some allied Genera of Hymenopterous Insects. 275 



siderations, removed Stcphnnns to the Adsciti, the latter authors 

 observing " Le genre Stephane doit constituer a hii seul une sub- 

 division dans les Brnconides avec ce caractere, palpes maxillaires 

 de 5 articles, les labiaux de quatre " — (Encycl. Meth. 10, p. 488) ; 

 whilst Esenbeck regards Stephanus as the connecting link with 

 Alormja, between the Braconoidei and the Ichnenmones geniuni. — 

 (Hym. Monogr. 1, p. G.) Lastly, Mr. Haliday, in his " Hyme- 

 nopterorum Synopsis," has formed Slephanus into a family distinct 

 from tlie great family Ichneiimonidce, with the character " Pro- 

 thoracis collum elongatum ?" between Agnotypus and the Eva- 

 niadtr characterized " abdomen metathoracis dorso annexum." 



In S. Brasiliensis* the labrum, which does not appear to have 

 been previously described, is small, transverse-quadrate, with the 

 anterior angles rounded, and setose; the mandibles' are nearly 

 triangular, with a very slight tooth on the inside near the tip ; 

 the maxillary palpi are distinctly (J-jointed, and the labial 4-joint- 

 ed ; the antennre have between thirty and forty joints ; the tergum 

 of the prothorax is strongly developed, and extends at the sides 

 to the squamulas ; in front it is suddenly contracted and formed 

 into a distinct neck transversely striated ; the metathorax is as 

 long as the raesothorax. The veining of the fore wings is almost 

 identical with that of such of the Alysiides as have only two sub- 

 marginal cells ; the postcostal vein is not confluent with the costa; 

 the hind wings offer only two distinct longitudinal veins. The 

 remarkable structure of the tarsi has not been before noticed, 

 these parts in the four fore legs are very slender and long, but 

 much shorter and thicker in the hind legs, especially of the 

 females. In all the feet, however, the fourth joint is produced 

 into a long lobe beneath, having the fifth joint inserted quite at 

 its base, so as to cause the fourth joint from above to appear 

 scarcely distinct. The tarsal ungues are entire. The abdomen 

 of the female is represented at PI. XV. fig. 5. 



On reviewing the characters of the genus, it appears to me that, 

 notwithstanding the extended limits assigned to the family, Ste- 

 phanus ought not to be considered as belonging to it, but must be 

 placed amongst the Ichncuniones adsciti near Alysia, (instead of 

 Bracon, Esenbeck's insertion of it amongst the Braconoidei being 

 founded on his erroneous character of the maxillary palpi,) from 

 all which however it is absolutely isolated. In fact, the distinct 

 costal cell, and the slight veining of the hind wings, seem to be 



* The details of the inoutii of this species are figured lu llie " Animal King- 

 dom," Insects, pi. 106, fig. 2a— 2 h. 



