| OCR Text |
Show 1870.J REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW ARANEIDEA. 729 Theridioidce, in the suborder Retitelariae, which substantially accords with m y own present view of its systematic position. Several others of the genera now characterized it is exceedingly difficult to assign with certainty to any family groups hitherto established: a knowledge of their habits would, of course, be a great assistance in relegating them to their proper groups, though even this is not always to be relied upon as conclusive in determining the family of a Spider (see remarks on nov. gen. Rhion, postea, p. 742). In none of those now described, however, is any thing known, either of habits or habitat, beyond the mere locality in which they were captured; we have therefore nothing but structure to guide us; and the general form resulting from their structure is in several of the present species very far removed from the typical forms of the families to some recognized genera of which they seem in other respects to be related. It is unnecessary to enter into details in this short introductory notice, as remarks on the above point will be found appended to the descriptions of such as appear to be doubtful in their systematic allocations. It is, perhaps, only necessary to add here that, of the Spiders forming the ten new genera now proposed, six were received from Messrs. J. Nietner and G. H. K. Thwaites, of Ceylon, one from Bombay, from Major Julian Hobson (H.M. Staff Corps), one from Natal, and two from Sta. Fe, Minas Geraes (captured there by Mr. Henry Rogers, of Freshwater, Isle of Wight, and his son, now on a collecting expedition in Brazil). Fam. DRASSIDES? Nov. gen. STENOCHILUS (arevos, narrow, •yfiXos, lip, labium). Characters of the Genus.-Cephalothorax elongate-oval, or, rather, somewhat attenuated diamond-shaped, strongly emarginate or indented on the lateral margins. Eyes eight, very unequal in relative size, situated in two transverse rows at the fore extremity of the caput, curved away from each other, but forming a compact and almost circular group. Maxillee constricted at their base, enlarged in a circular form at the middle on their outer sides, and curved over and inclined towards the labium, over which their pointed extremities almost touch each other; they are also indented or impressed somewhat transversely near their middle. Labium long, narrow, sharp-pointed at its apex, and a little wider near the middle than at the base. Legs rather short, and differing but little in relative length, which appears to be 4, 1, 2, 3; each tarsus ends with two longish curved claws, minutely pectinate towards their base, and springing from a sort of heel or minute supernumerary joint. Abdomen narrow, elongate-oval; spinners two only, short, rather strong, and Particulate. STENOCHILUS HOBSONII, n. sp. (Plate XLIV. fig. 1.) Male adult, length 2 | lines, of cephalothorax 1| line. |
