TNSECTA MADERENSIA. 481 



alls (nisi fallor) obsoletis. Antennm (X. 7 a) prothorace paulo longiores, 10-articulatse, sat 

 robusta;, leviter et facilius clavatse, articulis primo et secundo (illo pnecipue) elongatis robustis, 

 tertio paulo breviore graciliore, quarto quintoque minutissimis transversis, sexto majore crassiore, 

 septimo minuto intus aagiilato, reliquis clavam elongatam minus abruptam triarticulatam efficien- 

 tibus (decimo ovato). Labrum, mandibulas lii/ulamqne baud observav-i. Maxilla (X. 7 b) lobo 

 singula angusto, apicem versus angustissimo acutissimo simplice, instructse ; interna vel externa 

 (forte hoc, sed eerte dicere baud potui) obsoleto. Palpi fusiformes valde incrassati ; maxillares 

 articulo prime parvo, secundo maximo inflate, tertio et ultimo minutis ; labiales (X. 7 c) articulo 

 primo parvo, secundo ut in maxillaribus amplissimo, ultimo minutiore subovato. Pedes valde 

 cursorii : tibiis anticis {\.7d) subcurvatis, ad apicem internum leviter incurvo-productis : tar sis 

 4-articulatis, articulis primo et secundo longiusculis crassiusculis subsequalibus, tertio mmuto, 

 ultimo longissimo subclavato. 



A y\oio<; IjeviSj et awfia corpus. 



In their comparatively rounded outline and glabrous siu-faces, as well as in the 

 minute second joint of their clava, and the curved apex of their two anterior tibise, 

 the present genus and the last one are coincident; nevertheless Glceosoma 

 displays many peculiarities which CorijlopJms does not, — amongst which its very 

 convex body, the almost unproduced edges of its pronotum (the front margin 

 being a little truncated, or scooped out, so as not entirely to conceal the head), 

 added to its 10-articulated antennae and eminently cursorial habits, are perha])s 

 the most important. Considering the diminutive size of the insect on which the 

 genus is founded, it is not surprising that the unique example, which has been so 

 skilfully drawn and dissected by Mr. Westwood, should have proved insufficient 

 for the detection of the whole of its oral organs. Nevertheless, its maxillae and 

 palpi are quite perceptible enough to attest its close relationship to Orthopems and 

 Coryloplius, were indeed further evidence of its affinities necessary than that which 

 its limbs and general outward contour so abundantly supply. It is curious how- 

 ever to remark how the enlargement of the second joint of the palpi, which iu 

 Coryloplius extends only to the maxiUary and in Arthr'olips to the labial ones, is 

 here carried out in both, — and moreover to such an extent that it would seem 

 (especially in the maxillary paii-) to monopolize almost the entire palpus (thus 

 constituting, in conjunction with the extremely acute, aciculated single lobe of its 

 maxillfe, the most distinctive feature possessed). Throughout aU the Madeiran 

 Coleoptera there is certainly no form more interesting than Glceosoma, or which 

 tends to establish affinities more significant ; for whilst, in some respects, it has so 

 much in common with even the typical Corylophklce, it nevertheless assimilates so 

 closely, in others, many of the early members of the Anisotomidce, that, at first 

 sight, it might be almost questioned to which of the families it ought strictly to be 

 referred. Upon the whole, however, it is I think more akin to Orthopems than to 

 anything else ^ith which I am acquainted ; though, at the same time, its 10- 

 articulated antennce and marvellously cursorial natm-e wiU, apart from other 

 characters prima facie apparent, at once separate it from that group (in which 



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