INSECTA MADERENSIA. 541 



protliorax (which, on account of the narrow exposed neck, is somewhat remote 

 from the head), by its acuminated paraglossse, and hj its two anterior tarsi being 

 quadriarticulate. The species occur either in damp shady spots (amongst decaying 

 leaves and fungi), or else beneath stones and shingle at the edges of streams. They 

 are often very active on the wing, — under which ckcunistances they may fre- 

 quently be captured during the hot sunshine after showers. 



410. Falagria obscura. 

 F. nigro-picea pubescens nitida, capite convexo, protborace subcordato obsolete canaliculate, elytns 



rufo-fuscescentibus, pedibus pallido-ferrugineis. 

 Long. Corp. lin. Ij. 



Aleochara obscura, Grav. Col. Micropt. 7i (1802). 



— , GyU. Ins. Suec. ii. 379 (1810). 



Falagria obscura, Mann. Bracliel. 87 (1831). 

 , Erich. Gen. et Spec. Staph. 54. (1839). 



Habitat jMaderam, per margines rivulorum, sub foliis arborum dejectis et in humidiusculis, ubique 

 vulgaris. 



P. dark piceous, sbining, finely pubescent, and most obsoletely punctulated (the punctures not per- 

 ceptible except beneath the microscope). Head orbicular, but truncated behind. Prothorax 

 subcordate (being considerably narrowed or rounded off posteriorly), and with a very indistinct 

 dorsal channel, which is most apparent in front. Elytra of a pale reddish chestnut-brown. 

 Abdomen strongly margined, and with the ape.x more or less fuscescent. Antenna fusco-piceous, 

 with the basal joints ferruginous. Legs pale ferruginous, or rufo-testaceous. 



A most abundant European insect, and tolerably common throughout Madeira 

 below the elevation of 1000 feet, — occurring at the edges of the streams, and 

 beneath fallen leaves in damp spots, especially towards the north of the island. 

 At Santa Anna and Sao Vincente I have caj)tured it at tunes in considerable 

 numbers. 



Genus 184. TACHYUSA. 



Erichson, Kdf. der Mark Brand, i. 307 (1837). 



Corpus parvum vel minutum, elongatum, (in typicis lineare subconvexum, sed in specie nostra) postice 

 acuminatum, depressiusculum : capite exserto, rotundato basi truncato : prothorace elongatulo, 

 postice subtruncato : alis amplis : abdomine marginato. Antenna ad oculorum marginem in- 

 ternum insertse, capite prothoraceque longiores, graciles, articulis et instrumenta cibaria fere ut 

 in Homalota, sed paraglossis vix obsoletis. Pedes elougati, graciles : tibiis anticis in specie 

 Maderensi apicem versus internum obscurissime subexcavato-truncatis necnon ad excavationis 

 summum apicem subtiliter bispinulosis (structura quEe in Carabidis plerisque fortius obtinet) : 

 tarsis anticis 4-, posterioribus 5-articulatis; posticis longis, articulis longitudine decrescentibus 

 (prirao elongato). 



