_Gen. Char._: BODY glabrous. HEAD transverse, vertex convex; _ocelli_ placed in a triangle on its summit; _antennæ_ short, linear, the joints of the flagellum subequal; _face_ flat, carinated longitudinally in its centre between the insertion of the antennæ; _clypeus_ transverse, lunulate, convex, margined anteriorly; _labrum_ transversely ovate, with a small process in the centre in front; _mandibles_ bidentate, the internal tooth minute, the external robust and broad; _tongue_ rather long, more than twice the length of the labium, tapering to its extremity; _paraglossæ_ short, about one-fourth the length of the tongue, broad at the base, and acuminate towards the apex; _labial palpi_ more than half the length of the tongue, the basal joint longer than the three following, membranous, and gradually decreasing to the second, which is one-third the length of the first, and acute at its apex, where the third subclavate joint is articulated, the terminal joint considerably shorter than the third; _labium_ not more than one-third the length of the tongue, and trifid at its inosculation, the central division being hastate; _maxillæ_ subhastate, more than one-half the length of the tongue; _maxillary palpi_ consisting of one robust short conical joint inserted in a deep circular receptacle. THORAX subglobose; _prothorax_ conspicuous, with its lateral angles slightly prominent; _mesothorax_ with its bosses prominent; _wing_-scales large; _scutellum_ transverse, gibbous, margined posteriorly, slightly mucronated laterally, slightly depressed in the centre, and impending over the _post-scutellum_, which is inapparent; _metathorax_ abruptly truncated; _wings_ with three submarginal cells, and a fourth feebly commenced, the first as long as the two following, the second subtriangular, and receiving the first recurrent nervure about its centre, and the third lunulate, and receiving the second recurrent nervure also about the centre; _legs_ short, stout, the _tibiæ_ slightly spinulose externally; _claws_ very small, short, robust and simple. ABDOMEN obtusely conical, truncated at the base, its terminal segment triangular, and the lateral margins slightly reflected. The MALE scarcely differs, excepting in the usual male characteristics, and that the apical segment of the abdomen is rounded and margined. NATIVE SPECIES. 1. _variegatus_, Linnæus, ♂ ♀. 3-4 lines. (Plate XI. fig. 2 ♂ ♀.) _variegatus_, Kirby. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.