OCR Text |
Show 1899.] NEW EXOTIC ARANEIDEA. 531 very prominent, almost on a level with the ocular area ; its sides are parallel, its fore-side truncate, and its height very nearly equal to half that of the facial space. Colour deep bistre-brown, with a narrow cream-white margin and marked with longitudinal cream-white longitudinal lines ; the two most distinct of these form lateral margins to the clypeus and ocular area, and are continued along the outer sides of the falces ; two others, less distinct and curved, run backwards and enclose an oblong-oval space immediately behind the ocular area; two others also are near together on each side, parallel to each other and to the margins of the thorax, which last has also, in some examples, some very slender cream-white converging lines on each side of it. Eyes in two almost or quite concentric, slightly curved transverse lines, the convexity of the curve directed forwards. The fore-laterals are considerably the largest, the fore-centrals smallest. The fore and aft width of the area formed by the eyes is rather less than half its transverse width. The central quadrangle is slightly less in length than in width (behind), but the anterior side is scarcely more than half the length of the posterior. The fore-central pairs are nearer together than to the fore-laterals, and those of the posterior row are equally separated or nearly so. Tbe lateral eyes are all seated on strong prominences, especially the hind-laterals. Legs long, slender, 2-1-4-3; those of the first and second pairs much the longest and not very different in length, nor is there much difference between the 3rd and 4th pairs. The colour of the first and second pairs is light yellow-brown, the fore-sides of the femora dark-brown ; the third and fourth pairs pale yellow ; spines few and inconspicuous ; no scopula. Claw-tuft represented by a small group of bristles ; terminal claws of the first two pairs moderately curved and strongly pectinated throughout, these of the third and fourth pairs less strongly pectinate. Falces strong, prominent; profile following the line of the ocular area and clypeus, and strongly arched. Colour like that of the cephalothorax, and furnished with strong spine-like bristles in front. Palpi short, strong; radial joint stronger than the cubital, with two or three spines in front and on the inner side, and at its fore extremity on the outer side is a strong apophysis, prominent, obtuse at its extremity, which is subdivided or somewhat bifid; digital joint rather large, elongate-oval. Palpal organs simple and encircled with one or two slender blackish filiform spines. Maxillce, labium, and sternum normal, and of a deep brown colour, the latter covered with strong prominent bristles. Abdomen long, cylindrical, nearly 3 times the length of the cephalothorax; sides parallel, the anterior side hollow truncate, fitting up closely to the base of the thorax, and thinly covered with short spine-like bristles ; hinder end tuberculose and drawn out into a pointed or conical, segmentate or articulate caudal form; each tubercle armed with a spine. Colour deep brown, approach- |