Abu was separated from the Cimbices by Dr. Leach, and is 

 easily distinguished from his genus Zarcea, which it most re- 

 sembles, by the three last joints of the antennae forming a club, 

 whereas in Zarcea it is composed of only 2 ; and the singular 

 quadrate spot upon the abdomens of the males at once distin- 

 guishes that sex from the whole family. 



Abia nigr-icornis appears to have been considered by Lin- 

 naeus as the female of Tenthredo nitcns, and by Fabricius as a 

 variety of Civibex sericea. Amongst other distinctions, how- 

 ever, the colour of the antennae, the brown markings of the 

 wings, and the situation and form of the spot upon the ab- 

 domen of the males are sufficient, now that the sexes of both 

 have been taken, to justify its being recorded as a distinct spe- 

 cies. It was, I believe, never before figured. It has been taken 

 at Coombe Wood, by J. F. Stephens, Esq., in the month of 

 June. A sericea, the other species inhabiting this kingdom, 

 has been found on heaths upon Furze-bushes, in June, and 

 sometimes occurs in considerable abundance : it is figured by 

 Donovan in his Brit. his. v. 12. pi. 402. 



The plant represented is Genista anglica (Needle Furze, or 

 Petty Whin). 



