OCR Text |
Show 290 REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW ARANEIDEA. [Mar. 4, exclusive of the spines, rather over 4\ lines ; longitudinal diameter 2-| lines. This Spider is of a more decidedly subtriangular form than G. simoni-the anterior side, where the apex of the triangle is truncated, being of the same width only as the cephalothorax. The intermediate spines issue from the corners of the hinder part of the abdomen, at each posterior angle of the triangle ; they are strong, but not very long, and are very slightly directed backwards ; the anterior spines are very small, close in front of the intermediate ones, but not contiguous, and have very nearly the same direction. The posterior spines are quite rudimentary, being represented by two minute, but quite distinct, conical tubercles. The abdomen is yellow, with some dusky blackish patches along the outer margins, in front of, and including the anterior spines, as well as the sigilla on those parts. The sigilla are of a deep red-brown colour; the anterior ones are normal in number, 10 ; the posterior ones 8 only. The underside is dusky blackish, studded with very minute red-brown tubercles, and marked with a few yellow blotches. The sternum is orange-yellow, bordered with red-brown. The cephalothorax is pale reddish yellow-brown, the upper part of the caput being deep red-brown, the whole clothed with fine grey adpressed hairs. The legs are dark brown. The similarity between the form of this Spider and that of some species of the genus Acrosoma is remarkably close ; but the form of the cephalothorax, as well as the number and position of the spines on the abdomen, shows its true generic affinity. Nine examples were received, some time ago, through Mr. VI. Cutter, from Madagascar. GASTERACANTHA WEALII, sp. n. (Plate XXVII. fig. 20.) Length of the transverse diameter of an immature female (including the spines) 2 lines ; longitudinal diameter (exclusive of spines) 14; line. The whole of this Spider is of a dull greenish olive yellow-brown hue, with a small yellowish spot on the middle of the fore margin of the abdomen ; the cephalothorax and legs are paler than the abdomen, the legs showing faint traces of darker annulations. The caput is not elevated into a distinct conical prominence on the upper-side, though there is a tolerably well-marked longitudinal cleft or furrow along its centre, leaving a slight eminence on either side of the central line. The spines are short, scarcely differing in length, and mammose, i. e. are formed by a uniform and gradual enlargement of tbe abdomen at the points where they spring, ending in a sharp point, but are not of the distinctly inverted nail-form like those of a New-Ireland species (6?. pentagona, L. Koch) and some others. The sigilla are small, tinged with red-brown, but indistinct; they are 8 in front, 2 at each end, 7 behind, and 4 in the centre. The only example I have seen was contained among some Spiders sent to me, from Caffraria, by Mr. J. Mansel Weale, and is apparently of a very distinct and undescribed species. |