ADVERTISEMENT. 



The presenl publication is the first part of a Synopsis of 

 American Vespidae or Wasps, prepared by Dr. Henri De Saus- 

 sure of Geneva, Switzerland, one of the highest living authorities 

 on the Bubject. 



This work relates to the " Solitary Wasps,'' and has been the 

 result of many years of careful study and patient investigation. 

 Unforeseen events have occurred to delay its publication, in addi- 

 tion to the loss of time occasioned by the necessity of transmit- 

 ting the proofs and revises to the author in Europe. 



In the introduction will be found suggestions by the distin- 

 guished author as to the philosophy of points of natural history, 

 well worthy the attention of the general students of this branch 

 of science, and the whole work will doubtless be considered a 

 valuable addition to the sources of knowledge on entomology. 



The [nstitution acknowledges the important aid rendered in 

 the translation of the work into English, its careful preparation 

 for the press and the revision of the proof-sheets, by Mr. Edward 

 Norton " ! Farmington, Conn., whose services have also been 

 acknowledged in the annexed dedication by the author. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 



Sewetary S. I. 

 Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, December, 1875. 



(ii) 



PHILADELPHIA 

 COLLINS, PRINTER. 



