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ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



In the case of the specimens under discussion, however, the 

 abdomen tapers rapidly from the base to the apex, which is 

 pointed and decidedly compressed. The ovipositor is enor 

 mously large in comparison with the size of the insect, being 

 of sufficient size to nearly fill the abdomen from base to apex, 

 and when fully exserted, as it is in the case of two specimens, 

 is with the large basal portion nearly twice the length of the 

 abdomen. With the other specimens the ovipositor is but 

 slightly exserted, or almost entirely redrawn into the abdomen. 



The striking character of the ovipositor of this insect is 

 shown in the accompanying illustration. The ovipositor in 

 cludes with supports the yth and 8th abdominal segments, and 



FIG. 5. Metopius rileyi : a, female from side ; b, abdomen of same, show 

 ing ovipositor partly exserted ; c, same, with ovipositor entirely 

 exserted ; d, f and g, terminal segments of abdomen and 

 parts of ovipositor still more enlarged (original). 



all these parts are uniformly shining and reddish-black in 

 color. The connection between the base of the support (9) 

 and segments 7 and 8 is very intimate the lines in the illus 

 tration indicating the union of the plates appearing as 

 scarcely perceptible sutures. The support (9) is deeply 

 grooved beneath, or rather consists of two plates, and the ovi 

 positor proper (10) closes into it like the blade of a knife. At 

 the extreme base of the support and projecting slightly pos 

 teriorly, are the hairy sheaths, and at the tip of the 8th seg 

 ment are the minute stylets found in most Hymenoptera. 



The ovipositor proper consists of the customary three parts, 

 viz : the sheath or lower envelope (10) and two spiculae (n). 

 The base of former is enclosed by and quite firmly at 

 tached to the apex of the support, with which it forms a sort 

 of ball and socket joint (Fig. 5, d, f and g). The spiculae 

 branch near the base of the sheath ; the inner branches unite, 



