the head and thoi'ax ; the last joint nearly oval. Palpi as long as the head ; testaceous and pubescent. Eyes prominent, granulated, and black. Thorax pitchy and shhung; smooth and finely pu- 38 bescent ; longer and wider than the head ; rotundated ; the base truncated, with three large foveolge of an equal size. Elytra obscure pitch-colour ; shining, smooth, and pubescent ; nearly quadrate ; wider than the thorax, and about half the length of the abdomen, with a de- pressed curved line from the base of each, and another down each side of the suture. Abdomen shining, smooth, pubescent, and obtuse, with a reflexed margin ; the first segment next the ely- tra the largest, with two depressed lines at the base, in the centre of which is a row of yellowish hairs. Legs much paler than the body ; slender, and finely pubescent. Length rather more than one line. Habitat, moss in damp situations, and sandy places. This species is found in various parts of England, but it is by no means a common insect. I have never found it in any other situation than in moss on the stumps of trees; but my kind friend, Mr. G. Samouelle of London, the author of the Entomologist's Compendium, (a work which has contributed greatly to the advancement of Entomology in Britain), informs me that he has taken it in sandy places, near Bexley. I have a bright ferruginous variety of this insect, which is rare, as the prevailing co- lour is a dark pitchy brown. It was named Rvficornis by the Rev. Wm. Kirby, from the colour of its antennas, which are much brighter in recent specimens, than in those preserved in cabinets. Species 5. Bryaxis Hcematicus. Specific Character. Bright chesnut. Thorax obcordate, ivith three foveolce at the base, the centre one the smallest. 39 Synonyms. Bryaxis Haematicus. Leach, vol. iii, p. 86, spec. 5. Zool. Misc. Pselaplius Reich. Monog. p. 62, spec. 12, tab. ii, f. 12. Rubellus. Mus. Dom. Schueppel. Sans^uineus. IMus. Hiibnerrianum, Dr. Germar. Description. Head nearly triangular ; convex and shining ; rather elevated in the centre, with three punctures ; the largest in front, between the antennae, the other two between the eyes. Antenn.e pale chesnut and pubescent; not quite half the length of the body; the last joint nearly ovate. Palpi pale yellow and finely pubescent; about the length of the head. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax obcordate ; rather longer and wider than the head ; convex and shining, with a few punctures ; the base with three foveolge, the centre one rather the smallest. Elytra nearly quadrate, convex, and finely pubes- cent ; suture a little elevated, with a line on each side, and another from the shoulder, deeply impressed at the base. Abdomen gibbous, smooth, and shining; the first segment much the largest, and elevated, with two im- pressed lines in the centre, and the margin reflexed; the following joints much smaller, with the apex nearly obtuse. Legs obscure chesnut ; thighs thickish ; tibiae com- pressed and slender ; tarsi paler. Length rather more than a line. Habitat, moss on marshes, and in damp woods. The true Hcematiciis is very rare in Britain. The Juncorum is frequently mistaken for this species. But the former is clearly distinguished from the latter, by its form and diminutive size, as well as by the head and thorax being thickly punctured; and the centre foveola at the base of the thorax being excessively small. Some Entomologists, again, have considered them as 40 male and female of the same species ; but this seems very improbable, since a dozen specimens of the Jiin- corum may be taken in the same situation, where not a single Hccmaticus can be discovered ; whereas, in all the other genera of the family, the sexes are observed to occupy, in nearly equal proportions, the same habitat. I am obliged to T. Brightwell, Esq., F.L.S., of Norwich, for the loan of the specimen from which my drawing was made. This insect is also in the cabinets of the British Museum ; J. F. Stephens, Esq., and Mr. J. Curtis. Species 6. Br i/ axis Jimcorum. Plate yiii, 6g. 3. Specific Character. Ferruginous and finely jmbescent. Thorax nearly round, and thickly punctured^ with a large foveola on each side, and one at the base, very minute. Body short and globose. Synonym. Bryaxis Juncorum. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p. Sfi, spec. 6. Description. Head nearly quadrate ; the angles rounded and thickly punctured, with two foveola between the eyes, and a great depression in front. AxTENN.E pale ferruginous, and pubescent ; the first, second, and last, joints large ; the apex obtuse. Palpi pale yellow, and finely pubescent; about the length of the head. Eyes black, prominent, and granulated. Thorax nearly globular ; rather narrowed at the base, and thickly punctured ; with three foveolae, the centre one very minute. Elytra nearly quadrate, and finely pubescent, with a line on each side of the suture, and one from the shoulder deeply impressed at the base. Abdomen contracted, round, convex, and finely pu- 41 bescent; the first segment much the largest, with two depressed lines in the centre, and a row of yellowish hairs ; the margin reflexed ; apex nearly obtuse. Legs ferruginous, pubescent, and slender. Length about a hne. Habitat, moss at the roots of trees, and amongst rushes. This species is fi-equently found at Battersea, and other places near London ; also in different parts of Norfolk, where it is taken in moss which grows amongst rushes and at the roots of trees. Species 7. Bryaxis Nigriventris. Plate vii, £g. Specific Character. Bright ferruginous red. Abdomen black. Thorax globular and cnna ■ lieu late. Elytra with one stria. Synonym. Pselaphiis Nigriventris. Kirby, MS . Description. Head red, thickly punctured, and nearly quadrate ; with an angular depression in front, terminating in two punctures and an oblong foveola in the centre. Antenna ferruginous; short, and thick; finely pu- bescent, with a few long hairs intermixed ; the last joint very lai-ge and acute. Palpi testaceous and pubescent ; the first joint long, and nearly cylindrical ; second short and nearly angular ; third as long as the first two, and very much larger, oblong, and acute. Eyes small, granulated, black, and shining. Thorax red and thickly punctured ; longer and wider than the head ; the anterior part with the angles rounded ; the posterior part contracted ; a deeply impressed longi- tudinal line down the centre, and one on each side, all 4-2 three terminating in punctures at the base, which are also situated in a semicircular line. Elytra bright red, thickly punctured, and shining ; as long as the head and thorax, and spherical, with four depressions at the base, and a line on each side of the suture. Abdomen smooth, black, shining, and spherical; not quite so long as the elytra ; the first segment the largest, with two impressed lines in the centre ; margin reflexed. Legs ferruginous, long, and slender. Length rather more than one line and a half. Habitat, This beautiful species was first discovered by the Rev. W. Kirby, who captured a specimen near Barham in Suffolk. A second was taken by Mr. J. Curtis, of Lon- don, in the New Forest, Hants, in 1823; and the Rev. F. W. Hope captured another at Shrewsbury, in Shrop- shire. This specimen comes very near to Reichenbach's Sulcicollis, at first sight, but differs in the sculpture of the thorax, as well as in colour, the former being of a cinnamon brown. The peculiarity in the formation and proportion of the Palpi in this species might seem to afford sufficient ground for constituting it a new genus. Certainly, had I met with other species bearing the same character, I should have availed myself of them to divide the genus into two distinct sections. Genus VI. PSELAPHUS. Synonyms. Pselaphvs; Herbst: — Pselaphus, fara. i; Reicheabach. Generic Character. Jntennee about half the length of the body, loiTg, slender, and gradually clavated ; the tirst joint long and cylindrical ; the second shorter ; the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, of an equal size, shorter and cylindrical; ninth and tenth larger, and rather angulated ; the eleventh the largest, and elongate, oval, or ovate. Max'dlary Palpi three times as long as the head ; with five joints ,* the first very small ; second long, slender, and gradually clavated; the third about the same length, and clavated at both ends ; fourth small, and nearly oval ; fifth Aery long and clavated; the clava pyriform. Elytra nearly triangular, and about half the length of the Abdomen. Species 1. Pselaphus HerhstU. Plale ix, fig. Specific Character. Tliorax elongated; nearly cylindrical ; smooth and shining. Abdomen triangular, dark chesnut, and slightly pubescent. Synonyms. Pselaphus Herbstii. Reichenl). IMonog. Psel. p. 25, tab. i, f. 1. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p 87, spec. 1. Heisii, ^ ? Herbst. Kiif. iv, p. 110, tab. xxxix, f. 10. Brevipalpis, ^. Schrank. Fn. Boic. i, 438. * I am not aware that any precedina; writer has detected five joints in tlie Maxillary Palpi of this genus. Reichcnbach, Leach, and others describe liem as having only three. 44 Description. Head longer than broad; the anterior part with a longitudinal furrow, and bifid ; the front impressed ; the vertex convex, smooth, and shining. Antenna darkish chesnut and pubescent; rather more than half the length of the body ; the first and second joints long and cylindrical ; the following six nearly equal in size, and much smaller ; ninth and tenth neai'ly triangular, and larger; the eleventh the largest, elongated, and ovate. Palpi pale yellow, and pubescent ; nearly three times the length of the head ; the clava at the apex nearly oval. Eyes large, prominent, granulated, and black. Thorax longer than the head, and nearly cylindrical ; smooth and shining; anterior and posterior parts nar- rowed and nearly equal. Elytra dark chesnut and shining ; longer than the thorax ; nearly triangular and convex, with a longitudi- nal line on each side of the suture, and another at the shoulder arched and entire ; the apex thickly covered with yellowish inflexed hairs. Abdomen twice as long as the thorax; smooth and shining ; the first segment the largest, with a few yellow- ish hairs; the margin at the sides very broad and re- flexed ; the following much shorter. Legs bright chesnut and pubescent ; longer than the abdomen ; thighs, tibiae, and tarsi, rather slender. Length a little exceeding one line. Habitat, moss on the stumps of trees in damp woods, and on marshes. This species is by no means so common as Heisei. I, however, generally take one or two every year, at Lod- don and Woodbastwick. Reichenbach mentions a spe- cimen being taken under a stone near Berne, in Switzer- land. 45 Species 2. Pselaphus Heisel. Hate ix, (li- 2. Specific Character. Dark chesnut, and shining. Thorax narroiced before and behind, and much dilated in the middle. Body elongated. Thighs nry thick. Synonyms. Pselaphus Heisei. Reichenbacli, Monog-. p. 28, tab. i, fig. 2. Herbst. Kaf. iv, p. 109, no. 1, tab. xxxix, fig. 9. a a. Schrauk. Faun. Boic i, 438. Latr. Gen. Crust, et Insect, iii, p. 76, spec. I . Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. iii, p. 87, spec. 2. GracilicoUis. Dahl. in litt. Eyrygaster. Beck, in litt. Description. Head elongated ; the anterior part narrowed ; depres- sed and bifid, with a longitudinal furrow in the centre ; the vertex convex and shining, with two small globular and hairy elevations between the eyes. Antenna dull chesnut and pubescent; about half the length of the body, and rather thick ; the last joint very large, and a little produced on one side. Palpi pale chesnut and pubescent; three times the length of the head ; the clava oblong. Eyes black, granulated, and prominent. Thorax longer than the head, and wider ; narrowed at both ends, and much dilated in the middle ; shining, smooth, and convex ; the anterior part with two short impressed lines, nearly obsolete. Elytra longer than the thorax, and considerably wider ; triangular, smooth, shining, and finely pubescent ; with a line on each side of the suture, and another from each shoulder deeply impressed. Abdomen very long and narrow ; more than twice the length of the thorax ; the first joint much the larges-t, and convex, with the margin reflexed ; the three others smaller; apex a little produced. 46 Legs light chesnut and pubescent ; the thighs very thick ; tibiae compressed ; tarsi slender and yellowish. Length about one line and a quarter. Habitat, the same as the preceding species. This seems the commonest species of Pselaphus we have in Norfolk. It is distinguished from Herbstu by its more elongated form, and the width of the thorax; the antennae and legs are also much thicker. Species 3. Pselaphus LongicolUs. Plale x,fig. I. Specific Character. Jjark chesnut and shining. Thorax nearly oval ; the base with two semicircular lines, joined by a puncture in the centre. Synonyms. Pselaphus Longicolli^. Reich. Monog'. Pselap. p. 30, t. I, fig. 3. . Dahl. inlitt. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. 3, p. 87, spec. 3- Anthicus Dresdensis. Panz. Faun. Germ. Fasc. 98, no. 1. Description. Head nearly as broad as the thorax, and shorter than in the preceding species ; anterior part producted and de- pressed, with two impressed punctures between the eyes. Antenna pale and pubescent ; half the length of the body ; the first and three last joints the largest ; apex ovate ; the intermediate ones equal and slender. Palpi pale ferruginous, and finely pubescent ; three times the length of the head ; the clava at the apex ob- liquely truncated. Eyes black, granulated, and prominent. Thorax longer than the head, and a little wider; oval, convex, and smooth, with a few hairs ; the anterior part with two obliqvie impressed lines ; the base with two curved lines, joined in the centre by a puncture. Elytra nearly triangular, convex, smooth, and shin- ing; the margin at the sides a little elevated ; the de- 47 clivity at the apex thickly punctured ; the posterior margin covered with yellowish inflexed hairs. Abdomen broad ; the first segment much the largest; the margin at the sides reflexed ; apex obtuse. LEGSchesnut, pubescent, and shining; thighs thickisli ; tibiae compressed ; tarsi slender. Length rather more than one line. Habitat the same as with the preceding species. This species is rare in England. The specimen from which my drawing was made, was captured at Horning, in Norfolk, by my respected friend Mr. R. Wigham of Norwich, an indefatigable collector of British Insects and Plants. This is the only specimen of it in Norfolk, and is now in the cabinet of Mr. J. Sparshall. Species 4. Pseluphiis Dresdensis. Plate X, «g. Specific Character. Pitchy black and pubescent. Thorax angulated ; the base trith n semicircular impressed line. Synonyms. Pselaphus Dresdensis. Reichenb. Monog.Pselaph.p.32,t.i, fig.4. Leach, Zool. Misc. vol. 3, p. R7> spec. 4. Herbst. Kaf. iv, p. 110, no. 2, tab. xxxix, fig. ll,etB. Hiesii. Payk. Faun. Sueci. ii, p. 361, no. 11. Anthicus Dresdensis. Fabric. Syst. Eleuth. vol. i, no. 23, p. 293 Description. Head oval; the anterior part slender; lengthened, and very much depressed ; the back part rounded. Antennae dull liver colour and pubescent; rather more than half the length of the body, and slender ; the last joint lanceolate-ovate. Palpi yellowish brown, and finely pubescent ; about twice as lon2D^^'f^ M 'i -^^'^- ■ WRm OF THE OF THE OFTME 6 OF im o:^^ -Qj^^jmni/ OF THE ^3»m^cbi^S^'' OF THE ■I.' U8RA1!Y OF THE ,^^^pca3rx3coo(2;7 '■ OF THE iO OF THE // OF THE OFTWE OF THE OF THE Ml»*"- . t^ipt^ j^j%\I^^^^}if':':^^^ t, \''!ii\ ^''vi'i/-^^. r • ! i