MADEIRAN COLEOPTERA, 101 
apicem longe pilosis: tarsis art® L™° longiusculo, 2°° et 3° minori- 
bus subsequalibus (hoc via dilatato et viv bilobo), ultimo 1™' fere 
longitudine subclavato, wnguiculis parvis simplicibus munito. 
A \eizw relinquo, et dupa oculus, 
The very remarkable little insect from which the above generic 
diagnosis has been compiled is one of the most anomalous members 
of the Curculionide with which I am acquainted, its total freedom 
from eyes (which are not so much as indicated even beneath the 
microscope), in conjunction with the peculiarities of its tibiee and 
feet (the former of which, in addition to the immensely developed 
hook at their external apex, are prolonged at their inner angle into a 
robust spine ; whilst the latter have their third joint scarcely at all 
expanded or bilobed,—a structure of the rarest occurrence in the 
present family), giving it a character which it is impossible to mis- 
take. This non-development of its organs of sight, however, and 
the comparatively minute size (for the Curculionide) of its antepen- 
ultimate tarsal articulation, are in perfect keeping with its habits, 
—the species apparently subsisting within the roots and stalks of 
the various plants, ata considerable depth underground, on the loose 
drifting sand-hills immediately behind the sea-beach of Porto Santo 
(into which, moreover, the powerful terminal spur with which the 
inner apices of all its tibie are additionally armed causes it to burrow 
with dexterity). Ihave captured it as much as a foot and a half 
beneath the surface,—to which its entire exemption from eyes would 
seem to imply that it seldom, even in the perfect state (except per- 
chance occasionally by accident), ascends: a fact which at once ac- 
counts for, likewise, the smallness of the third joint of its feet,—the 
especial use of the broadly cordate structure of that articulation, 
which is nearly universal throughout the Rhyncophora, being to 
enable the creatures to adhere firmly to the stems and foliage of 
plants, on which they principally subsist. In less important details, 
its pilose body (for an underground feeder) is very remarkable ; 
though its subconnate elytra and evanescent wings are of course in 
complete accordance with its general economy. 
278. Leipommata calcaratum, n. sp. 
L. fusco-ferrugineum subnitidum, pilis longis mollibus griseis ubique 
parce vestitum, prothorace profunde punctato, elytris rugulosis 
seriatim punctatis (seriebus alternis e punctis minoribus compo- 
sitis), antennis brevibus, capitulo dilutiore. 
Long. corp. lin. 1}-12. 
L. fusiform-ovate, brownish-ferruginous, slightly shining, and clothed 
all over (though not very densely) with a long, soft, suberect, 
