12 
Psyche 
[ March 
nests than might be expected from the well-known food 
habits of larvae of this genus. In the other cases, and 
probably also in the present instance, it is supposed they 
chanced to be attracted to the dried animal matter in un- 
successful cells, from a nearby infestation in other ma- 
terial. Attempts to identify the very numerous and usually 
misdetermined species of this ubiquitous genus have proven 
very unsatisfactory because a number of species infesting 
the personal or household effects of colonists or travelers 
have become established wherever conditions permitted 
survival, and have received an excessive number of names, 
associated with misleading or inadequate ‘descriptions’ to 
which have been added a great number of records under 
wrongly applied specific names.” 
Pachodynerus nasidens (Latr.) [J. Bequaert] 
The nests of this vespid were found in the cells of Sceli- 
phron assimile. It is apparently a true inquiline, using 
only the deserted cells of its host. It makes two or more 
cells out of each one of assimile by constructing thin, hori- 
zontal partitions of mud, and fills the cells with a species 
of lepidopterous larva belonging to the Pyraustinse of the 
Pyralidse [Carl Heinrich]. The egg is suspended by a deli- 
cate thread. There is no true cocoon, but the larva covers 
the walls of its cell with a shining, transparent, yellowish 
layer of silk, occasionally stretching this membrane across 
the corners. 
Polistes incertus Cress. [J. Bequaert] 
The entrance to Cienfuegos Bay is a narrow channel 
about three miles long, which gradually widens toward the 
sea. Near Punta de los Cocos on the western side, the 
shore is bordered by thickets of sea grape (Coccoloba), 
inhabited by the Giant Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi 
Latr.). Farther inland the sea grape is replaced by mixed 
second growth, in which I found a single nest of Polistes 
incertus, on September 3. The nest was hanging from a 
