'622 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



10 to 12 larvae would be .in a single root, each being enclosed in 

 a cell formed of the hardened vegetable matter, and of a size 

 just sufficient to contain the inhabitant. In some cases the cells 

 were situated so close together as to be in actual contact, as in the 

 gall of Aijliilothrix radicis; but in others they were separated 

 widely from each other. I could not find that the roots were 

 outwardly malformed or enlarged in any way; they appeared not 

 to difter in the least from normal specimens. They were not 

 buried in the earth, but projected out from it. 



The systematic position of the insect is to me not quite clear, 

 but I think that it may be regarded as an Aulax, sensu str. 

 Foerster, in his generic revision of the Cynipidse (Verb, zool.-bot., 

 GeselL, Wien, xix., pp. 327-370), formed three new genera out 

 of species formerly included in the Aulax of Hartig. These new 

 genera (viz., Liposthenes, PerichUstus, and Xestophanes) he describes 

 in full ; and to none of them can the present insect be referred. 

 Unfortunately, Foerster neither describes Aulax in the restricted 

 sense, nor does he mention a type for it ; but in the generic 

 synopsis it is stated to have the " mesonotum nicht glatt," in 

 opposition to the " mesonotum ganz glatt " of Xestojihanes. In 

 this meaning it may be included in Aulax, which will also contain, 

 I suppose, Aulax sahaucU. 



The present insect may be described as 



Aulax graminis, sp. n. • 



Thoracis dorso aciculalis. Niger, abdomine proparle pedihusque 

 rufis; abdominis dorso, coxis, trochanteribus, femoribusque vel su])ra 

 nigris ; antennis r4-15 articulaiis. 



Long. |— 1 lin. 



Black ; the feet (coxae, trochanters, and sometimes a line on the 

 femora, excepted) and abdomen, at base and beneath, ferruginous- 

 red. Antennae black; in female 14, in male 15 jointed. 

 Mesonotum aciculated ; sutures only visible near the scutellum ; 

 scutellum strongly aciculated, with 2 deep impressions at the base. 

 Abdomen very smooth and shining; terebra exserted; tips of 

 tarsi black. Wings as in Xestophanes, but with the costal cellule 

 shorter, more resem]3ling that of Synergus. 



The amount of black on the femora and abdomen varies a good 

 deal. The 3d, 4tli, and 5th basal joints of the antennae are 

 occasionally obscure red. In coloration, the species very closely 



