| OCR Text |
Show 1876.] REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON EGYPTIAN SPIDERS. 5-15 the Temple of Philse, in Upper Egypt, where they were concealed under small sheets of web spun in the angles and superficial inequalities of the columns and walls. (ECOBITJS TEMPLI, sp. n. (Plate LVIII. fig. 2.) Adult male, length 1| line. This plainly coloured Spider is nearly allied to CEcobius domesticus, Lucas, from which it may be distinguished by the much smaller size of the digital joint of the palpus and palpal organs and the different structure of the latter; the eyes also are larger in proportion and more closely grouped together. The general form and appearance of this species is similar to that of all the other known species. The cephalothorax is pale yellow, thinly clothed with hairs, a fine irregular blackish line runs back from each of the two hindermost eyes; and the two lines converge into a single one at the thoracic junction ; the impression by which this junction is marked is large and roundish. The eyes are in the ordinary position, and may be either described as in two lateral, longitudinal, curved rcws of three each, between which, towards the fore side of the area thus enclosed, are two others (central ones) in a transverse line; or else they may be described as in the usual position of two transverse curved rows of four each ; perhaps it will be most convenient to speak of them, in regard to their relative size and situation, as in the former position : the two central eyes are largest of the eight and are separated from each other by less than a diameter's interval, each being near but not contiguous to the foremost eye of the lateral row, on its side; the posterior eye of each lateral row is flattened, obliquely placed, and of an elongated curviangular form (the base of the triangle being in front), and each is contiguous to the next eye of the same row; the interval between the angles of the two posterior eyes nearest to each other is about equal to the base of each of these eyes. The legs are rather long and slender, of a tapering form and pale yellow colour, but not greatly differing in length, their relative length appearing to be 4, 3, 2, 1, ? and they are sparingly furnished with hairs of varied length, but no spines properly so called. The palpi are not very long, but strong, and similar in colour to the legs, the palpal organs giving a yellow brown hue to the digital joint; the radial as well as cubital joints are short, and devoid of projections or apophyses ; the digital joint is large, though less than that of CE. domesticus, Luc. ; the palpal organs are prominent and have some strong processes directed backwards and inwards : these processes although of a different form and less developed than those of other species, require a good magnified drawing to show their differences; no description could do this. The falces are rather short, slender, and vertical; their colour is similar to that of the cephalothorax. The maxilla, labium, and sternum are of normal form and character ; and their colour is similar to that of the legs. The abdomen is oval and (looked at in profile) higher at its ante- |
