| OCR Text |
Show 434 REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW ARANEIDEA. [May 1 6, the height of the clypeus (which is rather prominent) is less than half that of the facial space. Legs moderately strong and not very long, 1, 2, 4, 3 ; the tibiae of the first and second pairs bent, furnished with hairs and spines; the latter (in the type) numerous, but confined to the tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi of the first and second pairs. The tarsi terminate with three claws. Falces rather short and not very strong. MaxillcE strongly bent over the labium ; but both these parts of the structure are so concealed by the unusual prominence of the sternum that they could not be made out quite satisfactorily. Sternum subtriangular, with the posterior angle strongly truncated, the truncation having the appearance of the ordinary angle bent and flattened back by constant pressure upon that part of the massive abdomen. The sternum is also very convex, so that (when the Spider is seen in profile) it projects rather below the level of the extremities of the maxillae and falces. Abdomen large, projecting strongly over the cephalothorax; very convex above and (especially when seen from above) looking very like that of a Gasteracantha; the integument is coriaceous and thickly clothed with small sharp-pointed scales, arranged like tiles on a roof; four sharp-pointed tubercular eminences occupy the four corners of the upperside, the posterior pair being the longest and strongest; behind them the surface is marked with strong transverse fold-like indentations, whose position is indicated by each bearing a row of dark points; two other transverse curved rows of dark points (4 and 3) are placed between the two posterior spine-like tubercles above noted. The spinners are short, and contained within a strong, round, sheath-like prominence. TECMESSA PECTOROSA, sp. n. (Plate XXXI. fig. 10.) Adult female, length 1 line, breadth of abdomen 1 line (nearly). The cephalothorax is of a dark reddish yellow-brown hue, the falces, maxillae, and sternum being rather lighter in colour ; the legs also are very similar, though, excepting the femora, of a rather paler browner tinge. The eyes are rather indistinct, all, excepting those of the fore central pair, being of an amber-brown hue. The legs have each side of the tarsi and metatarsi, and the inner side of the tibiae, armed with long strong spines, articulated to small tubercles, divergent and directed forward. The habit of the Spider is, evidently, to sit with its anterior pairs of legs drawn back, bringing the spinous parts in front of and around the fore part of the caput, the spines appearing thus to protect it with an impregnable cage-like defence ; or their purpose may be only to enclose and retain better within the grasp of the falces the Spider's insect prey. The palpi are rather long, and armed in a similar way to the legs. The sternum is one of the most remarkable features in this |
