310 Mr. a. R. Hodkin's Notes on 



The whole of one side of the nest is attached to the tree, 

 and the external wall exhibits a sli<fht " ribbinji." The 

 nests are often a foot or more in length. The sting of this 

 species is particularly formidable, and it does not hesitate 

 to use it when occasion arises. The adult wasps may 

 often be seen feeding on decaying fruit which has fallen 

 on the ground, and they frequently visit certain species 

 of flowers. I have taken specimens of this insect with 

 the " polhnia " of a species of Euphorbiaceous plant 

 attached to its legs; this is by no means a common 

 occurrence. 



S. irina, Spin. An uncommon species in the interior. 



Genus Apoica, Lepeletier. 



A. pallida, Oliv. A common species on the coast lands. 

 The nest, which is invariably attached to a tree and never 

 far from the ground, is disc-shaped. The under surface 

 consists of innumerable cells, the ends of which are exposed. 

 The under surface is invariably crowded with adult wasps, 

 which attach themselves each to a particular cell and re- 

 main motionless, an aspect is thus presented of a cluster of 

 wasps adhering to the under surface of the nest ; in this 

 position the bright yellow tips of their abdomens are very 

 conspicuous. They do not readily move from this position, 

 and if slightly disturl)ed will only make a slight move- 

 ment. Once while observing a large nest of this species 

 I happened to approach rather too near, when one wasp 

 left the nest and stung me on the forehead immediately 

 between the eyes, and returned at once to its original posi- 

 tion. The effect of the sting was as though a blow had 

 been delivered, and in a short space of time a swelling the 

 size of a fowl's egg made its appearance, accompanied by 

 considerable pain. The species is readily attracted to 

 artificial light. 



A. j)allens, F. Issororo, N.W.D. 



Genus Mischocyttarus, Saussure. 



M. labiatus, F. A fairly common species on the coast 

 lands. Only small nests are constructed. 



Subfamily EUMENIDINAE. 

 Genus Montezumia, Sauss. 

 M. leprieuri, Spin. (1841) (= M. rodivayi, Cam. (1911). 

 An unconnnon species taken in the vicinity of Georgetown. 



