562 INSECTA MADERENSIA. 



Eui'ope and even from Central America. It is found principally (in Madeira) in 

 company with the A. nitkla, though less commonly : in the vicinity of Funchal, 

 however, and at Santa Anna, I have at times observed it somewhat abundantly. 



Genus 189. OLIGOTA. 

 Mannerheim, Brachel. 72 (1831). 



Corpus minutissimum, (in nostra) lineare : capite deflexo latiusculo : prothorace brevi, postice lato : alis 

 ainplis : abdomine marginato. Antenna ad oculorum marginem internum inserta;, breviusculse, 

 10-;irtifulat:i>, apicem versus sensim clavataj (clava, oblouga tri- vcl quadri-articulata), articulis 

 duobus baseos elongatis crassiusculis. Instrumenta cibaria fere ut iu Ilomalota, sed palporum 

 maxillarium articulus ultimus paulo longior, ct labialium magis aeicularis. Pedes breviusculi 

 graciles : tarsis omnibus 4-articulatis ; posticis articulo prime subelongato. 



The extremely minute size of the Oligotce, in coujimction with their clavate, 

 10-articulated antennse and theu* tetramerous feet, are of themselves sufficient to 

 separate the genus from the remainder of the Aleocharides ; whilst from Soma- 

 tiitm (its nearest Madekan ally) its distinguishing characters, apart from the 

 sectional ones, may be gathered by a reference to the observations imder that 

 group. 



435. OUgota inflata. 

 O. linearis fusco-picea pubescens subnitida, prothorace convexo, antennarum basi pedibusque diluto- 



testaceis, abdomiue ad apiceui dilutiore. 

 Long. Corp. lin. i-i. 



Microcera inflata, Mann. Brachel. 72 (1831). 



Oliyota subtiUs, Erich. Kiif. Jer Mark Brand, i. 364 (1837). 



, Erich. Gen. et Spec. Staph. 180 (1839). 



Habitat in cbvis graminosis maritimis Maderee Portusque Sancti, sub lapidibus et scoriis (in quarum 

 celluhs soli exposita subito recedit), ab autumno usque ad ver novum, rarior. 



O. very minute, linear, brownish-piceous (or, occasionally, piceous-black), pubescent, slightly shining, 

 and finely punctulated. Head rather wide. Prothorax short, transverse, and convex. Abdomen 

 rather darker at the base than the rest of the insect, but diluted iu colouring at its apex. 

 Antenna at base, and the legs, diluted-testaceous. 



It is possible that the present minute insect may be more correctly referred to 

 the O. pusiUima, Grav. ; nevertheless, since it seems to agree better, both in size 

 and antenna?, with the description of Erichson's O. sttbtllis, I have assigned it to 

 that species. It is somewhat rare in Madeira, or at any rate local, the only spot 

 in which I have hitherto captured it being (beneath stones and scoria;) on the 

 exposed grassy eminence to the right of the Caniso road (from Funchal), just 

 before arriving at the Brazen Head, — in whicli position dm*Lng the autmnn of 



