302 INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



must not look to the particulars which we have been accustomed to do in others 

 for generic distinctions, — Avhich is probably indeed the reason why, in the immense 

 province of the CitrcuHonidm to which we are now approaching, the details of the 

 mouth have been hitherto by all naturalists universally neglected. The truth 

 however is, that the differences which they present inter se are comparatively so 

 triWal, that we are di-iven to place less confidence in them than in points simply 

 external ; — and of all these, next to the development of the rostnun (which, as 

 might naturally be expected in a department where the prolongation of the head 

 is the main feature, must rank first in importance), perhaps the proi^rtions of the 

 antennae and tibiae, in conjunction with the general outward contour, are, as 

 regards constancy, the most to be relied upon. And so it is with the genera of 

 the Hylesinidce, which, almost identical as they are in every respect with Ehyn- 

 nolus, and other inciiiient Curculionideous forms, derive their most essential cha- 

 racteristics from these special portions of their body, — the modifications of wliich 

 are here also of primary significance. 



228. Hylurgus ligniperda. 



H. subcylindi"icus (antice subacuminatus) elongatus niger subnitidus et pilis longissimis moUibus 

 vestitus, prothorace elongato profunde et insequaliter punctatOj elytris subpicescentibus creber- 

 rime rugosis et obscure subpunctato-striatis, ad apicem obliquo-truncatis, femoribus tibiisque 

 piceis, antcnnis tarsisque ferrugineis. 



Long. cor]i. lin. 3-3j. 



Bostriclnts tigniperda, Fab. Ent. Syst. i. ii. 367 (1702). 



Hylesintts , Gvll. Ins Suec. iii. 335 (1813). 



Hylurgus , Erich, in Wicgm. ArcJiiv, i. 52 (1836). 



Hylesinus , Eatz. Forsf-Ins. Kaf. pi. ^■iii. fig. 9 (1839). 



Habitat in montibus ^ladcrse, pr?esertim in pinetis inter 1800' et 2500' s. m. sitis, hinc inde \'nlgaris : 

 inter lignum recenter sectum ad Curral das Romeiras sero autunino a.d. 184-7 copiosissime 

 observavi. 



H. elongated, subcylindrical (and slightly acuminated anteriorly), very obscurely shining, pitchy- 

 black, and somewhat densely clothed with a long and fine pubescence. Head broad and ])ro- 

 duced ; closely and rather roughly punctm-ed, but without any appearance of a central ridge. 

 Prot/ioj-ax more deeply, unequally, but not quite so closely punctured as the head ; somewhat 

 acuminated and constricted (thoiigh very slightly produced) iu front ; and with a very obscurely 

 raised impxmclate central keel. Elytra a little more piceous than the prothorax, and with the 

 pubescence shorter and more dense ; closely and exceedingly rugidose, and obscurely punctate- 

 striated ; obliquely truncated at their extremity. Legs piceous, except the tarsi, which, with the 

 antenna, are ferruginous. 



A very local insect in Madeira, and perhaps introduced fi-om more northern 

 latitudes with the various species of fii' whicli are now so largely cultivated on the 

 mountains towards the soutliern and eastern districts of the island. In the cxten- 



