126 ARANEIDEA. 
the posterior row straight, the anterior curved. The intervals between those of the posterior row are 
very small, but that between the central pair is rather greater than that between each and the hind- 
lateral eye next to it, this last interval is also equal to that between the eyes of each lateral pair. The 
interval between those of the fore-central pair is nearly about equal to that between the hind-centrals, 
and each is contiguous to the fore-lateral eye on its side. 
The palpi have the cubital joint short but bent, the radial joint very short. The digital joints are very large, 
oval, and their convex sides are directed towards each other. The palpal organs are highly developed and 
rather complex; they are encircled by a long black tapering spine, which issues from their underside and, 
coiling round the basal margin and outer side, has its sinuous filiform point in contact with some other 
corneous processes at their extremity. 
Falces vertical, weak, a little divergent at their extremity. 
Sternum yellowish, suffused with brown. 
Abdomen yellow-brown, and (when seen in spirits of wine) closely mottled with yellowish points. Above the 
spinners is an indistinct pale spot. 
Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith). 
This spider is allied to the genus Umfila, Keys., but is certainly, I think, distinct. 
MESOPNEUSTES, gen. nov. (Theridiide). 
Cephalothoraw longer than broad, oval, obtuse at its narrow end in front, but without lateral marginal 
impressions at the caput. Height of clypeus greater than half that of the facial space, in fact nearly 
about equal to the width of the falces in front, moderately convex above. 
Eyes rather large, subequal; occupying the whole width of the caput. The fore-central pair the largest, a 
diameter apart, forming a longer line than the hind-centrals, and seated obliquely on the outer sides of a 
large transverse oval prominence; when looked at from above and slightly behind they are almost in 
contact with the fore-laterals, forming with them a large semicircle. Each lateral pair is on a tubercle 
and placed in a line almost parallel to the thoracic margin. The hind-centrals are slightly less than an 
eye’s diameter apart, and a little more than an eye’s diameter from the hind-lateral eye on its side, and 
(looked at from above) form with them a curved line whose convex side is directed forwards. 
Legs moderately strong and long, 1, 2, 4, 3, furnished with long, strong, coarse bristly hairs ; a stronger erect 
bristle on the genus, and one or more similar bristles on the tibie. 
Palpz short. 
Mawxille short, strong, straight, inclined towards the labium, and somewhat obliquely and roundly truncated | 
on the outer side at their extremity. 
Labium short, slightly pointed at the apex. 
Sternum broad, heart-shaped, not very convex. 
Abdomen subtriangular (broad and rounded in front, pointed behind), with one posterior and two anterior 
prominences on the upperside. The openings to the usual spiracular organs are in a very abnormal 
position, being near together in a transverse line about the middle of the underside of the abdomen, and 
furnish one of the strongest characters of the genus. Spinners short, two-jointed, nearly equal in length. 
Mesopneustes nigrovittata, sp. n. 
Adult male, length 5}; inch. 
The whole of the fore part is yellow. The cephalothoraa with a broad, distinctly marked, black, central longi- 
tudinal band just including the ocular area, but a little widest on the hinder slope. 
The palpi are short. The cubital joint somewhat nodiform, the radial considerably produced on the outer 
side, and nearly half the length of the digital joint, to which the apophysis adheres closely. The digital 
joint is of an elongated-oblong form, truncate at the fore extremity, and its convex sides are directed 
towards each other. he palpal organs are simple, with a small, tapering, twisted, prominent spine at their 
extremity. 
The abdomen is moderate in size and convexity, of a triangular form, rounded in front, with a small rounded 
prominence at each shoulder, and another at the hinder extremity a little way above the spinners ; its 
