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Show 414 MR. H. R. HOGG OX AUSTRALASIAN SPIDERS. [Dec. 2, 7. On the Australasian Spiders of the Subfamily Sparassince. By H. R. Hogg, M.A., F.Z.S. [Received November 4, 1902.] (Text-figures 85-104.) The members of this subfamily are abundant in all tropical and subtropical countries. Their large size and hairy appearance enable them to inspire a sentiment of fear out of all proportion to their really timid nature and defenceless character. This has 110 doubt acted as a means of protection to them. Living originally about the trunks and under the loose bark of trees, they have adapted themselves readily to the shelter afforded by the houses of mankind, and find a congenial habitat under the eaves of most dwelling-houses. In fact, wherever an undisturbed dry and darkish receptacle is available they are sure to be discovered, and where allowed to settle prove valuable assistants in keeping down the numbers of the house-flies- the pest of all hot countries. As members of the family Clubionidse, they are furnished with ungual tufts, two well pectinated tarsal claws, scopulae along both tarsi and metatarsi, and have the surface of the maxillae convex, without any median depression. The eyes, always eight in nimiber, are disposed in two more or less parallel transverse rows of four each, without much variation in size or relative position. In Australia the indigenous species have developed a distinctly characteristic type of genital organ. In by far the larger number the stylus in the male palp is produced into a flagellum of remarkable length, sometimes more than twice the length of the cephalothorax; this, for its protection, is curled spirally round a specially grooved drum, and this again has been formed by the rolling up of a riband-like elongation of a projection which, in the Heteropoda of a short columnar form only, has had its use as a feeler. The two parts are quite separate and detachable and can be unrolled. This particular development is unique and, so far as I am aware, entirely confined to the Australian region. The flagellum part of it may be seen more or less developed in other forms such as Pandercetes, Clastes, and many of the Thomisidae, and several earlier stages of the more perfect form can be seen, as will be described below. From their habit of living between the bark and hard surface of trees, nearly the whole subfamily has had the position of the legs so modified as to move horizontally, thus enabling its members to shuffle along without raising the joints. They can thus obtain prey and shelter in narrow interstices where many of |