WALSH DESCRIPTIONS OF N. AM. HYMENOPTERA. 13I 



ist abdominal joint occur in conquisitor^ Say, inquisitor^ Say, 

 and scriptifrons^ n. sp. ; and the coloral ion of the coxae and tro- 

 chanters varies sexually in several other species according to the 

 usual law, viz. that d* legs are lighter-colored than $ legs. The 

 size varies enormously 4n annulipes and conquisitor^ Say, and 

 would probably be found to do so in other species also if we 

 could generalize on an equally large number of specimens. The 

 coloration, on the contrary, is very constant, especially in the legs. 

 The bullse are 5 in number, A placed above B on the terminal side 

 of the areolet, the two being generally separated only by a very 

 minute space, and in annulipes being confluent ; C and D gen- 

 erally separated by a considerable space, but in the above-named 

 species sometimes only by a minute space and sometimes not at 

 all ; and E rather further from the areolet than from the angle of 

 the 1st recurrent vein. 



Section i. — Areolet subpentagonal. 



Pimpla melanocepbala, Brulle. — ^. — Yellowish-rufous. Jleadblackf 

 subopaque, with rather sparse, very fine punctures, polished on the ver- 

 tex; a geminate, roundish, rufous spot transversely arranged under the 

 antennae. Mandibles except their teeth rufous. Palpi pale yellowish- 

 rufous. Antennae nearly as long as the body, brown-black, the scape and 

 the extreme base of the flagellum yellowish-rufous beneath; ist joint ot 

 flagellum 2^ times as long as wide. Thorax polished, with sparse, almost 

 microscopic punctures, more close-set above; the mesonotum reddish' 

 brown, except the scutel and a line on each parapsidal groove. Metatho- 

 rax (as in Ichneumon generally) with an elongate central area and lateral 

 triangular area, which last however is not bisected by any transverse ca- 

 rina; the area on each side these last punctate and subopaque; the area 

 of the posterior declivity hexagonal. Abdomen polished, with sparse, 

 almost microscopic punctures; the normal tubercles subobsolete. Joint i 

 narrower by \ at the tip than the base of 2, full i longer than wide, its 

 sides nearly parallel except on the basal \ where they gradually converge; 

 the usual 2 carina distinct and nearly attaining the tip. Joints 2-8 tinged 

 with reddish-brown towards their base. Ovipositor rufous, about i as 

 long as the body; sheaths black, very finely and sparsely pubescent, 

 scarcely tapered, i as wide as the last tarsal joint of the hind legs. Legs 

 short and robust. Tarsal claws robust, and, as well as the whole of 

 the last joint of the hind tarsi, brown. Wings subhyaline, tinged with 

 smoky yellow and at their extreme tip with fuscous ; veins black, radius 

 rufous; stigma rufous, its disk paler; areolet pentagonal, its anterior side 

 only \ as long as either of the adjacent sides, and the 2d recurrent vein 

 entering it | of the way to its tip. Bullae normal ; C and D pretty wide 

 apart. Length $ .37 (Brulle ,56) inch. Front wing $.33 inch. Ovipos. 

 .17 (Brulle .20) inch. 



