418 Dr. J. Waterston 07i a new 



as tliougli varnished, and tliis I believe is due to the nature 

 of the epidermis, and is not artiticial." In orthodoii the 

 surface is not at all glossy when dry. 



Along with this species were collected the following 

 cchiiiodernis: — Astropecten vapp<i inoiqualis, Fisher; Linckia 

 Uvvigata (Jj\\\\\.) ; Ophiothrix stelligera, Lyman; Oph'iarach- 

 nellii iiifernalis (M. & T.) ; Ophiactis saviynyi (M. & T.); 

 Polycheira ru/esctns (Brandt). 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE X. 



Fi;/. 1. Asterina orthodon, abactiiial aspect. X 35. 

 Fitj, 2. The same, actiual surface, x 3"5. 



XLVII. — A new Family of Hymenoptera from South Africa. 

 By James Watekston, B.D., l).Sc., Assistant Keeper, 

 Department of Entomology, British j\luseum. 



[Plate XL] 



(Published by penuissiou of the Trustees of the British Museum.) 



Amongst tiie large collection of Hymenoptera made by 

 J\ir. liowland E. Turner during the past two years in South 

 Africa, and by him generously presented to the British 

 Museum, is a unique ? whose structure is so unusual that it 

 seems necessary to create a new fan)ily for its reception. 

 That the insect in question is parasitic seems probable, but 

 the combination of characters which it exhibits is so remark- 

 able as to preclude placing it in any of the presently recog- 

 nised divisions of the order. Its only affinitiefi apparently 

 are with the Australian Megalyridse. 



DinapsidsB, fam. no v. 



Neuration as follows : — Fore wing, median vein (cubitus) 

 eniirely wanting; 1st transverse and basal veins coincident, 

 i. e. the nervulus interstitial. Costa and subcosta enclosing 

 a large cell, stigma small, cubital vein rising from the middle 

 of the basal, well developed, but not reaching the outer 

 margin. The following cells are present: a costal, radial, 

 and, at least, one cubital. The subcostal and median cells 

 are conflueiit. Hind wings with the neuration much leduced, 

 only the subcosta and the basal stump of the radius being- 

 present. The subcostal cell is very narrow. Propodeon flat, 



