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Show 42 REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW ARANEIDEA. [Feb. 5, are two large, somewhat suffused, pale yellowish patches ; the underside is also paler than the upper; spinners short, superior pair 3-jointed, yellow, tinged with brown, inferior pair small, 1-jointed, and yellow. Examples of this spider, with two of its curious trapdoor nests f jund in the bark of the " Kaffir Boom " tree, were kindly sent to me lately by the Rev. Nendick Abraham. It is nearly allied to, but quite distinct from, Moggridgea dyeri, Cambr. (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1875, p. 317, pi. x.). Among other differences, it is a larger paler-coloured spider, the two rows of eyes are much closer together, and the hind lateral eyes are smaller in proportion to the hind central. The denticulations on the maxillse and labium are much less strong, and are not found (as in M. dyeri) beneath the bases of the coxal joints of the first three pairs of legs. The nest resembles in general that of M. dyeri; it is, however, even better concealed than those of that species, there being no abnormal prominence, and often not the slightest tubular convexity of any kind apparent. In fact I had to search very minutely for ten minutes, and test every part of the pieces of bark sent to me with the point of a needle, to find out the lids of the nests. One of the nests is furnished with a lid at each end ; and from a communication made by Mr. Abraham to Mr. F. Taylor, of Liverpool, I gather that this is also occasionally the case with the nests of Mvggridgea dyeri. I Came to the conclusion, from Mr. Abraham's letter to me, that this latter spider was peculiar to the " Kaffir Boom," and the present species to the Oak ; but his notes on the two, sent to Mr. Taylor, lead me to suppose that each is found on both trees. The skill and perfection with which the minute lichens are placed upon the tube and its lid, causing them to resemble most exactly the rest of the bark, is indeed wonderful. Of the nests I have yet seen that of M. dyeri is less well concealed than those of M. abrahami. Examples both of the spiders and nests of M. dyeri were also sent to me by Mr. Abraham, whose name I have much pleasure in connecting with the new species. It is not easy to conjecture the purpose of the lower door. Mr. Abraham suggests that the lower door is made when the spider is young and gaining its experience, as a mode of escape from enemies which might gain access to the upper door. He has found that the lower door "is rot generally (if ever) so perfect as the upper door." In the specimens before me, however, I can detect no difference between the two as regards perfection. Family ERESID^E. Genus STEGODYPHUS, Sim. (Eresus, auctt. in parte.) S T E G O D V P H U S G R E G A R I U S , sp. n. (Plate II. figs. 4, 5.) Adult female. Length 2|-4 lines ; length of cephalothorax in a |