INSECTA MADERENSIA. 527 



not absolutely portions of them), that they are neither displaced with the foot nor 

 appear to he at all alfected by its removal. 



The Meloiis are principally vernal insects, and occur amongst low herbage, — 

 especially the Ranunculacem, on which they feed most greedily. The apterous 

 nature indeed of theu* fat unwieldy frames, combined with their slow and heavy 

 gait, would effectually preclude them from inhabiting the trees and flowers which 

 are so much sought after l3y most of the (brilliantly coloui-ed) kindred forms 

 (whose ample wdngs and superior activity are eminently adapted to their modes of 

 life) ; and hence it is that they are usually to be found either on the ground itself, 

 or else on plants but slightly elevated above it, — and from whence they are 

 accustomed to fall, on the approach of danger, and so to become concealed 

 amongst the grass beneath. The Madeiran species, like the European ones, are 

 generally to be met with on warm sunny banks with a southern aspect, particularly 

 in positions where the vegetation is but just commencing to sprout. 



399. Meloe austrinus, Woll. 



M. subcyanescenti-niger subnitidus, capite prothoraceque profunde punctatis, illo fere integi'o, hoc 



postice vix latiore supra minus insequali, elytris rugosis, antennis pedibusque robustis. 

 Long. Corp. lin. 7-11. 



Habitat Maderam australem, in locis subinferioribus, tempore vernali nou iufrequens. 



M. large and robust, black with an obscure bluish tinge (tolerably apparent on the elytra), and slightly 

 shining. Head and prothorax very deeply and regularly punctured ; the former large, and with 

 very faint indications of a central channel (which is usually altogether obsolete posteriorly) ; the 

 latter just perceptibly wider behind than in front, and with its upper surface less uneven than in 

 the following two species. Elytra closely pitted or rugulose. Legs and antenna robust. 



The largest, and apparently the scarcest, of the Madeiran Meloes. It may be 

 readily know^n from the following two by its obscure Iduisli tinge, by its more 

 deeply and regularly punctm-ed head and prothorax (the former of which has the 

 central channel almost obsolete, whilst the latter is a little wider behind than in 

 front), and by its robuster limbs. It seems to be confined to rather low elevations 

 in the vicinity of Eunchal, — the Cabo Gerajao, or Brazen Head, being the highest 

 altitude, I beUeve, at which it has been hitherto observed ; nor am I aware that 

 it has been detected on any of the other islands of the group. 



400. Meloe rugosus. 

 M. niger opacus, capite prothoraceque punctatis, illo leviter canaliculato, hoc postice vix angustato 



supra insequali, elytris undulato-rugosis, antennis pedibusque gracilioribus. 

 Long. Corp. lin. 5i-9. 



