240 



CANARIAN COLEOPTERA. 



Ptinus testaceiis, de Boield., Ann. de la Soc. Ent. de France, (Si^me serie) 



iv. 654 (1857). 

 , Woll., Cat. Mad. Col. 89 (1857). 



Habitat in Hierro, semel tantum lectus, 



A single (female) example of this European Ptinvs was taken, by 

 myself, on the walls of a house, in Hicn'o, during our visit to that 

 island in February 1858. It is unquestionably a mere importation, 

 or at the utmost naturalized from more northern latitudes, and is 

 therefore of but trifling importance. 



Genus 158. MEZIUM. 

 (Leach) Curtis, Brit. Ent. v. 232 (1828). 



382. Mezium sulcatum. 



Ptinus sidcatus, Fah., S2)(C. Ins. i. 73 (1781). 



Gibhium sulcicolle, Bridle, in Webb et Berth. (Col.) 60 (1838). 



Mezium sulcatum, Woll, Ins. Mad. 273 (1854). 



-^_ , Id., Cat. Mad. Col. 92 ( 1857). 



Gibbium sulcicolle, Hartunci, Geolofi. Vcrh(dt)n. Lanz. mid Faert. 140. 



Habitat insidas omnes Canarienses, praesertim sub lapidibus in ari- 

 dis vulgaris. 



The M. sulcatum (which is common at Madeira, and which is scat- 

 tered sparingly over central and southern Europe) is universal at the 

 Canaries ; for although I did not happen myself to meet with it 

 during our short stay at Gomera, it has been found there subse- 

 quently (at Hermigua) by Dr. Crotch, and in the other six islands of 

 the Groiip I have taken it, more or less abundantly. It occurs prin- 

 cipally beneath stones and scoriae in dry, rocky spots, — especially in 

 the open basaltic caves towards the coast (in company with certain 

 Hegeters), and at a rather low elevation. It varies immensely in 

 size, and has its elytra occasionally studded with a few stiff erect 

 bristles ; nevertheless they are usually quite glabrous. From Tene- 

 riffe it has likewise been communicated by the Barao do Castello de 

 Paiva. 



Genus 159. NITPUS. 

 Duval, Glan. Entom. 138 (1860). 



383, Nitpus gonospermi. 



Nitpus gonospermi, Duv., Glan. Entom. 138 (1860). 



, Woll, Trans. Ent. Soc. Bond. (3rd series) i. 200 (1862). 



Habitat TeneriflPam et Gomeram, hinc inde hand infrequens. 



The remarkable fact of the antennce of this minute member of the 

 Ptinidce being composed of merely nine joints is sufficient of itself to 

 chai-acterize it : nevertheless in other respects it has much the ap- 



