OF NOKTHUMBEELAND AND DURHAM. 147 



Family 6. NYSSONID^, Leach. 



Genus 1. NYSSON, Lntr. 



1. N. sj)inosus, Fab. DaMb., Hym. Europ., I., 168, 100, 

 and 484, 1 ; Smith, Monog., 97, 1. 



Near Swalwell, Mr. J. Hardy. I have found it abundantly in 

 the western part of Northumberland, and about Lanercost, in 

 June and July. Unlike most of the order, it is a very sluggish 

 creature. 



Genus 2. GORYTES, Latr. 



1. G. mystaceus, Linn. Dahlb. Hmym. Europ., I., 166, 98; 



Smith, Monog., 102, I. 



Gidside, and elsewhere, abundant. July. I have seen it re- 

 peatedly searching strawberry beds for the larva of Ptyelus spu- 

 maria, which it carries off, clasped most lovingly to its breast 

 with the intermediate legs. 



2. Of. quadrifasciatus, Fab. Shuck, Foss. Hym., 215, 3; 



Smith, Monog., 105, 3. 



Not uncommon by the Derwent side, near Axwell Park. June 

 to August. 



Genus 3. HARPACTUS, Shuck. 



1. H. tumidus, Panz. Shuck, Foss. Hym., 222,2; Smith, 

 Monog., 109, 1. 



G-ibside, Mr. J. Hardy. 



Genus 4. MELLINUS, Fab. 



1. M. arvensis, Linn. Dahlb., Hym. Europ., I., 226, 131 ; 

 Smith, Monog., 113, 1. 



This, the most abundant of our local Sand Wasps, frequents 

 sandy places, both on the sea coast and inland. It preys upon 



