lOG INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



Sectio IV. NECROPHAGA. 

 Fam. 7. SILPHID^. 



Gemis 39. CATOPS. 

 PaykuU, Fna Suec. i. 342 (1798). 



Corpus minusculum, plus minusve ovatum, subtilissime pubescens : prothorace magno convexo, basi 

 lato, angulis posticis acutis : alis amplis. Antenna capitis prothoracisque longitudine, apicem 

 versus leviter incrassatae, articulo octavo contigiiis paulo minore, ultimo ad apicem ipsum acuto. 

 Labrum transversum, antice leviter emarginatum. Mandibulce cornc;e acutae, apicem versus 

 unidentatfc. Maxilla bilobse : lobo externa lineari, apice truncato : interno paulo breviore, ungue 

 cornco terminali munito. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo conico acuminato : labiales breves, 

 articulo ultimo ovato. Mentum transverso-quadratum. Ligula profunde biloba. Pedes elongati 

 graciles : fciiioribus anticis in maribus interdum dente obscuro obtuso subtus armatis : tarsis 

 anticis in maribus articulis tribus subdilatatis. 



A single member of the present genus is the only representative of the entire 

 SilphklcB wliich I have hitherto been able to detect in the Madeira Islands. 

 Strictly spcaldug, it falls under Ftomophagiis of lUiger ; but the distinctive 

 characteristics of that group are so trifling, — depending almost exclusively on 

 the shorter antennae, the more acute hinder prothoracic angles, and the less 

 evidently striated elytra of the insects which compose it, — that they can scarcely 

 be regarded, at the utmost, as of more than sectional importance. In theu* habits, 

 the species of Cotops arc exceedingly active, and reside, for the most part, beneath 

 decaying vegetable substances, and stones ia damp, sylvan spots. 



84. Catops velox. 



C. obovatus fuscus, prothorace diluto-ferrugineo, elytris plus minusve nigrescentibus, singulo stria 



suturali impresso, antennarum basi pedibusque ferrugineis. 

 Long. Corp. lin. H. 



Ckoleva velox, Spence, Linn. Trans, xi. 154 (1809). 

 Ptomophagus velox, Steph. ///. Brit. Ent. iii. 6 (1830). 

 Catops velox, Erich. Kaf. der Mark Brand, i. 243 (1837). 



Habitat in Madera sylvatica excclsii, rarissime; — ad Ribeiro Frio sub stipitibus madidis propc 

 marginem aqufc ductus " Lcvada " Lusitanice dicti jacentibus tempore veruali captus. 



C. obovate (being rather acuminated behind), obscure rusty-brown (when immature, almost ferru- 

 ginous), very slightly shining, and densely clothed throughout with a minute yellowish pile. 

 Prol/wrax dull ferruginous, and very convex. Elytra darker than the prothorax, and generally 

 a little darker than the head also, — being more or less of a blackish-brown ; each with a deeply 



