454 INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



(though not the less important ones) in the other particulars of its structure which 

 coml)ine to render its isolation the more obvious. Thus, its antennae recede from 

 those of that genus in having their terminal joint (as in Haltica and its allies) 

 oljliquely acuminated at the extremity, and in the eighth one not being smaller 

 than the seventh (which is worthy of notice, since its perceptibly diminished size in 

 Mniophila has been supposed by some naturalists to imply an approach towards 

 the AnisotomidcB) ; its outer maxillary lobe also is less evidently palpiform ; all its 

 tibiae are spiu-less (whereas the hinder pair m.3I)H0phiJ((, as in the other saltatorial 

 Phytophagous groups, are ai-med with a strong apical spine) ; and the basal articu- 

 lation of its four anterior male feet is greatly dilated. In their labra, mandibles 

 and palpi, however, the genera are almost coincident. In external contour it has 

 very much the appearance of a Ilniophila, except that it is somewhat larger, con- 

 siderably acuminated at the anal region, and is even stUl more polished and 

 glal)rous, — there being scarcely any traces of sculpture, except under a high 

 microscopic power (whereas in that genus the upper siu-face, although sparingly, 

 is deeply punctui-ed). The two insects together may be considered as establishing 

 a very natm-al passage between the Galernciclce and Chrysomelidce ; for, Avhilst 

 Mniophila, on account of its jumping habits, is properly associated \di]i the 

 former, — Jliiiojihilosoma, on the other hand, is more correctly referred to the 

 latter. In their general details indeed (as, for instance, their slightly clavated, 

 basally subdistant antcnnte, and theii' thickened, convex and remarkably glossy 

 bodies) both are perhaps more related to the C/n^t/soDielldce thanto the Galerucidce : 

 nevertheless Mniophila is retained (albeit at the extremity) in the first, since its 

 capability of bounding is clearly the most significant featui-e which it possesses, and 

 must therefore take the precedence of all others; but 3LiiophUosoma, which does 

 not exhilnt this peculiarity, finds its true location at the commencement of the 

 second. 



348. Mniophilosoma laeve, WoU. (Tab, IX. fig. 8.) 



M. suljurbiculato-ovatum valde convexum politissimum subviridescenti-nigrum et fere impunctatum, 

 elytris apice conjunctim acuminatis ferrugincis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis. 

 Mas paulo minor, tarsis anterioribus articulo primo dilatato. 

 Long. Corp. lin. |-^. 



Habitat in niontibus Madera;, praiscrtim per regiouem sylvaticam, sub lapidibus, cortice arboruui, vol 

 inter lichenes, toto anno passim. 



M. suborbiculatc-ovate, exceedingly convex, very highly polished, perfectly glabrous, and, to the naked 

 eye, impunctate (though under a strong lens minute and distant punctures are just perceptible) ; 

 black, with more or less of a greenish tinge. Head sometimes rufescent between the eyes. Elytra 

 conjointly acuminated at their extreme apex (which, however, on account of the great convexity 

 of the body, is almost concealed from view), where they are more or less ferruginous, or dull 



