548 INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



short as in the preceding genus). Abdomen a little expanded beyond the middle, with the first 

 four or five segments more or less black. Antenme at apex brownish-black ; at base, together 

 with the legs, testaceous. 

 V^ar. /3. altogether paler, the intermediate abdominal segments being alone darkened. 



A most indigenous insect, and exceedingly distinct from every Homalota with 

 which I am acquainted. From the remainder of the species here described it may 

 be known, at first sight, by its combining the rufo-testaceous colouring, apterous 

 body, exceedingly abbreviated elytra, and the posteriorly-subexpanded abdomen of 

 Xenomma with the oral and tarsal characteristics of the present genus. In its 

 somewhat diminished eyes indeed it would make a still fiu-ther approach towards 

 the former group ; nevertheless the shape of its head is essentially that of Homa- 

 lota, nor do its habits appear to be in any way dependent on those of Ants. Its 

 freedom from ^Wngs however is worthy of remark, since it is a structiu-e of rare 

 occiu'rence in the Komalotce, and one which is especially indicative of Madeii-an 

 forms, — the apterous tendency of the endemic insects of these islands having been 

 more than once dilated upon. It is found only at lofty elevations ; and, although 

 it occm's not unfrequently in spots from whence the wood has disappeared, it may 

 be defined as normally srjhan, — ranging from about 2500 to 5000 feet above the 

 sea, and attaining its maximum rather towards the upper than the lower extre- 

 mity of those limits. It resides beneath moist logs of wood, stones and dead 

 leaves in damp and cloudy districts, — where it is occasionally very abundant. 

 During my encampment in the uplands of the Cruzinhas and the Fanal, in July 

 1850, I captm-ed it in profusion at the edges of the trickling streams and from 

 under felled timber : and I have likewise taken it on the Lombo das Vacas, in 

 June ; at the Feijaa de Corte, in August ; and at the llibeiro Trio, at nearly aU 

 seasons of the year. 



§ II. Corpus plerumque alatum ; elytris minus ahhreviatis. 



416. Homalota granidosa, Wolh 



H. linearis piceo-uigra subtiliter et dense granuhita opaca et valde depressa, prothorace posticc 

 angustato et fovea media abbreviate impresso, antennis pedibusque elongatis, illis basi dilution- 

 bus, his pallido-testaceis. 



Long. Corp. lin. 1^. 



Habitat in Madera sylvatica excelsa, a meipso ad Cruzinhas Julio ineunte a.d. 1850 (sub foliis arbo- 

 rum dejectis) lecta. 



H. linear, piceous- or brownish-black ; head, prothorax and elytra finely and very closely granulated, 

 but without any appearance of punctures intermixed ; opake, and exceedingly depressed. Pro- 

 thorax rather elongated, and a little narrowed behind ; and with an obscure central depression, 



