STAPHYLINIDJE. 463 



1273. Homalota amnigena. 

 Homalota amnigena, WoU., Cat. Can. Col. 537 (1864). 



Habitat Maderenses* (Mad.) et Canarienses (Ten., Gom., Palma, 

 Hierro), in humidis praesertim ad margines rivulorum in inter- 

 mediis degens. 



Not uncommon in at any rate the central and western islands of 

 the Canarian Group where it occurs under stones at the edges of 

 the streams, and in damp places generally, for the most part at in- 

 termediate altitudes. I have taken it in Teneriffe, Palma, and 

 Hierro; and it was found abundantly by the Messrs. Crotch in 

 Gomera. 



The H. amnigena is very close to the gregaria, but differs in being 

 a little smaller and narrower, as well as somewhat more densely 

 clothed with a minute pubescence ; in its head being just percep- 

 tibly more oval (or less rounded) ; in its prothorax being less trans- 

 verse and with a more evident central foveole behind ; in its elytra 

 being less developed, of a more uniform brownish black (instead of 

 being conspicuously diluted posteriorly), and with very obsolete indi- 

 cations of being obliquely impressed across their disk ; in its antenna? 

 being shorter, with the apical joint more abbreviated ; and in its 

 legs being always totally pale. 



1274. Homalota persimilis. 

 Homalota persimilis, WoU., Cat. Can. Col. 538 (1864). 



Habitat Canarienses (Ten.), in inferioribus juxta Portum Orotavse 

 semel deprehensa. 



The only example of this insignificant little Homalota which I have 

 yet seen was captured by myself, at a low elevation (immediately 

 outside the Puerto Orotava), in Teneriffe. Although unquestionably 

 distinct from H. amnigena, it is a good deal allied to that species. 



* A single example was communicated from Madeira proper by the late Mr. 

 Bewicke, which I feel almost satisfied is the representative of a mere local state 

 of the Canarian H. amnigena with which in nearly everything essential it agrees 

 precisely. It differs only in having its head and prothorax (when viewed be- 

 neath the microscope) much less coarsely alutaceous, and therefore more shining 

 and with the minute additional punctules (which are sparingly scattered over 

 the surface) more apparent. Its head is, if anything, a trifle squarer and more 

 developed, and more evidently channelled behind ; and its elytra are perhaps 

 just appreciably longer. I subjoin the following short diagnosis of it, in the 

 event of further material proving it to be specifically distinct : Var. /3. maderensis 

 [an species?]. Capite prothoraceque (oculo fortissime armato) multo minus 

 grosse granuloso-alutaceis, ergo nitidioribus et punctulis superadditis magis con- 

 spicuis, illo vix rnajore quadratiore et postice evidentius canaliculate ; elytris vix 

 longioribus. 



