WCP2264

[1]

Teignmouth.

Dec. 3. 1870.

My dear Sir,

I have rec[eive]^d your note¹ this morning, & if I can give you any information on the points you allude to I shall be most happy to do so; but it is now so long since I have had occasion to refer to any matters of that particular kind that they have almost escaped my memory, & I must ask you therefore to take them only for what they are worth².

1.) Tarus suturalis. This is a very [2] rare European species, — having (until I met with it in Madeira, Porto Santo, & the Canaries) been known principally as Egyptian. I believe the Tari seldom (if ever) have their wings fully developed; & this species, certainly, I s[houl]^d say is practically apterous everywhere. The P[ort]^o S[ant]^o examples (as I have just re-ascertained) have them very minute & rudimentary, & utterly useless for all practical purposes.

(2) Apolomus. This genus, I think, is practically apterous everywhere.

(3) Dromius sigma. I do not believe that this is ever properly (if indeed at all) winged in England. My Engl[ish]. examples seem apterous, & the Atlantic ones are so likewise.

(4). Tarphius, &c. I believe that the [3] whole of these immediate, Endophloideous genera are always apterous. At least I cannot recall any that are winged, though I will not be sure that some might not be. But I s[houl]^d define them as essentially an apterous assemblage. Tarphius is most emphatically so. —

(5). Omias. The species w[hic]^h I cited as "Omias" in the 'Ins[ecta]. Mad[erensia].'³ are not, in reality, members of that group; but the whole of the Atlantic Cyclomides (Laparocerus, Atlantis, &c.) — an enormous assemblage — are completely apterous. There is not an exception to the rule. I rather think that in most countries the Cyclomides are [4] an apterous group.

(6) Boromorphus. Apterous decidedly.

(7) Helops pallidus. Apterous, I think, practically, everywhere, — as the majority of sand-infesting species seem to me to be. I have examples of it from north Devon which look most undoubtedly apterous.

—

Should there be any other pointe on w[hic]^h I am able to thro throw any light (w[hic]^h however is not likely), I need scarcely add that I s[houl]^d be happy to answer them — so far as able.

Believe me | Your’s very truly | T V Wollaston [signature]