FAMILY CYNIPID2E. 145 



the latter in the middle (PI. X, &c.). The first (4) 

 and third (7) cubital cellules are seldom complete, this 

 being more particularly the case with the third. 



The second cellule (areolet) (6) is either completely 

 closed, as in Cynips, closed laterally and open on the 

 lower side, as in some Figitides, or entirely absent, its 

 position being represented merely by a thickening of 

 the nervures, the transverse cubital nervures being 

 obliterated, as in Kleditoma, &c. 



According to some authors (see Osten-Sacken, Proc. 

 Ent. Soc. Phil., 1861) the radial nervure issues from the 

 areolet ; thus they do not regard the little angled ner- 

 vure (c) as part of the radius, and call it the " second 

 transverse nervure;" the first being, according to them, 

 what I call the transverse basal. If this view be cor- 

 rect, then the radial cellule is bounded by three ner- 

 vures, by the subcostal, the " second recurrent," and 

 by the radial nervure proper. It appears to me, how- 

 ever, that it is simply the first abscissa of the radius, 

 and not a distinct nervure. If it be regarded as one 

 of the recurrent nervures it will differ in position 

 from all the other Hymenoptera, which always receive 

 the recurrent nervures in the cubital cellules and on 

 the under side. A reference to the Braconidse will, 

 however, show to us that it is undoubtedly the first 

 abscissa of the radius, the only difference between it 

 and a Braconid (say Agathis) being that it is elbowed. 



The thorax is well developed. The prothorax late- 

 rally reaches to the tegulse, the pleural region being 

 large and prominent. In front it is very slightly 

 developed, usually transverse or nearly so, and bearing 

 a keel which (especially in the middle) is usually very 

 prominent. In some genera it is incised in the middle, 

 or projects into two tubercle-like bodies. The meso- 

 thorax is usually convex above. The parapsidal fur- 

 rows are in many genera present, and may be complete 

 or reach only half-way. They may be smooth, crenu- 

 lated, or punctured. The mesopleura has generally 

 an oblique depression in front. Sometimes (e.g. 



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