CANARIAN COLEOPTERA. 5G5 



Ocypus olens, Erich., Gen. et Spec. Staph. 405 (1839). 

 , Kmatz, Nat. der Ins. Deutsch. ii. 553 (1856). 



Habitat in insulis omnibus Canariensibus, sat vulgaris. 



Although absent from the Madeiran Group, it is somewhat remark- 

 able that the common European 0. olens should be universal at the 

 Canaries — in all the islands of which except Gomera, where it was 

 found by Dr. Crotch, I have myself taken it. From Fuerteventura it 

 has been communicated, likewise, by the Barao do Castello de Paiva ; 

 and in TenerifFe it was captured by M. Hartung. I have a single 

 Teneriffan example which I met with in the wood at Las Mercedes, 

 wliich has its entire pubescence of a yellowish (or golden) tint ; but 

 I can detect no other difference to warrant the supposition that it is 

 more than an accidental variety. 



860. Ocypus brachypterus. 



0. piceo- vel fusco-niger (interdum in elytris et versus abdominis 

 apicem paulo dilutior) , subopacus, dense pubescens, ubique creber- 

 rime punctatis ; eapite (pnesertim in maribus) magno, rotundato, 

 linea media laevi ; prothorace subquadrato (nee transverso), di- 

 stinctius lineato-subcarinato ; elytris brevissimis, ad angulos ex- 

 ternos posticos late obli(iue truncatis ; antennis pedibusque rufo- 

 piceis et (proesertim his) fulvo-pubescentibus. — Long. corp. lin. 

 10-14. 



Staph ylinus brachypterus, Brulle, in Webb et Berth. (Col.) 59 (1838). 

 Habitat in sylvaticis editioribus Teneriffae, rarior. 

 The less black (or more piceous) hue and usually rather larger and 

 less convex head of this Ocypus, combined with its less decidedly 

 opake and not quite so closely punctured siu-face, its longer and more 

 keeled prothorax, its very much shorter elytra (which have their 

 outer posterior angle more broadly truncated obliquely), and its paler 

 or more rufescent limbs, which are densely clothed with a bright 

 fulvous pubescence, will readily separate it from the 0. olens. It is 

 totally distinct from the European species which has been referred to 

 the brachypterus of Brulle ; but the mistake probably arose from M. 

 BruUd having himself (erroneously) stated that the Teneriffan insect 

 was also found in Europe — "Cet insecte, qui ne nous parait pas encore 

 avoir ete distingue de V olens, se trouve aussi dans quelques parties de 

 I'Europe." 



The 0. hracliypterus is extremely rare, or at any rate local, and 

 confined to the damp sylvan districts of TenerifFe, at intermediate and 

 lofty elevations. I have taken it at the Agna Garcia, as well as in 

 the laurel-woods above Taganana, and elsewhere ; and it was also 

 met with by M. Hartimg. 



