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Show 1882.] REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW ARANEIDEA. 435 Spider; it is not only very prominent (projecting below the basal joints of the legs), but the legs of the 3rd and 4th pairs are set into it in such a way as (when looked at in profile particularly) to show a portion of it between them and the margins of the thorax. The sternum is covered with scales like the abdomen. The abdomen is of a pale dull (though somewhat golden) yellow hue, the four sharp prominences being rather darker; the posterior part and sides are marked with curved transverse rows of small deep red-brown spots or points. The prominence supporting the spinners is dark yellow-brown ; and the genital aperture is placed in a large deep-red-brown area. The whole abdomen is covered with scales (as above noted) and also with very minute bristle-like hairs, apparently one to each scale. A single example of this remarkable Spider was contained in Mr. Traill's Amazon collection. Family MIAGRAMMOPIDJE. Genus MIAGRAMMOPES, Cambr. MIAGRAMMOPES TRAILLII, sp. n. (Plate XXXI. fig. 11.) Adult female, length 2\ lines. The general form and appearance of this Spider is very similar to that of the typical species from Ceylon (described and figured Journ. Linn. Soc. x. p. 401, pl. xiv.); but its specific characters are very strong, and will serve to distinguish it at a glance from all the few species of the genus yet described. The cephalothorax is short and of a somewhat pentagonal form, much the broadest at the eyes (giving it there an angular appearance), and truncate at its posterior extremity. At the base of the falces it is rounded ; and just behind the eyes there is a very strong and deep transverse indentation. The eyes are moderate, and not very unequal in size; they are in two pairs widely separated, each pair placed in the angle at the widest part of the caput. The eyes of each pair respectively are placed on strong black tubercles, and are near to each other, being separated by less than two diameters' interval, and forming a line nearly at right angles to the plane of the cephalothorax. The legs of the first pair are long and strong, issuing from in front on each side just beneath the angle where the eyes are situated, and by their strength appearing to have thrust both the second pair and the palpi out of their normal places. The fourth pair are next in length and strength, but very much less in both respects than those of the first pair. The third pair are the smallest, being somewhat shorter and weaker than those of the second pair. All armature, excepting calamistra on the metatarsi of the fourth pair and the terminal tarsal claws, had been rubbed off the two examples examined. The tarsal claws are 3 ordinary ones with 2 or 3 others, supernumerary and opposed, like those in the genus Epeira. |
