| OCR Text |
Show 1882.] REV. o. p. C A M B R I D G E O N N E W A R A N E I D E A . 427 fore part of the abdomen, which is of a cylindric form, drawn out into a kind of sheath, into which the distinct pedicle uniting the cephalothorax and abdomen is inserted; the cuticle of this sheath runs back a long way beneath the abdomen, and includes the spi-racular plates, the openings into the spiracles being thus unusually approximated to the hinder part of the abdomen. The cephalothorax is small, oval, and without lateral marginal constriction at the caput. Legs moderately long and very slender, furnished with hairs aud a very few fine spines, 1,4, 2, 3. Eyes very small, rather closely grouped, and placed as in Neriene. Clypeus prominent. Falces rather small, straight and vertical. Maxilla? strongly inclined to the labium, over which they almost meet at their extremities. Labium very short, and somewhat rounded at the apex. COLEOSOMA BLANDUM, sp. n. (Plate XXIX. fig. 3.) Adult male, length 1 line. The cephalothorax, falces, maxillae, labium, and sternum are of a yellow-brown colour, more or less suffused with dusky brown. The profile of the thorax and caput forms a slight curve to the eyes ; the height of the clypeus (which is prominent) exceeds half that of the facial space. The legs are pale yellow, a small portion at the posterior extremity of the tibiae, and at the anterior extremity of the metatarsi, of those of the fourth pair being of a brownish hue. The palpi are of moderate length, and of a dark suffused yellowish-brown colour. The cubital joint is strong, somewhat curved, and obtuse at its fore extremity, near which issues a single sinuous strongish bristle ; the radial joint, which is shorter, is articulated to the cubital somewhat sideways, being directed outwards from it, much like that of some species of Theridion, and of a broad spreading form at its extremity. The digital joint is large, oval, and with a strong lobe on its inner side; the palpal organs are prominent and complex, with a large, strong, circularly curved tapering spine at their outer side. The abdomen is of a cylindric form, strongly constricted across the upperside near the middle; the peculiar sheath-like form of its anterior extremity has been noticed above; this part is yellow-brown ; the rest is nearly black, with a very large, pale, dull yellowish marking on the sides, extending to the underpart. The posterior extremity projects over the spinners, and is obtusely rounded and prominent. A single example of this very peculiar and delicate little Spider was sent to me, among others, some years ago from Ceylon by Mr. G. H. K. Thwaites. It combines characters of Neriene, Liny-phia, Theridion, and Sphecozone. |
