CARABID.E. 27 



Genus 26. PRISTONYCHUS. 



Dejean, Spec. Gen. des Col. iii. 43 (1828). 



71. Pristonychus alternans. 



Pristonychus alternans, Dej., Spec. Gen. des Col. iii. 61 (1828). 

 Sphodrus alternans, Brulle, in W. et B. ( Col.} 56, pi. ii. f. 8 (1838). 

 Pristonychus alternans, Woll., Cat. Can. Col. 29 (1864). 



Habitat Canarienses (Ten., Gom.), sub lapidibus prgesertim in montibus 

 parce sed late diffusus. 



This fine Canarian Pristonychus has been observed in a typical 

 state only in Teneriffe, where it occurs sparingly (beneath stones) 

 from about 700 to 7000 feet above the sea. Three specimens, how- 

 ever, are now before me, which were captured by the Messrs. Crotch 

 in Gomera, on the mountains above Hermigua. They differ 

 from the TeneriiFan ones in having their prothorax a trifle less 

 coarsely punctured, and in their elytra being a little less acuminated 

 behind, with the punctures of the alternate interstices considerably 

 reduced in number ; but as these are all points which are essentially 

 variable in the nearly allied group of Calaihus, I have no hesitation 

 in regarding these examples as the exponents of a mere insular 

 phasis of the Teneriffan species. Nevertheless I would here cite 

 them under the name of " var. (3. obliterata," in the event of sub- 

 sequent inquiries proving them to be truly distinct. 



72. Pristonychus picescens. 



Pristonychus picescens, Woll., Cat. Can. Col. 30 (1864). 

 Habitat Canarienses (Hierro), rarissimus ; semel tantum repertus. 



I have seen but a single example as yet of this distinct Pristonychus. 

 It was captured by myself in the sylvan district of Hierro, the most 

 western island of the Canarian Group. 



73. Pristonychus complanatus. 



Pristonychus complanatus, Dej-, Spec. Gen. des Col. iii. 58 (1828). 

 Sphodrus complanatus, Bridle, in Webb et Berth. (Col.) 56 (1838). 

 Pristonychus alatus, Woll., Ins. Mad. 27 (1854). 



-, Id., Cat. Mad. Col. 11 (1857). 

 - complanatus, Woll, Cat. Can. Col. 29 (1864). 



Habitat Maderenses (Mad., P to S to ) et Canarienses (Lanz., Ten., 

 Palma), sub lapidibus praesertim in cavernis tufae apertis hinc 

 inde latens. 



* 



The P. complanatus of Mediterranean latitudes is widely spread 



