116 CRABRONIDE., 
Sphex figulus. Lin. 942, 11; F. S. 1650; Fab. E. S. 2. 203. 19; 
Villers, 3. 221.4; Christ. 291; Rossi, 2. 95. 810; Schrank, F. B. 
2. 322. 2160; Panz. 80. 16. 
— leucostoma. Schrank, Enum. Austr. 771. 
Apius figulus. Jurine, 140. Pl. 9. G. 8. 
Entirely black: head opaque, finely punctured, with an im- 
pressed longitudinal line running from the base of the antenne 
to the anterior stemma, the terminal joint of the antennz 
slightly curved and acuminate, and a silvery pubescence cover- 
ing the clypeus and cheeks. 
Thorax opaque, punctured, pubescent; the scutellum with a 
slight depression in the centre; the metathorax with a longi- 
tudinal central impression obliquely striated on each side, not 
extending beyond the subcordiform space upon its surface; the 
wings slightly coloured, with their nervures black and their ex- 
treme margin very dark; legs simple, with a small pulvillus 
placed between the bifid claws at their apex. 
Abdomen shining, with the posterior margins of the segments 
chiefly at the sides covered with a sericeous pubescence 9. 
The & does not differ except in the usual characteristics. 
@ 2 in most Cabinets. 
+4+ This is perhaps the most abundant fossorial insect I 
am acquainted with, it being always found where there is a 
wall, paling, or outhouse. St. Fargeau says it is parasitic, 
and which I supposed to be the case until this year [1835] 
I captured several 9 conveying their prey, consisting of a 
spider; but I still doubt whether the insect makes it own 
cell. lLatreille says not, and I think he is correct, and 
which confirms the observation of Bergman, for it seems to 
frequent the cells of other burrowers. St. Fargeau doubts 
this being the Sphex figulus of Linné, although his descrip- 
tion perfectly agrees with it; and notwithstanding the French 
author’s objection to the bright margins of the segments of 
the abdomen, I have never captured a specimen which did 
