262 Say^s Descriptions of 



r 



Length nearly three twentieths of an inch. 

 Distinguished at once from the ensiger by the oblique 



thoracic lines. 



3. M. xi/Iina. Tergum at tip polished ; sides of the 



venter yellowish. 



Inhabits Indiana. 



Body black, much punctured : anteniKZ brownish be- 

 neath : palpi white : thorax destitute of oblique lines, 

 but with the transverse, dilated, deeply indented groove 

 m base of the scutel, having small raised lines within, 

 which are not very obvious : wings hyaline : nervure of 

 the radial cellule obsolete at base ; second cubital cellule 

 destitute of the exterior nervure : stigma triangular, fus- 

 cous : tergum oblong-oval, punctured, glabrous, and pol- 

 ished at tip ; basal segment rather rough, the lateral edge 

 a httle elevated and dull yellowish ; venter each side, 

 excepting at tip, dull yellowish : oviduct not exserted be- 

 yond the tip of the abdomen : feet honey-yellow, tips of 

 the posterior thighs above slightly blackish. 



Length nearly one tenth of an inch. 



It resembles the ensiger very much iri its markings, 

 but the oviduct is not exserted. Great numbers are de- 

 posited together, and they ultimately spin their cocoons 

 and envelope them with an exquisitely fine silky sub- 

 stance, which has been called " animal cotton." 



4- M, congregata. Black ; thorax destitute of oblique, 



lined sutures ; abdomen elongate, subfusiform. 

 Inhabits Pennsylvania. 



$ Body black : mandibles and palpi white : thorax 

 destitute of oblique, lined sutures ; transverse suture at 

 base of the scutel dilated, profound: wings hyaline; 

 radial cellule with the nervure as obvious as the others ; 

 second cubital cellule rounded, destitute of the exterior 



