Mid-infrared spectra of Be stars

We present the first medium-resolution (R similar to 600) mid-infrared (8-1 3.3 mu m) spectra of 11 Be stars. A large number of lines are observed and identified in these spectra, including, as an example, 39 hydrogen recombin ation lines in the spectrum of gamma Gas. In the majority of our spectra, a ll of the observed lines are attributable to hydrogen recombination. Two of the sources, beta Lyr and MWC 349, also show emission from other species. Both of these objects show evidence of [Ne II] emission, and beta Lyr also shows evidence of He I emission. We tabulate the effective line strength an d line widths for the observed lines and briefly discuss the physical impli cations of the observed line series. We also use a simple model of free-fre e emission to characterize the disks around these sources.