INSECTA MADERENSIA. 519 



Var. a. paiilo obscurior, prothorace vix angustiorCj antennis pedibusque infuscato-ferrugineis. (Ins. 



Deserta Grandis.) 

 Var. (3. paulo clarior, prothorace vix latiore densius et subprofundius punctulato, antennis pedi- 

 busque ferrugineis. (In Madera status typiciis.) 

 Long. Corp. lin. 3^-4|. ' 



Habitat sub lapidibus in montibus Maderse, minus frequens ; in summo Besertse Grandis (tempore 

 hiberno) prredominat, in rupium fissuris una cum H, Vulcano latitans. 



H. subovate, piceous, shining, and closely and deeply punctulated. Prothorax with the sides slightly 

 rounded ; less emarginated in front (and therefore with the anterior angles less porrected) than 

 in any of the foregoing species. Elytra deeply crenate-striated ; the interstices with the hinder 

 tubercles rather large and distinct, and occasionally extending almost into the anterior portion. 

 Legs and antenna more or less ferruginous. 



Var. a., of a slightly obscurer hue. Prothorax a trifle narrower (especially in front), and a little 

 less deeply punctured than in the Madeiran specimens. Legs and antenna: dull ferruginous, 

 being more or less infuscated in parts. (The state peculiar to the Dezerta Grande.) 



Var. /3. of a clearer colour. Prothorax just perceptibly wider and more quadrate, and also somewhat 

 more closely and deeply punctured. Legs and antenna almost invariably pale ferruginous. (The 

 typical state in Madeira.) 



The present Selops may be known from the rest of the genus here described by 

 its dark piceous hue, shining surface and ovate form. It is found sparingly 

 throughout most of the mountain districts of Madeira, but wouhl appear to be 

 more especially attached to the east of the island, — and indeed to attain its 

 maximum on the Dezerta Grande, where I have taken it in the greatest profusion 

 from out of the fissures of the highest central peaks. In Madeira proper I have 

 observed it more plentifully on the hiU-tops above Machico than elsewhere; 

 nevertheless on the upland plain of the Eateh'as, and other spots towards the 

 eastern coast, it may be occasionally met with in comparative abundance*. 



* Somewhat akin to this species is a small Helops (recently communicated by M. Eousset) from 

 Teneriffe. Prom its Madeiran allies it may be at once distiaguished by the peculiarity of its form and 

 sculpture, — amongst which the almost impimctate interstices of its elji;ra and its total freedom from 

 hinder tubercles should be especially noticed. It may be defined as follows : — 



Helops carbunculus, Wall. 



H. brevis ovatus nigro-piceus nitidus, prothorace profimde et confertim pmictato subcordato-quadrato ad 

 latera leviter rotundato, elytris leviter striato-pimctatis, interstitiis obsoletissime punctulatis, an- 

 tennis pedibusque infuscato-ferrugineis. 



Long. Corp. lin. 3|. 



Habitat in ins. Teneriffse Canariensi, a Dom. Eousset nuper missus. 



H. short, ovate, dark piceous, and shining. Prothorax deeply and closely punctured (especially towards 

 the edges), subcordate-quadrate, being widest in front; convex anteriorly, and with the sides 

 slightly rounded. Elytra not at all rugidose, and lightly striate-punctate ; the interstices with most 



