OCR Text |
Show 36 REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON N E W ARANEIDEA. [Feb. 5, height of the clypeus being half that of the facial space. The fore central pair of eyes are separated from each other by 2 diameters' interval and from the fore laterals by 11 diameters; the latter are largest of the eight, and (looked at from in front) form a curved row whose convexity is directed upwards ; the hind lateral and hind central eye, on each side, are contiguous to each other in a transverse line, the'four forming the ends of a very nearly straight row, rather longer than anterior row, the hind centrals being the largest. The centre of the ocular area, and reaching to a little way behind it, is furnished with strong bristly hairs directed forward. The legs are short, very strong, 4, 1,3, 2, similar in colour to the cephalothorax, furnished with hairs, and numerous short strong spines near the sides of the tarsi and metatarsi of the first and second pairs ; these spines, however, are very difficult to see, owing to the density of the hairs on those parts; there is, however, no scopula, and the superior tarsal claws are (apparently) devoid of denticulations. The falces are massive and about § of the length of the caput. They are similar in colour to the cephalothorax and densely clothed with short hairs excepting a large patch near the base in front, and near their extremities are numerous short tooth-like spines. The palpi are similar in colour and armature to the anterior legs. The maxillee are strong, subcylindrical, with a strong prominent conical point at the extremity on the inner side ; at the base on the inner side of each maxilla is a short curved row of several dentiform spines similar to some others at the apex of the labium. The labium is small, about equal in length and breadth at the base, which is transversely curved, the convexity of the curve directed backwards ; the base fits into a corresponding hollow in the sternum on a kind of inverted subconical base marked in the sternum by a distinct indentation. It is roundish-pointed at the apex, where there are five short dentiform black spines. The sternum is large, triangular, a little broader at the base or hinder end than long ; the base, however, being rather angulate, and not rectilinear. It is similar in colour to the thorax, the labium being of a deeper hue. The abdomen is short-oval, very convex, of a mouse-colour, clothed with very short hairs. The spinners are short; the superior pair strong, and 3-jointed ; the inferior pair are much smaller and consist of one joint only. A little way in front of the inferior spinners are two small transverse slits or openings, doubtless the orifices of tracheal organs. Two of these spiders, received from Natal along with their trap. door nests, lived for some time in the Gardens of this Society; one is still living there; the other died, and its remains, from which the above description has been made, were sent to me by Mr. Arthur Thomson along with a rough sketch of the upper part of the nest, the lid of which (of the cork type) can just be covered with a penny-piece. |