568 OPILIONES. 
METERGINUS, gen. nov. 
Type M. basalis, sp.n. Guatemala. 
So far as the species described below are concerned, there is no great difference 
between them and those referred to Erginus, except that the number of segments in 
tarsus i. is seven. The type-species and M. tibialis are, however, very different in 
general appearance, the legs being much longer, a character which is shared also by 
the female of the type. Otherwise the body, palpi, mandibles, and eye-tumulus are 
very similar. There is in both these forms a pair of small tubercles on the first 
segment of the dorsal scutum, as well as spines on the third. 
The species in the collection referred to this genus may be recognized thus :— 
Males. 
A. Femur iv. at least twice as long as, and femur ii. one-half longer than, the 
body. 
a. Femur iv. with a short double series of dentiform tubercles at the base on 
the inner side. Tarsus iv. with 10 segments. Tibiaiv. plam . . . . basalis, sp. n. 
b. Femur iv. without a double series of dentiform tubercles at the base ; but 
with a series of more conspicuous tubercles in the apical third beneath. 
Tarsus iv. with 1] segments. Tibia iv. with aseries of dentiform tubercles 
beneath. 2. 1 1 ew ee ee . oe ew ew ww ee.) btbtahs, sp. n. 
B. Femur iv. and femur ii. not, or scarcely, longer than the body. 
a’. Trochanter iv. not developed into a caliper-shaped process. Coxa iv. 
normal. The first two opisthosomatic ventral segments not longer than 
the width between the spiracles. Tarsus iv. with 10 segments. 
a*, Tarsus iii. with 8 segments. Femur iv. with a dorsal basal series of long 
denticles, in addition to the inferior apical double series. Mandibles 
not developed . . . © 7 ee ee ee ee ew ee ee aorsalis, sp. n. 
b?. Tarsus iii. with 9 segments. Femur iv. with a dorsal basal series of 
small tubercles only, but with also the inferior apical double series. 
Mandibles very much enlarged . . . . . oe ee ew ee) 6Gptcalis, sp. 2. 
b'. Trochanter iv. developed into a caliper-shaped holder. Coxa iv. enormously 
developed. The first two opisthosomatic segments longer than the width 
between the spiracles. Tarsus iv. with 9 segments. . . . . . . . forcipatus, sp. n. 
Females. 
A. Tarsus iv. with 10 segments. Size smaller, length 5 millim. . . . . . basalis. 
B. Tarsus iv. with 9 segments. Size larger, length 75 millim. . . . . . forcipatus. 
1. Meterginus basalis, sp.n. (Tab. LIII. figg. 12, 124, ¢.) 
Type ¢, gynetype 9, in coll. Godman & Salvin. Total length, g & 9,65 millim. (excl. mand.); femur iv. 
13 millim., ¢ & 9. 
g. General characters similar to those of Erginus pectinigerus, except that the legs are much longer in 
proportion ; tarsus i. with 7 segments, of which the basal four are slightly enlarged. The eye-tumulus 
