1891.] 39 



To sum up, the families examined in this paper should, according 

 to mj opinion, be grouped as follows : — 



I. Nemocera. II. Nemocera anoiiala. 

 CecidomyidsB. Culicidte. Bibionidae. 



Mycetophilidse. Chironomidae. Simulidse. 



Psychodidffi. Blepharoceridse. 



TipulidsB. Rhyphidae. 



(?) Dixidee. Orphnephilidae. 



III. EHBMOCH.ETA. 



StratiomyidsB. 



Tabanidffi. 



Acanthomerid 88. 



Leptidffi (plus Xylophagidee). 



I have prepared a more elaborate paper on the subject discussed 

 here, to be published in the " Berliner Entomologiache Zeitschrift." 

 But I intend to hold it back for some time, in the hope of improving 

 it through the study of exotic forms in some of the large European 

 collections. This preliminary publication may in the mean time prove 

 useful. 



Heidelberg : January, 1891. 



INSECTS, &c., TAKEN IN THE NESTS OF BRITISH VESPIDJE. 



BY B. NEWSTEAD, F.E.S. 



CURATOR, GROSVENOR MUSEUM, CHESTER. 



Having collected all the British Vespidce (except V. crahro) in the 

 Counties of Cheshire and Denbighshire for our Museum, I deemed it 

 necessary to work up their parasites, in order to make our collection 

 more educational. In 18S9 wasps were exceptionally abundant 

 throughout our district, so I thought it a fitting opportunity to collect 

 their nests for the above purpose. 



I think the best plan for taking their nests is" to place a round 

 stick of cyanide of potassium in the burrow leading to the nest in 

 the evening, and to carefully stop the entrance afterwards with a 

 pebble. Before 7 a.m. the following morning the nest should be 

 taken, if not, the pebble must be removed to allow the benighted 

 wasps to enter, of which there are always a goodly number. If the 

 latter plan be adopted, the nest must be left until the evening, when 

 it can be taken without the least danger of being stung. 



All nests taken should be examined at once, and afterwards placed 

 in large flowerpots with a small quantity of earth in them, covered 

 with calico, and placed in a warm outhouse. These, of course, must 



