INSECTA MADERENSIA. 575 



paragJnssis elongatis linearibus divergentibuSj interne ciliatis. Pedes breviusculi robusti ; coxis 

 intermediis contiguis : tibiis spinulosis : tarsis 5-articulatis [anticis dilatatis, subtus spongioso- 

 tomentosis) ; posterioribus subelongatis, articulo primo vix longiusculo. 



Othiiis and XanthoUniis are, in many respects, closely allied; nevertheless the 

 greater bulk and broader outline of the former, in conjunction with its larger 

 head (which is not so suddenly truncated behind, and is destitute of frontal 

 grooves), its straightened antennce, unimbricated elytral suture, and its dilated 

 anterior feet, will at once serve to distinguish it from the latter. In the details of 

 theu'trophi the two genera are almost coincident, except that the terminal joint of 

 the maxillary palpi of Otliius is somewhat shorter and more subulated than is the 

 case in XcmtholiHus. The Madeiran Othii, however, are not altogether normal 

 representatives of their group, — their eyes being excessively small, theii" elytra 

 rather more abbreviated than in the ordinary species, and their wings being 

 entirely obsolete. Nevertheless, since they retain every essential character of 

 Othiiis, it is impossible to regard the above peciiliarities as of more than sectional 

 importance, — though at the same time, when viewed geographically, they are 

 extremely interesting. The insects occur, for the most part, beneath the loose 

 decaying bark of trees, or under stones and fallen leaves, in damp spots. 



446. Otliius strigulosus, Woll 

 O. niger subnitidus, capite prothoraceque subtilissime trausversim strigulosis (illo magno), elytris 



piceis, antenuis pedibusque ferrugineis. 

 Long. Corp. lin. 5|— 6|. 



Habitat IMaderam sylvaticam, sub lapidibus foliisque arborum dejectis, praesertim ad basin rupiuni 

 abruptorum, toto anno non infrequeus. 



O. black, and slightly shining. Head and prothoraa; (the former of which is large) minutely punctu- 

 lated, and most delicately and closely transversely-strigulose, all over ; both of them with larger 

 punctures towards the sides (those on the foroier being much the most numerous). Elytra very 

 short, and conjointly arched out behind; most delicately shagreened (or subgranulate), and with 

 distant (though distinct, and somewhat obliquely-impinged) punctures intermixed ; piceous, or 

 rufo-piceous. Abdomen parallel at the base; and with its apex, and occasionally the lateral 

 margins, slightly diluted in colouring. Antennae ferruginous, — all the joints except the lii-st two 

 having a dusky ring (more or less apparent) round their centre. Legs ferruginous ; with the 

 tibia, especially at their apex, slightly infuscated. 



A large and well-marked Oth'ms, its greatly developed head, in conjunction with 

 its finely punctulated and minutely strigixlose surface, giving it a character which 

 it is impossible, even prima facie, to mistake. It is apparently rare, being confined 

 to damp sylvan spots of intermediate elevations, — occiu-ring principally at the 

 roots of grass, and amongst fallen leaves, at the base of the perpendicular rocks in 



