PAEAI^ESTHIA. Ill 



shorter than the first two joints of the flagellum, the first joint shorter than the 

 second, fourth and fifth shorter and thicker; the rest become thickened towards 

 the apex. Prothorax large, a little broader than long, distinctly separated from the 

 mesothorax, the sides scarcely straight, transverse behind, rounded and narrowed in 

 front. Mesonotum rather flat above, the scutellum not clearly defined. Metanotum 

 comparatively large, closely amalgamated with the mesonotum. Petiole long, curved, 

 broader at the base than at the apex, round. Abdomen ovoid, flat, contracted before and 

 behind ; second segment longer than the next, fourth much longer than any of the 

 others ; apical a little shorter than the third. Ulna shorter than the marginal branch, 

 (which is prolonged a little beyond the cubitus) ; at its junction with the ulna is a 

 thickened spot of hairs; the marginal branch is provided with projecting hairs; the 

 margins of the wings with long cilia. Coxae large, thickened, widely separated; 

 femora stout ; tarsi longer than the tibiae. 



The female has a stout laterally compressed ovipositor, which is about half the length 

 of the abdomen. The head over the mouth is broadly incised, the edges of the incision 

 being tooth-like ; the front below the antenna? is produced into a broad keel, which 

 overhangs the mouth-region, terminating in a blunt thick tooth. 



The affinities of this genus are clearly with Theocolax, Westw., with which it agrees 

 in the structure of the thorax and abdomen and of the wings; but the enormous 

 development of the mandibles, the very deep and long suture on the head, and the 

 greater development of the basal abdominal segments sufficiently differentiate the two. 



1. ParalsBstMa mandibularis. (Tab. V. figg. 15, $ ; 15 «, 6 ; 15 b, head of 

 6 ; 15 c, antenna of $ ; 15 c, antenna of 6 ; 15/j head of $ .) 

 Nigra, nitida, fere glabra; ore, scapo antennarum tarsisque testaeeis; geniculis, trochanteribus tibiisque 



piceis ; alis hyalinis, fascia substigmatali fusca. 

 Long. 4 millim. 



Hab. Panama, Volcan de Atitlan 2500 to 3500 feet (Champion). 



Antennae not much longer than the head and mandibles. Sides and upper part of 

 pleurae slightly punctured and semiopaque ; the rest very smooth, glossy, shining, and 

 piceous ; the sides of the head and prothorax are also piceous. The tibiae are closely 

 covered with a fuscous pile. The scutellum laterally are faintly longitudinally 

 striated. Metanotum shining in the centre, obscurely punctured and semiopaque at 

 the sides. 



Subfam. AXIMINJE. 



Antennae 1 3-jointed, inserted in the middle of the face. Prothorax large, not transverse 

 in front. Head with the front produced into large irregular horn-like tubercles. Meta- 

 pectus armed with spine-like tubercles. Petiole armed beneath with a curved spine. 



