from the State of Vera Cruz. 291 



pubescence ; basal joints of first four tarsi with dense brown- 

 black pubescence on outer side ; outer side of median tibise 

 with short dark fuscous pubescence ; brush of hind tarsi 

 brown-black or sootj. 



San Rafael, three males, March 8, 13, and 23, on Bidens 

 and another composite ; one female, March 8, on Bidens. 



This is closely allied to the U.S. M. agilis, Cresson. They 

 may be separated thus : — 



M. agilis J . M.Jlons S • 



Frout edge of clypeus rufous. Front edge of clypeus black. 



Mandibles with a yellow spot. Mandibles without a yellow spot. 



No black hairs on dorsum of Some black hairs on dorsum of 



thorax. thorax. 



Subapical lateral teeth of abdo- Subapical teeth less developed, 



men better developed. sometimes not noticeable. 



9 hooks on costa of hind wing ; 11 hooks on costa of hind wing ; 



but this is not constant. not constant. 



(9) Melissodes labiataram, sp. n. 



(^ . Length about 11 millim. ; antennae 7. Black ; clypeus, 

 labrum, and a small dot on mandibles yellow. Clypeus with 

 the usual two black dots ; its anterior margin dark rufous. 

 Flagellum ferruginous beneath, its first joint hardly a quarter 

 length of second, but about twice as long as funicle. Head 

 broad; face, occiput, and cheeks with tolerably dense long 

 yellowish-white hairs, none black on vertex, but occiput 

 behind with black hairs. Mesothorax with rather large, not 

 very close punctures, as also the scutellum, postscutellura, 

 and metathorax. Thorax above with erect, not very long, 

 moderately dense pubescence, pale ochreous varying to dull 

 fulvous, black on prothorax, median hind portion of meso- 

 thorax, and scutellum ; some long black hairs at sides of 

 metathorax. Where the pubescence is black the shining 

 punctured surface is visible. Pubescence of pleura pale 

 ochraceous. Tegul^e black. Wings smoky hyaline, outer 

 margin broadly darker, nervures black ; third submar- 

 ginal cell narrowed about one half to marginal ; first trans- 

 verso-cubital nervure oblique, second bent at its middle. 

 Legs with fulvous pubescence, especially dense and bright 

 on hind tibiEe and tarsi, orange-rufous on basal joints of tarsi 

 within ; hind femora above with scattered brown-black hairs. 

 Abdomen black, shining, with thin inconspicuous black 

 pubescence ; base of first segment with long pale fulvous 

 or ochraceous pubescence, black at extreme base ; second 



