VESPlDiE. 
Ins, 131 
Saussure, H. de. Synopsis of American Wasps: Solitary Wasps. Sm. 
misc. Coll. xiv. No. 264, pp. xxxv. 385, 4 col. pis. (Dec., 1875). 
[Noticed in Zool. Rec. xii. p. 388, and xiv. Ins. p. 98.*] 
In the introductory portion, the author gives a sketch of his previous 
publications on the subject ; observations on the rules of nomenclature ; 
types (in many cases the females are very distinct, but the males are un- 
distinguishable), preparation, and determination. The introduction con- 
cludes with an analytical table of the groups and genera. The species of 
many of the large genera are also tabulated. The following known 
species are figured : — Zethus {Zethusculus) aztecus, Sauss., figs. 1 & \a, Z. 
(Z.) spinosus, S., figs. 2 & 2 a, Z. (Z.) montezuma^ S., figs. 3 & 3 a, Z. 
(Didymogastra) poeyi, S., figs. A & i a, Z. (D.) chicotencati, S., figs. 6 & 5u, 
Eumenes {Pachymenes) santa-anna^ S., figs. 3 & 3a, E. regulus, S., figs. 7, 
1 a, & lb, E. mexicanus, S., figs. 8& 8 a, pi. i., Montezumia huasteca, 
figs. 9 & 9 a, mexicana, fig. 10, pi. ii., Odynerus hidens, S., figs. 14 & 14 a, 
itiirhidi, S., figs. 16 & 16 a, arvensis, S., figs. 16 & 16 a, californicus, S., 
figs. 17 & 17 a, sulfureus, S., figs. 18 & 18 a, leucomelas, S., figs. 19 & 19 a, 
pi. iii., Odynerus otomitus, S., fig. 21, pedestris, S., figs. 22 & 22 a, teto- 
nacus. fig. 23, zendalus, S., figs. 24 & 24 a, perennis, S.. fig. 25, coyotus, S., 
fig. 26, iacuhaycB, S., fig. 27, bacuensis, S., figs. 28 & 28 a, dilectus, figs. 29 
& 29 a, denticulatus, S., figs. 30 & 30 a, and Pterochilus mexicanus, 
S., figs. 31 & 31 a, pi. iv. One new genus and the following new 
subgenera are described : — Eumenes, sect. Beta, p. 88 : much more 
slender than in Pareumenes, thorax cubic, as in div. Omicron, but more 
slender ; to contain Eum. nortonianus, cressonianus, and simulans, spp. nn. 
(vide infra). Montezumia, sect. Antezumia, p. 113: head flattened before, 
abdomen pediculate, petiole composed of the first segment, the base of 
which is linear, and the second half campanular, not receiving the second 
segment ; appearance like that of some Pachymenes ; to include M, 
chalybea, petiolata, and brunea (sic), Sauss. Montezumia, sect. Meta- 
zumia, p. 114: abdomen resembles Discmlius, but the labial palpi are 
3-jointed, and the maxillary palpi 6-jointed ; to include M. huasteca, 
Sauss., and leprieuri, Spin. Montezumia, sect. Pseudozumia, p. 128 : first 
segment of abdomen in the form of a lengthened triangle, flattened and 
longitudinally striate ; type, M. indica, Sauss. 
On new Vespidce in the Dresden Museum ; T. Kirsch, MT. Mus. Dresd. 
Heft iii. pp. 375-381. Varieties of Odynerus (Lionotus) romandinus, 
Sauss., and Vespa deusta, Lep., are also noticed (pp. 379 & 381). 
The antennae of wasps are scent-organs ; J. W. Slater, Ent. xi. p. 233. 
Coleopterous parasites; Rouget, Bull. Soc. Toulouse, xi. pp. 112-114. 
Polistes gallica and var. diadema. Their nests noticed ; both forms 
occur near Bonn: P. Bertkau, Verb. Ver. Rheinl. xxxiii. SB. p. 106. 
* The remark in Zool. Rec. xiv. Ins. p. 98, as to the Sm. misc. Coll, only reaching 
this country as entire volumes, is amply justified by the fact of no less than three 
volumes, xiii., xiv., & xv., being delivered by the Smithsonian agent in London 
together, in July, 1879. All three bear date 1878 on their title pages ; Saussure’s 
paper, the first of vol. xiv., is dated Dec., 1875, on its separate title, and 1863 in 
the dedication. — Ed. 
