215 



Genus 195. MICROPTINUS. 

 Nitpus, Duval, Glan. Entom. 138 (1860). 



Although unwilling to press too far the Linnaean rule against 

 generic names " simili sono exeuntia," I nevertheless have no hesi- 

 tation in acting upon it in this instance seeing that the existence 

 simultaneously of such titles as Nitpus and Niptus, a fact which is 

 rendered even more objectionable still on account of their representing 

 consecutive groups, cannot but prove a constant source of confusion 

 and perplexity. It is for this reason alone that I would venture to 

 alter it, by proposing instead the more euphonious one of Micro- 

 ptinus ; though, on other grounds as well, few probably would be 

 found to regret its suppression names like Nitpus, Niptus, and 

 Tipnus being a positive outrage on the laws of orthography. 



610. Microptinus gonospermi. 



Nitpus gonospermi, Duval, loc. cit. 138 (1860). 



, Woll, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lmid. i. 206 (1862). 



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



Habitat Canarienses (Ten., Gom.), in inferioribus intermediisque hinc 

 inde vulgaris. 



Observed hitherto only in Teneriffe and Gomera, of the Canarian 

 Group, where it is occasionally common at low and intermediate 

 elevations. Its general aspect is quite that of a Splicericus ; never- 

 theless its 9-jointed antennae and the quadriarticulate hind feet of 

 its male sex will at once separate it from the members of that genus. 

 In Teneriffe I have taken it very abundantly off a large Tanacetum. 



Genus 196. SPHJERICUS. 

 Wollaston, Ins. Mad. 263 (1854). 



611. Sphsericus albopictus. 



Ptinus albopictus, Woll, Ins. Mad. 267, tab. v. f. 4 (1854). 



longicornis, Id., Ibid. 270 (1854). 



- albopictus, Id., Cat. Mad. Col. 90 (1857). 



Habitat Maderenses (ins. omnes), vel inter lichenes in rupium fissuris 

 vel intra caules Carduorum (praesertim /Silybi Mariani, Grtn.) 

 hinc inde vulgaris. Species statura atque etiam colore valde 

 inconstans. 



The universal Sphcericus of the Madeiran Group, in all the islands 

 of which it is locally abundant, occurring at most elevations, though 

 particularly at rather low and intermediate ones. Like the gene- 



