390 INSECTA MADEREXSIA. 



clavatis : tibiis subrectis latis compressis breviusculis, anterioribus ad apicem externum in uncum 

 parvum acutum decun'um productis, sed posticis (VIII. 5 c) simplicibus («'. e. baud uncinatis) : 

 tarsis pilosis, sed baud setosis. 



Ab i-xlvo<; echinus, et croifjM corpus. 



Thi'oughout all the Madeiran Curculionidce there is perhaps no form more 

 anomalous than that which is displayed by the singular insect from which the 

 above diagnosis has been compiled. Its natm-al position in the family is indeed at 

 first sight anything but apparent, its outward contour calling so forcil)ly to mind 

 some of the members (such as Trachodes and Acalles) of the 3Iecorhynchi, as to 

 render it doubtful whether it should not be rather referred to that di\ision. Still, 

 in its misshapen rostrum and in the subapical insertion of its antennae, it is, even 

 as regards its primary featui'es, better identified mth the Brachyrhynchi ; and, after 

 a careful consideration of the various points of its structure, I have but little doubt 

 that it is correctly associated with the Byrsopsides of Schonherr, — with which in 

 the ciu"vatm*e and situation of its lateral scrobs, in its inflexed rostrum (which is 

 capable of being compactly lodged, dui-ing repose, against its cliest), in its ovate 

 outline, squamose and imeven sm-face, as well as in its obsolete scutellum and 

 freedom from wings, it entirely agrees. Nevertheless, although thus far coincident 

 with the representatives of that subfamily, there is at the same time no indication 

 of the pectoral groove which is there more or less expressed, — whilst in its excess- 

 ively setose body and cm'ious antennte it offers characters essentially its own. 

 These last in fact are of a very unusual nature, and should be especially noticed, — 

 being not only remarkably slender, as compared ^vith the general robustness of the 

 insect (and particularly of its legs), but having theu' funiculus composed of Jive 

 joints only, whilst the extremely long, thick and svibsetiform ap2)endages \\\i\\ 

 which the lower edge of its scape is fringed are altogether unparalleled in any 

 other genus with which I am acquainted. Upon the whole, however, it has so 

 much more in common with the Byrsopsides than wdth any other recognised por- 

 tion of the Ctirculionidce, that I have no hesitation in locating it there, — a station 

 which is the more plausible in the present instance, as happening to bring it into 

 du'cct contact Anth the Cyclomideous Trachyphlcei, to which prima facie it is 

 somewhat akin. Its habits would appear to be precisely those of Acalles, -vA-ith 

 which it is principally foimd in company, — and from 'which, when its rostrum is 

 closely applied against its prosternum, it is not easy without examination to 

 distinguish it. 



303. Echinosoma porcellus, WoU. (Tab. Till. fig. 5.) 

 E. ovatum, squamis fuscis robustis setisque valde rigidis erectis undique densissime tectum, pro- 

 thorace in medio transversim sctoso-fasciculato, clytris profundc subpunctato-striatis mox pone 

 basin transversim setoso-fasciculatis, fasciis duabus (so. media et postmedia) per suturam inter- 



