478 INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



from Arthrolips. In its general contour and extremely cursorial habits,, it is a 

 genus wliicli has much the appearance, at first sight, of an Acrutriclds, or Tri- 

 chopteryx; nor indeed is this resemblance a mere analogical one, since in its 

 immensely large and ciliated wings, the peculiar formation of its prothorax, and 

 ill the straight truncation of its elytra, as well as (along mth the rest of the 

 CorylophklcB) in its tetramerous, simple feet, I am inclined to believe that it 

 may possess some real affinity (albeit perhaps not a very intimate one) with that 

 group. Like the Trichopterygia, moreover, it is especially found in fimgi, or else 

 beneath moist and decaying vegetable substances; whereas its immediate aUies 

 are more peculiarly attached to grassy spots, — harbouring between the outer 

 envelope and the stems of Monocotyledonous plants, particularly those of the 

 JtmcacecB and Graminece. 



366. Sericoderus lateralis. 

 S. obovatus (antice obtusus) convexus rufo-testaceus sericeo-pubescens et fere impunctatus, prothorace 

 lato antice in medio nigrescente, elytris vix obscurioribus, antennis pedibusque pallido-testaceis. 

 Long. Corp. lin. i. 



Cossyplius lateralis, (Megerle) Gyll. Ins. Suec. iv. 516 (1827). 

 Sericoderus tlioracicus, Steph. III. Brit. Ent. ii. 188 (1828). 

 Chjpeaster Hindus, Dej. Cat. (3'^"= edit.) 455 (1837). 

 Ori/phinus lateralis, Eedt. Fna Austr. 573 (18i9). 



Habitat in humidiusculis Maders, sub foliis arborum dejectis vul inter licheues, ab urbe Funchalensi 

 usque ad 4000' s. m. asceudens. 



S. short and obovate (being broad and obtuse in front), more convex than either Clypeaster or Arthro- 

 lips, of a pale (more or less livid) testaceous hue, — the prothorax however being always of a 

 clearer (or more rufescent) colour than the elytra, which are generally moreover a little infus- 

 cated; shining, densely clothed with silken pubescence, and almost impunctate. Prothorax very 

 large and wide, with its hinder angles much acuminated ; and with a rounded blackish cloud in 

 the middle of its anterior margin, — which however is rather increased in intensity perhaps by the 

 semi-transparency of the surface, which allows the head (over which the spot is placed) to be (as 

 in the preceding two genera) just traceable (or, at any rate, its position) from above. Elytra 

 less shining and more pubescent than the prothorax ; and much truncated at their extremity. 

 Antenna and leys pale-testaceous. 



A tolerably common species in Madeira, from abnost the level of the sea-shore 

 to the altitude of about 4000 feet. I have taken it fi-om out of fungi, during tlie 

 winter and spring montlis, in the Rev. R. T. Lowe's garden near Fuuchal ; in 

 tlie chestnut-woods of Santa i\jina and Sao Vincente, and in the lofty region of the 

 Lombo das Vacas, in June ; at the Lombo dos Pecegueii'os, in July ; and at the 

 Feijaa de C6rte and the Ribeu-o Frio, in August. It is found tlu-oughout the 

 greater portion of Em-ope, though more abundant in central and ^Mediterranean 

 latitudes than towards the north. In om- own country it is extremely rare, but it 

 is apparently less scarce in Ireland. Mr. Stephens, although in possession of the 



