Neiu Fossoricd Hymenoptera from Australia. 419 
striated, the two median striae more distinct than the lateral; the 
posterior truncation of the segment finely transversely striated. 
Abdomen smooth and shining, fusiform, not petiolate. The second 
cubital cell is much higher than long, the first abscissa of the radius 
longer than the second, the recurrent nervure received just before 
the apex of the first cubital cell. Stigma nearly twice as long on the 
costa as its greatest breadth. 
Testaceous ; the head black, antennae testaceous. Wings hyaline, 
strongly iridescent, nervures and stigma pale testaceous. Length 
3'5 mm. 
Hah. N, Queensland, Kuranda, August (ex coll. 
Ferhins). 
This is the first species of Spilomena recorded from 
Australia; it is much larger than the European species, 
but only differs slightly in neuration and structure. In 
colour there is a close resemblance to Fison melanocephalum, 
Turn., and to a species of Halictus, both found in the 
same locality. It is remarkable that this plan of colouring 
should be prevalent at Cairns, whereas at Mackay several 
degrees further south none of these species occur. It is 
possible that the colouring may have some connection 
with the conditions which prevail locally, Cairns being a 
district of dense tropical jungle, and open grass country 
largely predominating at Mackay. 
Sphex mimulus, sp. nov. 
9. Mandibles with three teeth, the outer one long and pointed, 
the second, on the inner margin, strong and broad, the third small. 
Clypeus almost transverse on the apical margin, produced in the 
middle into two small teeth which are separated from each other 
by a shallow emargination. Head subopaque, very shallowly 
punctured, the front and clypeus clothed with very fine silver 
pubescence, with sparse, long, black hairs. Posterior ocelli a little 
further from the eyes than from each other; second joint of the 
flagellum half as long again as the third joint. Scutellum flat, post- 
scutellum without a groove or tubercles, median segment coriaceous, 
with a few indistinct striae on the sides. Abdomen shining, with¬ 
out punctures, the petiole of the basal segment as long as the third 
joint of the posterior tarsi. Second cubital cell rhomboidal, the 
third very short on the radial nervure; first recurrent nervure 
^ received close to the apex of the second cubital cell, almost inter¬ 
stitial with the second transverse cubital nervure; radial cell 
