INSECTA MADERENSIA. 271 



than those of any of the other varieties ; also rather longer (especially the former, which are per- 

 haps a little more gradually incrassated towards their apex) and more robust, and almost free 

 from scales. 



I believe the present Ftinus to be truly distinct from the P. albopictus, never- 

 theless it must be admitted that it approaches it very closely. It is however much 

 smaller than the Madeiran form of that species, as also somewhat less spherical 

 and a little less shortened at its apex ; and its antennae and legs (especially the 

 former) are proportionably a trifle longer and more robust. It is possible indeed 

 that it may be but a state of the P. albopictus ; nevertheless, since I possess so 

 large a series of that insect, and have connected its numerous modifications in all 

 the islands in which I have hitherto observed it, and (which is more particularly 

 important) since the P. longicornis differs materially, both in size and outline, as 

 well as in the length and proportions of its antennae, from the Madeiran variety of 

 the P. albopictus, I have not hesitated in retaining it as separate. It appears to 

 be widely distributed over the island, although nowhere very abundant, — attaining 

 its maxhnum however in the moist ra\TJies of intermediate altitudes. Thus, I 

 have captured it at the Ribeiro Frio in August, at the Lombo dos Pecegueiros in 

 July (especially by brushing the rank grass and fern towards the edges of tlie 

 Ribeiro do Inferno), in the chestnut-woods of Santa Anna during June, in the 

 dead stump of a tree on the Pico do Cardo (to the north-west of Fuuchal) during 

 the early spring ; and, on one occasion, even close to Punchal itself, — namely, in 

 the Rev. R. T. Lowe's garden at the Levada. 



B. AnteniKB hasi distantes, articuUs ultimo et penultimo rohnstis, clavam efficientihus. 



207. Ptinus fragilis, Woll. 



P. ater, squamis albidis (praesertim in capite prothoraceque) incrustatis, elytris subquadrato-rotundatis 

 punctatis (punctis distinctis et parum crebris), an tennis pedibusque fragilibus subpicescentibus 

 sed vix squamosis. 



Long. corp. lin. |-^. 



Habitat in Portu Saucto et Deserta Grandi, inter lichenes in rupium fissuris nascentes, a vere novo 

 usque ad sestatem vulgaris. 



P. deep black, and more or less incrusted (especially on the head and proihorax, on the latter of which 

 they are often dense) with pui-e white scales. Prothorax slightly rounded at the sides, and 

 widest behind the middle. Elytra rather less spherical than in the preceding species, and with a 

 slight tendency to be somewhat quadrate (the anterior angles being less rounded-off) ; very 

 convex, and punctured (the punctures being sufficiently distinct, and tolerably close together ; 

 and without any tendency to be disposed in rows) ; just perceptibly pubescent, and apparently 

 but very sparingly clothed with scales, — though, these latter being of a very deciduous nature, 

 it is possible that fresh and recently developed specimens might possess them to a greater extent. 

 Antennae and tarsi shorter than in any of the other species, and remarkably fragile, slightly 



