216 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



Take fig. 18, for example. Here, you will notice, the second 

 segment is very short about half the length of the third, with 

 two oblique grooved lines. Compare this now with the others 

 figured and see what a great difference there is. 



In fig. 19 the second segment is almost twice as long as the 

 third, while the oblique grooved lines are wanting. In fig. 20 

 the second and third are nearly equal; in fig. 21 it is about 2^ 

 times longer than the third ; while in fig. 22 it is only a little 

 shorter than the third, with two oblique grooved lines that are 

 approximate at base. 



To still further illustrate the value of these charaters, which I 

 find to be of the greatest importance in classifying most of the 

 groups in the Microhymenoptera, 1 have illustrated the abdomi 

 nal characteristics of five different genera in the group Eurytom- 

 inaB. 



Figs. 23 and 24 illustrate the female and male of Isosoma ; 

 figs. 25 and 26, female and male of Decatoma; figs. 27 and 

 28, female and male of Bruchophagus ; figs. 29 and 30, female 

 and male of Eurytoma ; while figs. 31 and 32 represent the 

 female and male of the rare genus Axima, represented at pres 

 ent by only two species one described by Walker, from Brazil ; 

 the other by Howard, from New York. 



A few words more, and I am done. The subject to which I 

 have called your attention is both an extensive and an important 

 one, and in my remarks to-night I have only barely touched upon 

 some of the more important characters. I have said nothing of 

 the antennae, the shape and structure of the legs, the tibial spurs 

 and the claws, and their importance in classification, while I have 

 but briefly touched upon venation. 



To say all I should like to say would fill a volume, but I trust 

 I have said sufficient to show the importance of the subject and 

 to bring our students in line with the work being done abroad. 



I have described many species in the groups spoken of this 

 evening, and have myself been described as a species maker. 



In conclusion, however, allow me to say that there is no ento 

 mologist who knows better or appreciates more thoroughly than 

 I the work that is before us. I know and feel there is something 

 higher, something grander, something more ennobling than mere 



