MONTEZUMIA. 113 



its prey with the eggs which she has deposited in it. Each one 

 of these lumps contains about ten of the cells. Unfortunately we 

 could not discover what composes the prey of the insect which 

 constructs these, the little cells being found occupied by the 

 nymphes already quite prepared to hatch or even by insects 

 already hatched. 



This observation becomes exceedingly interesting by reveal- 

 ing among the solitary wasps a different mode of nidification 

 which is allied to that which one knows among other genera and 

 which recalls the architecture of the Sphegides. So we know 

 that the Eumenes establish for their offspring separate and dis- 

 tinct cells likewise formed of earth ; the Zethus build their nests 

 composed of aggregated cellules, established commonly in vege- 

 table matters and fixed upon little branches of ti'ees. The Ody- 

 nerus nidify in holes in walls, in the stems of plants, etc. The 

 Montezumia, finally, construct their houses of many rooms, a little 

 like those of Zethus, but very much more massively built of earth 

 and stuck against walls or rocks as are those of the Sphegides 

 and some of the mason bees. 



Division ANTEZUMIA. 



Head flattened before (Eumenoide). Abdomen pediculate; 

 the petiole composed of the first segment, of which the first 

 moiety (or the base only) is linear; the secoud moiety being cam- 

 panula^ not receiving the 2d segment. (Appearance nearly like 

 some Pachymenes). 



a. Head very flat ; clypeus entire ; abdomen but little pediculate. 

 1. M. clialyliea Sauss. 



Montezumia chalybea Sacss. Vespides, III, 161, 49 ; pi. ix, fig. 2, J . 



Hab. Brazil. 



b. Head less flat; clypeus truncate or notched ; abdomen more lengthened 

 pediculate. 



H. M. petiolata Sacss. 



Montezumia pctioluta Sauss. Vespides, III, 161, 50; pi. ix, fig. 1, £> . 



Hab. Brazil. 



