March, 1919.] Review. 103 



nomic standard for this order which has been undeniably equalled by 

 myrmecologists, but rarely by the students of other families, except 

 possibly by one to whom, by reason of his nationality, it is at present 

 a less pleasant duty to pay tribute, the late Franz Friederick Kohl. 



The subject matter is more comprehensive than the title of the 

 memoir would imply. Xot only in its characteristics as a whole, but 

 genus by genus the Ethiopian fauna is placed in relation to that of 

 other regions, especially as regards the structural characteristics of 

 the African species. The elaboration of excellent structural char- 

 acteristics for the separation of the species of the various genera of 

 the Belgian Congo will doubtless be a stimulus and a great help to 

 similar work in other regions. The ethology of these wasps, embrac- 

 ing as they do both solitary and social as well as transitional forms, 

 is of a great deal of interest, and Dr. Bequaert not only makes note- 

 worthy contributions to this field, but summarises in connection with 

 each group what -is already known. 



The general features of the taxonomy mark a decided step in 

 advance in the classification of these wasps, and are in distinct con- 

 trast to the somewhat slovenly and ill-digested classifications of Ash- 

 mead and Dalle Torre. Dr. Bequaert includes in his family Vespidse 

 not only the social wasps, but also those solitary and semi-solitary 

 species more often classed as Eumenidse and Masaridae. None of 

 the latter come within the Belgian Congo and consequently there is 

 not much said about them. The remaining Vespidse he divides into 

 eight subfamilies, the extent, distribution characters and ethology of 

 which are expressed in the adjoining table, which I have thought it 

 worth while to draw up from the facts as he states them. 



The Raphiglossinae are a small group transitional between the 

 masarid groups and the diploptera. They are undoubtedly the most 

 generalized of the families tabulated. Dr. Bequaert suggests that 

 Gayella may not belong with this group, and in this I am confident 

 that he is correct. The Zethinse and Eumeninae, comprising most of 

 the old family Eumenidae, together contain 75 per cent, of the species 

 and 50 per cent, of the genera of the world of these eight subfamilies. 

 They are both composed of solitary wasps, but each contain species 

 exhibiting development toward social or at least communistic life. 



The Stenogastrinse are a connecting link between the solitary and 



