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TRYPHONIN®.—In this and the following sub-family the abdomen instead of 
being compressed laterally and thus being more or less knite-shaped, is cylindrical or 
flattened vertically, especially the basal segment, which instead of forming a 
slender petiole, is in the majority of genera attached to the thorax by its 
full width. In the present sub-family the ovipositor is short and not exserted. 
There are a number of genera, of which Mesoleptus and Tryphon are the most 
important, but without figures it would be difficult to satisfactorily describe any 
of the species. Euceros is distinguished by its flattened antenne and Chorinzus 
by having one or two segments of the abdomen longitudinally keeled above, as 
in the genus Rhogas of the Braconide. 
PimpLin&.—This sub-family contains many fine species, including the largest 
and most striking of all our Hymenoptera. The structure of the abdomen is 
generally as in the preceding sub-family, but the exserted ovipositor is usually 
at least half the length of the abdomen, and not unfrequently is much longer 
than the whole body of the insect. This development of the ovipositor is due to 
the fact that the victims of those species in which it is very long are usually 
wood-borers, dwelling in burrows in the wood or under the bark of various trees 
and apparently secure from the attacks of the enemies of more exposed species. 
Arotes contains several handsome species; black, with markings of yellow or 
white, and with the ovipositor about the length of the insect. I have found them 
ovipositing in dead hickory, infested by Saperda discoidea, ete. Of Rhyssa there 
are five species recorded from Canada, of which R. persuasoria is also found in 
Europe. This is a large species, the female (with ovipositor) being 2} inches in 
length. The general colour is black, with white markings, but the legs are 
rufous. Provancher states that this species is an especial parasite of the large 
pine-borers, Monohammus confusor and M. scutellatus. I have not recognized 
the species at Ottawa yet, but have a male apparently belonging to it from Rey. 
G. W. Taylor, of Victoria, B.C. The closely allied genus Thalessa contains the 
giants of the Parasitica, those large species popularly known as “ Long-stings.” 
Two species, atrata and lunator, are common, while three others, which may be 
perhaps varieties, are recorded. The specific name of Thalessa atrata signifies 
that the species is black, and this is true of the female, with the exception of the 
head, the antenne and portions of the legs. The male, however, has the legs 
almost entirely yellow, the thorax much varied with the same colour, and the 
abdomen much lighter than that of the female. A large female measures fully 
an inch and a half from the head to the tip of the abdomen, beyond which the 
ovipositor extends five inches. The legs, wings and antennz are developed in 
proportion, so that the motions of the insect are active and she flies strongly. The 
size of these insects and their curious method of oviposition (egg-placing) have 
made them objects of much interest to entomologists. Their larve are parasites 
(feeding externally) of the grubs of the wood boring “ Horn tail” called Tremex 
columba. I am sorry that space does not permit me to give a fuller account of 
their habits, which have been very carefully worked out by Prof Riley. In 7. 
lunator, which is asomewhat smaller species and more variable in size, the thorax 
and abdomen are largely marked with yellow. To those who wish to observe 
these insects I may say that they can generally be found about old maples and 
beeches in midsummer. , 
The genus Ephialtes contains several fine species having the abdomen 
tuberculate along the sides and the ovipositor as long as the insect itself. L. 
irritator, which I have taken on dead hickory in June has the abdomen and legs 
red, but other large species such as gigas and occidentalis are black, with the 
exception of the legs. 
