248 INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



longitudinal impressions in front ; with the eyes prominent : the latter widest about the middle. 



Elytra rugulose (but not very coarsely so) and subpunctate ; usually expanded behind. Antenna 



at base (rarely at the apex also), and the legs rufo-testaceous. 

 Male, usually greener than the female ; with the antenna;, also, a little longer ; and with the femora 



(especially the four hinder ones) generally more or less infuscated. 

 Female, generally more aeneous, or else more coppeiy, than the male ; with the antenna; a little 



shorter ; and with the legs usually altogether pale, their femora being rarely infuscated. 

 Var. /9. with the head and prothorax (of both sexes, though especially of the female) more closely 



and coarsely punctured : and likewise subgranulate, particularly towards the sides. 



Known readily from the foUofldng members of the genus by its usually more 

 brilliant colour (the greenish lustre, which is seldom very apparent on either of its 

 Madeii-an allies, being here, especially in the male sex, often exceedingly con- 

 spicuous), and by its brighter and less roughened sm-face, — the closely-set granules 

 which are so evident on the head and prothorax of the P. rugosus and rostratus 

 being represented by distant punctures (even though in extreme varieties a ten- 

 dency to tubercles, at any rate towards the sides, may be occasionally detected). 

 In its broad head and prominent eyes it approaches the former of those species 

 more nearly than the latter ; so much so indeed, that aberrant females (where 

 granulations are slightly indicated) might sometimes be mistaken, jr/'imd facie, 

 for those of the P. rugosits : nevertheless, the rather larger size and more apicaliy- 

 expanded form, in conjunction with their convexer head (which has two deep 

 longitudinal impressions in front), more shining, metallic body, and fainter sculp- 

 ture, will always serve, on inspection, to separate them from that insect. It 

 recedes from it very decidedly, moreover, even in its habits ; being confined 

 exclusively to the mountains, and ranging from about the altitude of 2500 feet to 

 the highest peaks. It would seem also (as in fact its alpine natvu-e Avould lead us 

 to expect) to come into existence later in the season than the P. rugosiis, occui-ring 

 pecidiarly during the summer months. It is more especially abundant within the 

 sylvan districts, and is much attached to the flowers of the Cineraria aurita 

 {=Senecio Madcrensis, De Cand.), which hang in clusters over the damp rocks of 

 intermediate and lofty elevations. I have captvu-ed it on the Lombo das Vacas, in 

 June ; at the Cruzinhas, the Fanal, the llibeiro de Joao Delgada, and the Lombo 

 dos Pecegueiros, in July ; and at the Ribeu'O Frio, in August. "Whilst encamped 

 on the summit of the Pico Ruivo (6100 feet above the sea) in August of 1850, I 

 observed it rather commonly during the heat of the day, — at Avhich time it Avas 

 exceedingly active witli its wings, flying rapidly from flower to flower ; especially 

 those of the Erica cinerea, which attain to such perfection on that remote upland 

 tract. The Pico Uuivan specimens have their femora almost invariably dusky, — a 

 state which I have generally remarked to be the excejition, rather than the rule, 

 in lower regions. As would appear to be the case with most insects, the greater 

 the altitude at which it occurs the moi-e ready it is as regards flight, — the rarefied 

 atmosphere seeming to invest it with additional strength. 



