374 Dr. A. S. Packard, Jr's Revision of the 



two smaller specimens have the scutellum black. All agree in the 

 mode of sculpturing, the spotted wings and the abdominal fasciae. The 

 heads vary a little in size and comparative length and breadth. Though 

 this species shows an unusual tendency to variation, the specimens 

 atrree in the most essential characters. 



Section B. 

 Blepharipus ater, Pack. 



Crabro atcr, Cresson, Proc. iv. p. 477. (1865). 



In this species the enclosure of the propodeum is smooth and highly 

 polished, the abdomen shows a slight tendency to become pedunculated, 

 and thus connects the pedicellate and sessile species. A specimen from 

 West Virginia, differs from the Colorado specimens in having the scape 

 of the antennas yellow beneath, and the hind tibiae whitish-yellow at 

 base. Those from Maine differs only in size from those of Colorado, 

 being smaller. 



Col. Terr., West Va., Ridings, (Coll. Ent. Soc). Brunswick, Me. 

 August, on flowers. 



Blepharipus ater presents most interesting differences from B. macu- 

 lipennis and B. 4-macuIatus of Europe. They are of such a nature as 

 to throw B. ater into a distinct section of the genus, characterized by 

 the smooth, highly polished, broad cordate enclosure of the propodeum, 

 while the body is deep black, immaculate and more coarsely punctured 

 than in the other species. 



Blepharipus impressifrons. 



C. tibialis, Say, Long's 2nd Exp. Appendix, p. 340. (1S24). Preoccupied. 

 Harr. Cat. Ins. Mass. p. 68. (1835). 



Crabro impressifrons, Smith, Cat. Hym. Br. Mus. iv. p. 417. (1856). 

 $ . Head cubical, two-thirds as long as broad, vertex full convex ; 

 ocelli arranged in an equilateral triangle, deeply channeled towards the 

 antennal groove. In front the head does not narrow much towards 

 the clypeal region, which is covered with a dense silvery pubescence, 

 extending to the orbits. Mandibles black, acutely bidentate, hirsute 

 towards the base on the upper and lower edges. Antennae slender, 

 scape slender, with a dark stripe on the inside; flagellum black, joiuts 

 stout, slightly swollen, sutures well denned, terminal joints obconic. 

 Head finely and sparsely punctured. 



Prothorax convex above, not angulated on the sides, with a slight. 

 mesial notch, with a continuous yellow band across. On the meso- 

 scutum a distinct impressed mesial line; sub-mesial ridges* short, in- 

 distinct; on scutellum a large conspicuous, lunate, yellow band; post- 



* See the import of these in Chalcis sp. 



*. 



