INSECTA MADERENSIA. 147 



apud cl. Dom. Heer, Turici, dicitur, qui plurima specimina ad Gorgulho, necnon etiam in ipsa 

 lu'be, mensibus Januario et Februario a.d. 1851 detexit. 



C. broad, parallel-oblong (the outline of the head, prothorax and elytra being nearly continuous) , 

 much flattened (especially at the sides), ferruginous or of a somewhat pale chestnut hue, spotless, 

 and very slightly shining, — the surface appearing beneath the microscope to be densely beset 

 with an excessively minute and short decumbent cinereous pubescence, which gives the entire 

 insect a peculiar kind of opacity, or, more strictly perhaps, bloom, which is perceptible even to 

 the naked eye. Head large and semicircular, almost flat, the margin (especially towards the 

 hinder angles) a little elevated, impressed on either side at the base with a small oblique longi- 

 tudinal line, occupying the positions of the eyes, which are apparently quite obsolete, — although 

 it is just possible that they may be imperfectly develoj)ed, and concealed within these depressions. 

 Prothorax large, transverse-quadrate, much flattened at the sides, and obtusely keeled down the 

 centre of its disk, — also with three smaller, very delicate carina?, or raised strise, on either side of 

 this central elevation. Elytra, likewise, keeled along the suture and much flattened laterally, 

 but v!'ii\\ four delicately raised carinas on either side, — instead of three. Antenna and kffs con- 

 colorous with, or perhaps a little paler than, the remainder of the surface. 



Apparently extremely rare, — or, at any rate, local ; and, from its peculiar habits, 

 somewhat difficult to obtain. A single example was first discovered by myself, on 

 the 8th of May 1848, beneath a stone on the flat ledge of ground immediately above 

 the Praya Eormoza, near Funchal, — the only specimen in fact which I have hitherto 

 taken. It is to the researches of Professor Heer of Zurich that we are indebted 

 for a knowledge of its habits, who informs me that he has captiu'ed it in the nests 

 of CEcophtliora pusilla both at the Gorgulho and even in Punchal itself. Having 

 collected a portion of the earth in which the nests of that ant were situated, and 

 having carefully placed it in his house va. Funchal, he states that he used fre- 

 quently to observe a specimen of Cossyphodes adhering to the small loose stones 

 which he had allowed to remain on the surface. But, even when thus sought 

 after in its legitimate position, it would seem to be far from common, since Pro- 

 fessor Heer, dui-ing his winter's residence in the island, did not obtain, I believe, 

 more than seven or eight examples iu all. It runs with such prodigious velocity 

 that more than ordinary dexterity is required in securing it, — which, for a hlind 

 insect (if indeed its eyes be in reality altogether wanting, as would certainly 

 appear to be the case) is very remarkable. 



Genus 50. PLCEOSOMA*, WoU. (Tab. IX. fig. 9.) 



Cm-pus parvum ellipticum glabervimum : capite in cavo prothoracico usque ad oculos immerso : pro- 

 thorace postice lato elytris arete applicato : abdomine ex segmentis ventralibus quinque composito, 

 segmento basali amplo : scutello distincto subtriangulari : alls obsoletis. Antenna (IX. 9 a) 

 breviusculse (capitis prothoracisque vix longitudine) distantes capitatse, articulo primo robusto 



* Genus Ceryloni aifinitate proximum, sed labro bilobo valde membranaceo, tibiis siibcurvatis excalca- 

 ratis, alis obsoletis, necuou forma \\x punctata elliptica ab eo sat distiuctum videtiu". 



u2 



