98 [*Iay. 



fine) become conspicuously dense, and the stigma is very pale, 

 almost white ; in some species the basal segment is very densely 

 punctate along tlie apical margin. 



37 (38) Basal segment of the abdomen with only a few very feeble punctures 



over the whole polished disc, but towards the sides there is an 

 excessively fine, copious or dense, puncturation. 



(Mesonotum shining, tlie punctures remote and very shallow, 

 more or less ill-defined in their outlines; stigma very pale, almost 

 white.) brevicornis Sch. 



38 (37) When the disc of the basal segment is polished and nearly im- 



punctate, there is no dense minute puncturation at the sides. 



(Mesonotum more or less closely, or at least copiously, punc- 

 tured.) 



39 (40) Mesonotal punctures strong for the size of the insect ; the basal 



abdominal segment for the most part very remotely punctured, but 

 along- its apical margin with very dense, fine, distinct punctures. 

 (Face in front view wide, wider than long.) 



.... jyauperatus Br. [breviceps E. S.). 



40 (39) If the basal segment has anj^ resemblance in sculpture to the 



preceding, then the mesonotum is very finely punctured. 



41 (42) Face long and narrow, or oblong-ovate, the basal abdominal segment 



finely and copiously punctured, both on its apical portion and else- 

 where ; size not very minute. . pioictatissimug Sch. 



42 (41) Face in most species roundish or widely ovate ; if otherwise the 



puncturation of the basal segment is not like that of the preceding 

 species. 



43 (44) A very minute, nnrrow species (expanse 8 mm. or less) the anterior 



area of the propodeum with some wrinkles in front, these being 

 often sliort and failing on the posterior part of the area, though the 

 middle one is sometimes percurreiit as a fine median carina. 

 .... minutissivms K. 



44 (43) Species only ordinarily small, except that some examples oi pauxiUus 



do not exceed the preceding in size, but tliat species has the anterior 

 area of the propodeum comparatively strongly, generally reticu- 

 lately, rugose throughout. 

 45*(50) Inner spur of hind tibiae with several spine-like and more or less 

 pointed teeth ; apical impression of the basal abdominal segment 

 obliterated at least on the middle part ; 2nd segment at the base 

 without a distinct tomentose spot on each side. 



46 (49) Second abdominal segment on its apical portion or depression either 



with numerous distinct punctures, or, if with only a few feeble ones, 

 the surface is without distinct, minute, transverse rugulosity; face 

 wide, broadlj' ovate. 



47 (48) 2ud abdominal segment less deep black, being more dei.sely clothed 



with minute hairs, its apical impression genei-ally copiously and 

 distinctly punctured, and not polished, that of the 3rd segment 



* This heading and the corresponding one (50) is only necessary to include the scarce aberra- 

 tions of pauttllus, in which the raised line at the hind angles of the proiiodeum is wanting. The 

 gjiecies belongs to the group of calceafus, and has no real aiiinity with the nitidiusculw! section. 



