(34 Mr. F. 1). Muricc on new or doubtful 



IX. — Descriptions of new or doubtful Species of the Genus 

 Ammopliila {Kirby) from Algeria. By F. D. MoRlCi:, 

 F.E.S. 



The notes following should have formed part of an account 

 \vhich Mr. 8aunders and myself are now preparing of Hyme- 

 nojitera taken in Algeria by the Kev. A. E. Eaton in 1893-97 

 or by me in 1898. They are published now as the larger 

 work cannot be ready for some time, and I have promised 

 Hcrr Kohl, who is engaged on a monograph of Ammopliila, to 

 describe as speedily as possible some of my captures in that 

 genus which he considered to be new. 



'ihe species to be dealt with comprise three (possibly four) 

 of the group Fsammophila, one of Parapsamniophilaj and five 

 oi Ammophila (sensu stricto). 



All are from Biskra. Mr. Eaton took several others of 

 this genus, and I a few, elsewhere; but all the latter appear 

 referable to well-known species. 



A few preliminary explanations may here be given as 

 briefly as possible : — 



(a) In numbering the abdominal segments I have not 

 reckoned the propodeum. 



(b) 'i he measurements of petioles &c. have been made 

 according to the methods used by Kohl in his monograph of 

 tSpJiex, with the help of a camera lucida. By "length of 

 petiole" I mean, as he does, the apparent length of that part 

 of the first ventral plate which is completely visible when the 

 object is viewed directly from above, reckoned from [i. e. not 

 including) the muscle uniting it with the abdomen to the base 

 of the first dorsal plate. 



(c) The term " tarsal pecten " may be here explained. The 

 female anterior metatarsus swells at its apex outwards into a 

 sort of lobe in w hich are set three spines, one very stout and 

 considerably bent, the others, lying under it, straighter and 

 more slender. Between these three apical spines and the 

 base of the metatarsus runs an even row of (usually) four 

 other spines, which form the " pecten." The metatarsus bears 

 many other more or less spine-like hairs or bristles both exter- 

 nally and internally, but the.'-e form no part of the definite 

 series constituting the " pecten," and one soon learns not to 

 contuse them with it. 



{d) The following terms may also need some definition, as 

 authors have not always employed them in the same senses. 

 By "pilosity " 1 mean longish erect hairs, pale or dark, scattered 

 or dense, but never (in clean specimens) matted into a felt- 



