PREFACE. 



TuE object of the present Catalogue is to give a complete 

 list of all the genera and species of the Solitary and Social 

 Wasps (Vespid.e) which have been described in works, 

 and a description of those in the British Museum which 

 appear to be hitherto undescribed. 



The letters B.M. in the margin indicate the species now 

 contained in the Collection of the British Museum, and 

 their absence those which are desiderata. 



JOHN EDWARD GRAY. 



2nd March, 1857. 



