256 Mr. E. Saunders' /wr^Aer notes on the 



an'd affording excellent specific characters ; armature 

 with the cardo generally very long (see PL XIII., figs. 6, 

 6 a, 6h). In Ceropales the penicilli are very wide and 

 foliaceous, not constricted at the base, and not palpi- 

 form, in fact are mere lateral productions of the apical 

 margin. 



AstatidcE (Astata). — This genus, alone of the section 

 with short prothoraces, so far as my examinations have 

 gone, has distinct penicilli (see PI. XIII., fig. 8). This, I 

 think, is very interesting, as in habits it certainly comes 

 near Pompilus, and in general character will not agree 

 with any other group. Thomson has created a family 

 for the genus ; and I certainly think its peculiarities 

 warrant its adoption. Eighth dorsal valve exposed, 

 truncate at its extremity. 



Sjiheijidce. — No penicilli ; eight ventral segments ex- 

 posed, 8th generally flattened and wide ; armature very 

 variable ; cardo short ; stipites often armed with strong 

 spine-like bristles (see PL XIIL, fig. 11). 



Larridce. — Eighth segment narrow ventrally, often 

 emarginate at the apex ; stipites of the armature sub- 

 depressed and rather wide, except in Palarus (see 

 PL XIIL, fig. 19), which would, I think, be well placed 

 in a separate family, the 8th segment ventrally being 

 rounded, and the stipites exceedingly long and narrow, 

 and bent downwards, fringed with long apical hairs. 



Pemphredonidce. — Eighth dorsal valve simple, ventral 

 valve armed with an exposed, recurved, or at least 

 straight process ; genital armature often with the 

 stipites very thin, and overlapping at the apex. 



Miviesidce. — Almost identical with the preceding 

 family. 



Bcmhccidce. — As above stated, very like the ScolUdce. 

 Eighth dorsal segment simple or bidentate, ventral 

 segment with a single short spine, 7th segment much 

 narrowed to the apex ; armature with the stipites much 

 flattened, and somewhat elongate towards the apex, 

 which is rounded (see PL XIIL, figs. 12, 12^). 



Nyssonidce. — Very like the Bcvihecidce in the shape of 

 the armature ; 8th dorsal segment simple, 8th ventral 

 with a single apical spine or process ; or in Stizus 

 (see PL XIII., figs. 14, 14 a), Stizomorpkus and Bemhe- 

 cinus with three prongs, as in Scolia. 



Mellmidce {Mellinus). — Eighth dorsal segment simple, 

 8tli ventral with a short apical process ; genital arma- 



