INSECTA MADERENSIA. 9 



theless, since they are fixed, those naturalists who do not believe in geographical 

 iufluence, might choose to consider them of sufficient importance to erect a new 

 species upon. But after a careful comparison of this Avitli other insects similarly . 

 circumstanced, I am convinced that the modifications in question are merely local 

 ones, and such as may he reasonably accounted for by the combined agencies of 

 latitude and isolation, and the consequently altered habits of the creatm-e, which is 

 thus compelled to seek alpine localities in Ueu of its natural ones : — observations 

 which I have been induced to enter into here somewhat at length, as likely to 

 apply in numerous other cases hereafter to be considered. 



7. Dromius negrita, WolL 

 D. atei- vel obscurissime subijeneo-ater, capite majore, prothorace subquadrato, elytris obsolete stnatis- 

 Long. Corp. liu. 1|. 

 Habitat ad vias vel sub lapidibus Maderfe, autumno sat frequens. 



D. deep black, or with a very obscure aeneous tinge, shining. Head rather large and broad. Pru- 

 thorax subquadrate, rounded behind, with a deep central channel. Elytra very obscurely striated. 

 TVmgs small. 



Known from the B. ohsmrocjuttatus by its smaller size, darker and more flat- 

 tened siu'face, and by the entke absence of pale patches, whether at the shoulders 

 or elsewhere. It is very nearly allied to the follo^\dng species, but may be distin- 

 guished from it by its somewhat larger bulk, more robust head and prothorax, the 

 latter of which is not quite so much narrowed behind as in that insect, and by its 

 elytral striae, although obsciu-e, being sufficiently apparent. It is tolerably abun- 

 dant throughout Madeii-a, between the Limits of about from 1000 to 3000 feet 

 above the sea ; and it may be frequently observed darting rapidly across pathways, 

 or in grassy spots amongst dead leaves, in company with the D. glahratiis. In the 

 pine-woods of the Curral das Romeii-as, above Funchal, I took it very plentifuUy 

 during the autumn of 18i7 ; and, subsequently, at the Ribeii-o Frio in August. 



8. Dromius glabratus. 



D. angustus ater vel obscure subicneo-ater, capite minore, prothorace subcordato, elytns Isevibus. 



Long. corp. liu. 1^;. 



Lebia r/lahrata, (Meg.) Duft. Fna Austr. ii. 248 (1812). 

 Dromius glabratus, Dej. Spec, des Col. i. 244 (1825). 



, Stcph. III. Brit. Ent. i. 25 (1828). 



, Heer, Fna Col. Heh. 11 (1841). 



Habitat bine inde sub lapidibus vel ad vias in insulis Maderse, Portus Sancti, ac Desertse Grandis, toto 

 anno frequens. 



D. deep black, or with an obscure seneous tinge, exceedingly shining. Head slightly smaller and 

 narrower than in the last species. Prothorax short, subcordate, a little smaller than in the D. iie- 



C 



