PLATE CCCLXXVI. 45 



It will be obferved, that the fpecific defcription of the Linnsean 

 Sphex gibba, left us by Linnaeus himfelf, does not very clearly exprefs 

 our infea, but which it now appears, upon the beft authority, is cer- 

 tainly the one intended by that writer. This obfcure circumftance 

 has been cleared up by Mr. Kirby, who met with the remains of the 

 authentic fpecimen of Sphex gibba in the Linnaaan cabinet, and was, 

 by that means, enabled to afcertain the fpecies meant by Linnaeus, 

 which otherwife might have ever remained a matter of uncertainty. 

 Fabricius, unacquainted with the infeft, or more probably unable to 

 determine the Linnaan infect from the defcription, is content to quote 

 the words of Linnaeus. Mr. Kirby has affigned it a new character, by 

 which the fpecies may, in future, be eafily diftinguifhed. In his ar- 

 rangement, it ftands as a MeUtta, under the fpecific name of Sphe- 

 coides. 



This infe6t is rather rare, our fpecimen was taken in Kent. 



FIG. III. 

 APIS GEOFFRELLA 



GEOFFROY'S BEE. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Black : abdomen rufous, tip and legs black : tarfi and anterior 

 fhanks reddifh. 



Apis Geo f frella. Atra ; abdomine rufo, apice pedibufque nigro- 

 piceis; maxillis, tarfis, tibiifque anticis, rufefcenti- 

 bus. Kirby. Ap. Angl. T. 2. p. 45, 



Geoffroy, 



