100 XOTES OX ACULEATE HYMEXOPTEEA. 



male is the one usually assigned to the species by all 

 authors ; Kirby once observed the male entering the nest ; 

 no doubt was entertained upon the subject, but such records 

 have their value, they confirm previous opinion and place 

 the matter beyond a doubt. 



On examining the serie« of specimens of Cerceris sabulosa 

 I was much pleased to discover four examples from Devon- 

 shire, presented to the Museum by Dr. Leach, numbered by 

 himself, and agreeing with the List entered in the Register; 

 these specimens prove to be a species new to Britain— Cer- 

 ceris emarginata — & species which occurs in France and 

 Germany. 



Little more remains to be added on the score of novelties, 

 except to record the capture of a male of Tentliredo cingulata. 

 I am acquainted with no species of the genus Tentliredo which 

 is usually more abundant than T. cingulata ; when the fern 

 shoots up a few inches above ground, this insect may be ob- 

 served settling on the young plants ; capture some — they are 

 all females! I have swept large tracts of ground where the 

 insect abounded, scores have fallen into my net, all females ! 

 What are the habits of the males and where are they to be 

 found ? This question has presented itself to me many a time ; 

 I have hunted for them before the young fern was an inch 

 above ground, when not a female could be found; a little 

 later — when the females abounded; and again, when they 

 had disappeared ; I have sought adjoining localities, hoping 

 to find the males attracted by flowers, all was vain research, 

 year after year. Tn the beginning of last May, I took a 

 single example of the male, at Southgate, settling on the 

 young fern-heads. Is it, that this sex is as one to a thousand 

 females? I have almost been led to entertain an opinion 

 similar to that which at present exists respecting the genus 

 Cynips : Cynips has no males ! The same opinion may 

 almost be pardoned should it be promulgated of Tentliredo 



