298 INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



districts of rather lofty altitudes. I have captured it on the Lombo das Vacas in 

 June, at the Lombo dos Pecegueiros in July, and at the Feijaa de C6i"te and the 

 Ribeiro Frio in August. The var. (3. (which is smaller and of a paler hue) descends 

 lower, — the only spot in Avliich I have hitherto detected it being the chestnut- 

 woods of Santa Anna, where I took it in great profusion (by brushing the long 

 grass in the vineyard of Senhor Louiz Acciaioly) dm'ing May and June of 1850. 



225. Leiparthrum curttun, Woll. 

 Im. brevi-cylindricum ferrugineum et pilis rigidis vestitum, prothorace amplissimo, tuberculis (sc. 



duobus mox infra apicem minutis, sed reliquis fere obsoletis) obsito, elytris rugulosis obscure 



substriato-punctatis, antennis pedibusque fere concoloribus. 

 Long. Corp. lin. i. 



Habitat Maderam australem, — in horto Loweano prope Funchal, per aerem volitans, mense Februario 

 A.D. 1848 a meipso deprehensum. 



Ij. shorter, and proportionably thicker, than the L. bituberculatum, pale ferruginous, and with the 

 pubescence and sculpture the same as in that insect. Prothorax comparatively somewhat larger 

 (being greatly developed) ; with the two anterior tubercles a little smaller than in that species, 

 and with the scattered ones behind them exceedingly minute and scarcely perceptible ; the front 

 portion also darker, — leaving the hinder margin very broadly pale. Elytra short ; rounded and 

 entire at their extremity. Antennie and legs concolorous with (or perhaps slightly darker than) 

 the elytra. 



Possessing but a single example of this very minute insect, I should not have 

 been inclined to have retained it as distinct from the preceding one, had not the 

 examination of an extensive series of that species failed in detecting any interme- 

 diate links (in size, colour or proportions) to unite the two forms ; and if indeed 

 the present individual be a normal representative of its race (and there is no reason 

 to suspect the contrary), there cannot be the slightest doubt as to its specific 

 claims. In its habits moreover it woixld appear to be different ; for, whilst I have 

 never observed the L. bituberculatum except in the north of the island, or below 

 the altitude of 2000 feet, — my unique specimen of the L. curtum was captured in 

 the south, and in a position but slightly elevated above the coast ; a fact which, 

 from the analogy of other insects similarly cii'ciunstanced, would go far a priori to 

 render its identity with the former at any rate improbable. Assuming therefore 

 the above description to be imiversaUy applicable, the L. curtum may be at once 

 recognised from the L. bituberculatum by its smaller size, shorter and proportion- 

 ably broader form, paler hue, and by its more developed prothorax, — the last of 

 which, being only dark in front, has its hinder margin very much more broadly 

 pale than is the case even in the var. /3. of the latter. My unique example was 

 taken, on the wing, in the Eev. R. T. Lowe's garden, near Funchal, during 

 February 184..8. 



