INSECTA MADERENSIA. 531 



1849), both in the -vdcinity of the Cidade and in the valleys terminating on the 

 eastern shore, — especially the Serra d'Entro, and about the edges of the Pico de 

 Conselho ; and I have likewise seen specimens which were taken several years 

 ago by the Rev. C. Fox Chawner near Funehal. It is found almost exclusively 

 on flowers, and is particularly attached to the TJmhelliferce. It occurs in the 

 Mediterranean districts of Europe and Africa, but appears to be somewhat rare. 

 I possess an example from Lombardy differing in no respect from the Madeiran 

 ones, except that it is a little smaller and has the extreme apex of its elytra 

 slightly darkened. 



Pam. 53. MORDELLID-ffil. 



Genus 179. ANASPIS. 



G-eoffroy, Hist. Ahr. des Ins. i. 315 (1762). 



Corpus parvum, lineari-ellipticum, plus minusve Isete pictum, supra arcuatum, infra subcarinatum : 

 capite valde inflexo (ad prosternum applicando) rotundato ; oculis oblongis intus eniarginatis ; 

 prothorace subsemicirculari (postice lato, elytris arete applicato) : alls amplis. Antenna inter oculos 

 insertse, filiformes vel apicem versus vix incrassatse, capite prothoraceque vix longiores, articulo 

 primo haud robusto breviuseulo, reliquis ultimo ovato excepto lougitudine subsequalibus. Labrum 

 membranaceo-coriaceum, transversum, apice integrum. Mandibula basi latse, apicem versus 

 incurvse angustse acutse bifidse, margine interno fisso-sinuato et membrana tenuissima aucto. 

 Maxilla bilobse rectse, lobis membrauaceis angustiusculis, apice valde pencillatis. Palpi maxillares 

 elongati, articulo penultimo brevi, ultimo magno securiformi : labiales breviores, articulo ultimo 

 plus minusve obtriangulari. Mentum breve transversum. Ligula membranacea elongata, apice 

 leviter dilatata. Pedes elongati, subretractiles : tibiis ad apicem ipsum seriatim spinulosis et 

 intus longe bicalcaratis : tarsis heteromeris ; intermediis elongatis ; posticis longissimis setaceis ; 

 articulis ultimo excepto in omnibus longitudine decrescentibus (primo in posterioribus elongato), 

 duobus baseos in anterioribus et tribus baseos in posticis apice spinulosis ; anterioribus articulo 

 antepenultimo latiusculo subemargiuato subtus longe piloso, penultimo minutissimo simplici; 

 ultimo in omnibus vix elongato, unguiculis minutissimis simplicibus munito. 



The representatives of the common European genus Anaspis, which are subject 

 to great variations in colour, may be readily distinguished by their small size, 

 narrow, elliptical bodies (which are arched above, and somewhat keeled and largely 

 developed beneath), and by their semicircular prothoraces and rounded heads, — 

 the latter of which are much inflected, and capable of being closely applied against 

 the prosternum (a peculiarity which gives the insects when terrified a remarkable 

 appearance ; under which circumstances, their legs being partially retracted also, 

 they are nearly boat-shaped). The species occur exclusively on flowers, and are 

 for the most part very gregarious. They are exceedingly active (but nevertheless 

 awkward) in then* movements, shuffling along with a skipping or quick jerking 

 motion, — a habit which their elongated, spinulose posterior feet and the ample 



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