482 JNSECTA MADERENSIA. 



the antennal joints are but nine in number and the movements comparatively 

 sluggish). 



368. Gloeosoma velox, WuU. (Tab. X. fig. 7.) 



G. rotundato-ovatum valde convexum castaneum glaberrimum et fere impunctatum, prothorace rufes- 



centiore, antennis pedibusque diluto-testaceis. 

 Long. Corp. liu. vix ^. 



Habitat Maderam rarissime, semel tantum (sub lapide ad Praya Formoza prope Funchal, d. 8 Mail 

 A.D. 1848) detectum. 



G. rounded-ovate, very convex, of a reddish-chestnut hue, shining, entirely free from pubescence, most 

 minutely and closely granulated, and with exceedingly shallow and most delicately impressed 

 punctui'es intermixed on the elytra*, though not apparently on the prothorax (this peculiarity of 

 sculpture being only distinguishable beneath the microscope). Prothorax nearly semicircular, 

 nevertheless slightly notched or excavated in front, so as to allovr the head to be partially exposed ; 

 convex, somewhat rufescent, being of a paler and clearer colour than the base of the elytra 

 (though not than the apex, — which is also diluted in colouring). Antennm and legs pale diluted 

 testaceous. 



Apparently of the greatest rarity, the unique example from which the above 

 description has been compiled having been captured by myself, from beneath a 

 stone, at the Praya Formoza near Fimchal, on the 8th of May 1848, — where I 

 have since often searched for it, but in vain. It ran with the most amazing 

 velocity (a peculiarity which may perhaps, in conjunction with its excessively 

 minute size, be one of the principal reasons why all subsequent investigations have 

 hitherto failed in detecting more). 



Sectio XI. ATRACHELIA. 

 Fam. 44. ANISOTOMID^. 



Genus 161. STAGONOMORPHA, Woll. (Tab. X. fig. 8.) 



Corpus minutissimuiu, orbiculato-ovatum, glaberrimum, valde convexum : capite permagno lato, ad 

 pectus inter otium arete ap])licato (quarc insectum globulum seminulumve simularc potest) ; 

 oculis magnis rotundatis : prothorace amplo laio transverso, antice leviter emarginato, angulis 



* When viewed beneath a high microscopic power this elytra! sculpture is of a very pecuHar natm-e, 

 each of the small shallow " punctures " appearing to be composed in reality of two (at least, if not of 

 more) excessively minute impressed lines, so arranged as to form an angle (pointing in the opposite direc- 

 tion to the prothorax), — whicli, in coujuuetiouwith the closely-set and still more delicate uuder-gramda- 

 tions, has the effect of roughening the entire surface. 



