INSECTA MADERENSIA. 193 



of eye (which is likewise carried out, in almost every respect except iti position, in 

 Cholovocera) is of extremely rare occurrence in the Coleoptera : and since- the 

 sides of the head entii-ely intercept it fi-om below, it follows that the insect must 

 be incapable of perceiving what is immediately beneath it; and it would be 

 interesting therefore to inquii-e whether its habits are in any way modified so as 

 to meet this restricted arrangement for vision. In a certain degree this apparent 

 deficiency has been compensated for by the great convexity of the eye, the remote 

 lenses of which are so adjusted as to form somewhat of a cone, which thus not 

 only gives the creature a more extended horizon, but causes also objects which are 

 placed at merely a very short distance from it to come within its field of view. I 

 tliink it far fi'om unlikely however that it is a native of Ants' nests, or at least 

 subterraneous in its propensities, — the single example which has hitherto been 

 detected being in all probability a chance specimen, astray from its legitimate 

 haimts ; in which case, many of the above-mentioned irregularities become, if not 

 actually intelligible, at any rate in accordance vriih. what experience tells us that 

 under such cii-cumstances we may, in some measure, expect. 



In my dissection of this minute insect, I have unfortxmately failed to detect the 

 mandibles : but the remaining particulars of its structiu'e will more than suffice to 

 point out its a ffini ties, — if indeed there could, even a priori, have been any doubt 

 regarding them. 



155. Metophthalmus asperatus, WoU. (Tab. IY. fig. 4.) 



M. parallelo-subovatus rufus, capite prothoraceque rugosis insequalibus, illo subacuminato-porrecto in 

 fronte binodoso utrinque costato necnon ad latera serrato, hoc ad latera serrato rotundato et late 

 complanato, pone medium transversim impresso, in dorse convexo sed in media parte ipsa longi- 

 tudinaliter concavo, elytris rufo-piceis profunda punctato-striatis, sutm-a interstitiisque alternis 

 valde elevatis. 



Long. Corp. lin. vix |-. 



Habitat Maderam borealem sylvaticam, ad Lombo dos Pecegueiros d. 22 Jul. a.d. 1850 a meipso 

 repertus. 



M. elongate-ovate, narrow, somewhat acuminated anteriorly, rufous, and a little shining. Head and 

 prothorax rough, and very uneven : the former elongated, and considerably acuminated in front j 

 crenulatedj or more strictly perhaps serrated, at the edges ; with an elevated and slightly curved 

 ridge on either side from the inner margin of the eye to the insertion of the antenna, and 

 another, almost straight and less evident one (being perceptible only beneath a high magnifying 

 power), between it and the lateral edge, and extending from the antenna to the outer margin of 

 the eye ; the forehead with two very abbreviated strise (forming minute nodules) in the centre, — 

 which are nearly confluent at their commencement, but which diverge outwards, in the direction 

 of the mouth, and enclose within their angle a minute rounded impression somewhat resembling 

 an ocellus ; eyes minute, and extremely convex, — placed on the upper surface of the head, the 

 lateral margins of which project sensibly beyond them. Prothorax regularly rounded and crenu- 



2 c 



