214 



Genus 193. MEZIUM. 

 (Leach) Curt., JSrit. Ent. v. 232 (1828). 



608. Mezium sulcatum. 



Ptinus sulcatus, Fab., Spec, Ins. i. 73 (1781). 



Gibbium sulcicolle, Brulle, in Webb et Berth. (Col.) 60 (1838). 



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



, Id., Cat. Mad. Col 92 (1857). 



< , Id., Cat. Can. Col. 240 (1864). 



Gibbium sulcicolle, Hart., Geolog. Verhaltn. Lanz. und Fuert. 14( 



Habitat Maderenses (Mad.} et Canarienses (ins. omnes), sub lapidibus 

 scoriisque praBsertim in cavernis tufa? apertis vulgaris. 



This insect, which is rather sparingly distributed over central and 

 southern Europe, abounds in these Atlantic islands where it seems 

 to be quite indigenous, and where I have little doubt that it will be 

 found to be universal. And it is worth noting that the original 

 examples from which Fabricius compiled his diagnosis of the species 

 were Canarian ones. It is common at rather low elevations in 

 Madeira proper, chiefly beneath stones and scoriae in dry spots (more 

 particularly in small open caverns of the basaltic rocks, towards the 

 coast), often in company with the Ptinus variegatus ; whilst at the 

 Canaries it is still more abundant, and has been found (in similar 

 situations) in the whole seven islands of the Group. I met with it 

 likewise at Mogadore, on the opposite coast of Africa. 



Genus 194. GIBBIUM. 



Scopoli, Int. ad Hist. Nat. 505 (1777). 



609. Gibbium scotias. 



Ptinus scotias, Fab., Spec. Ins. i. 74 (1831). 



Gibbium scotias, Kugd., in Schneid. Mag. iv. 502 (1794). 



, Woll, Ins. Mad. 274 (1854). 



, Id., Cat. Mad. Col. 92 (1857). 



Habitat Maderenses (Mad.}, rarissimum. Exemplar unicum, forsan 

 ex alienis introductum, in domo quadam cepi. 



A single specimen of this common European insect, which I took 

 many years ago in a house at Machico in Madeira proper, is the 

 only one that I have yet seen from these Atlantic islands. Perhaps 

 it was a mere accidental importation from more northern latitudes ; 

 though it is very possible that the species may have become esta- 

 blished, in some of the storehouses and towns, through the medium 

 of commerce. 



