84 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.xxiii. 



genera in the different tribes, he is apt to go astra3\ Most females, 

 however, except certain forms at present placed in the tribe Plectis- 

 cini^ seem to be easily placed, while many males belonging to several 

 of the tribes are easily confused with those in different groups. 



The true position of the tribe Plectiscini^ which as at present con- 

 stituted is evidently an unnatural group, is still doubtful. It has 

 affinities allying it with the Tryphonince^ Cryptime^ and other of the 

 subfamilies. 



The subfamily may be divided into twelve groups or tribes, as 

 follows: 



TABLE OF TRIBES. 



Second recurrent nervure joining the cubitus behind the transverse cubitus or inter- 

 stitial witli it; middle tibia? always with two apical spurs 3 



Second recurrent nervure joining the cubitus before the transverse cubitus, or it is 

 entirely wanting {Pharsalta Cresson); if it joins the cubitus brliind 

 the transverse cubitus then the middle tibia' have but a single apical 

 spur - 2 



2. Middle tibite with tiro apical spurs; second recurrent nervure joining the cubitus 



before the transverse median nervure. 

 Antennfc short, clavate; mesosternum beneath flat; mesonotum irllJiout 

 parapsidal furrows; metathorax areolated. 



Tribe I. Hellwigiixi. 



Antenn;e long, subsetaceous; mesosternum beneath not flat, declivous 



before the middle coxte; mesonotum usually with distinct jmrapsi- 



dal furrows; metathorax rarely distinctly areolated, usually wiiJiout 



areas or at most with one or more transverse carin^ie. 



Tribe II. Ophionini. 

 Middle tibi;e with only one apical spur; second recurrent nervure joining the 

 cubitus behind the transverse cubitus or entirely wanting. 



Tribe III. Nototrachini. 



3. Front wings with the stigma large, broadly triangular or broadly ovate; meta- 



thorax not jjroduced into a neck at apex 6 



Front wings with the stigma long and narrow, most frequently lanceolate, rarely 

 broad or broadly triangular, although frequently subovate 4 



4. [Metathorax at apex truncate or romided, but never produced into a neck which 



extends beyond the insertion of the hind coxte 5 



Metatliorax at apex produced into a more or less distinct neck which extends 

 beyond the insertion of the hind coxte; abdomen frequently strongly ^ 

 compressed or compressed toward apex, petiolate, the petiole long, | 

 the spiracles placed much behind the middle. 



Mesonotum most frequently wUlt. distinct parapsidal furrows although some- 

 times without, or only delicately impressed, wanting anteriorly; 

 areolet most frequently wanting; abdomen always long, strongly 

 compressed with the laetiole only slightly and gradually thickened 

 posteriorly, never abruptly swollen at apex; hind tarsi usually more 

 or less distinctly thick«ened, especially in males. 



Tribe IV. Axomalini. 



Mesonotum vnthout parapsidal furrows; areolet often present, sometimes 

 wanting; abdomen as a rule shorter and less strongly compressed, 

 more fusiformly compressed; the petiole somewhat abruptly, con- 



