OCR Text |
Show 690 REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON N E W [Nov. 18, Genus LITHYPHANTES, Thor. LlTHYPHANTES LEPIDUS, sp. n. (Plate LIII. fig. 9.) Length of the adult male rather less than 1| line. The cephalothorax is of a broadish-oval form, moderately convex above, and the profile line ascends gradually from the hinder extremity in a very nearly even straight line to tbe ocular area ; the fore part of this area, containing the fore-central pair of eyes, is very prominent, causing a deep indentation in the profile of the clypeus, whose height, otherwise, exceeds half that of the facial space. The lateral marginal constrictions are slight, as are also the normal indentations. The colour of the cephalothorax is deep blackish brown. The eyes are of moderate size ; those of the hind-central pair are nearer together than each is to the hind-lateral eye on its side, being separated by less than a diameter's interval; those of the fore-central pair are smallest of the eight, and are seated in front of a largish somewhat roundish protuberance ; they are wider apart than the hind-centrals, though forming a line scarcely as long. The fore-and hind-central eyes form a trapezoid whose length is greater than its breadth; those of each lateral pair are placed slightly obliquely on a strong tubercle. The legs are not very long, moderately strong (1, 4, 2, 3). They are of a dull yellowish-brown colour tinged with olive. The femora are much darker than the other joints, being of a dark blackish-brown hue ; the fore extremities also of the tibiee and metatarsi are tinged with the same colour. The armature consists of hairs only. The palpi are short, and of a dark brownish colour ; the radial is stronger than the cubital joint, and enlarges to its extremity, where it joins in closely with the digital joint : the digital joint is of tolerable size and of an oval form ; the palpal organs are rather complex, though compact; and, though showing several prominent points and processes, there is not one of any remarkable character. 'The falces are long, strong, prominent at their base in front, and project a little forwards. The fang is long, strong, somewhat sinuous ; and instead of lying (when at rest) along the inner edge of the falces, appears to stretch and remain across it at right angles towards the extremity of the opposite falx. Their colour is paler than that of the cephalothorax. The maxillee are strong, slightly curved, inclined to the labium, their colour being like that of the falces. The labium is short, semicircular, and with the sternum (which is oval, somewhat truncated before) similar in colour to the cephalothorax. The abdomen is oviform, not very convex above, and projects but slightly over the base of the cephalothorax. The upper part and sides are black, with three longitudinal white bands broken into more or less distinct separate patches ; the central band is the strongest, the others forming a margin on each side of the upper part of the abdomen : all these bands unite at the fore extremity. The underpart is of a browner tinge, and has an indistinct marginal |