69 



from the vessels are accustomed to do, and had brought 

 away examples from the wooded mountain-slopes, the 

 two insects would appear altogether distinct. For, com- 

 mencing on the level of the beach, the usual type is 

 broad, flat, more or less opake, with the prothorax 

 almost impunctate, and the elytra soldered together. 

 As we ascend higher, the breadth invariably diminishes, 

 the brightness, and depth of sculpture, seem (up to a 

 certain altitude) to increase, and the elytra are seldom, 

 or but very imperfectly united ; until, on entering the 

 lower limits of the forest region, at an elevation per- 

 haps, ore rotundo, of 3000 feet, we find that it has 

 gradually put on a very different aspect, being small, 

 narrow, bright, convex, comparatively ovate and deeply 

 striated ; the legs and antennae have become exceedingly 

 pale ; the prothorax has altered considerably in shape, 

 being much narrowed behind and punctured; and the 

 elytra are nearly always free. In this state it continues 

 for about 1500 feet; when again emerging into the 

 broad daylight of the open hills, it recommences to 

 mould itself as it did below ; until, having reached the 

 summits of the loftiest peaks, more than 6000 feet above 

 the sea, it has almost (though not entirely) assumed the 

 features which characterized it on the shores beneath*." 



* Insecta Maderensia, pp. 55, 56. 



