On Some South African Aviculariidae (Arachnida) . 97 



Metatarsus IV with 11-12 spines ou under surface, the 2 central apical 

 ones being the strongest ; also 2 spines on posterior upper surface. 

 Tibia I with a weak line of setifonn spines below ; tibia II similar but 

 stronger. Tibia III with 2 spines on posterior surface and 2-3 on 

 anterior surface. Tibia IV with several setiform spines ou under surface. 

 Patella III with 20-24 spines on anterior surface, and 2 stouter spines 

 on posterior border of upper surface. Patella IV muticous. 



Measurements. Chelicerue to end of abdomen 11 mm. Length 

 of carapace 3 - 5 mm. ; breadth 2" 7 nun. 



GEN. HOMOSTOLA, E. Sim. 



HOMOSTOLA ZEBRINA, Pure.* 



1902. H. aebrlna, Pnrcell, Tr. S. Afr. Phil. Soc. vol. 11, pt. 4, p. 359. 



1903. Purcell, Ann. S. Afr. Mus. vol. 3, pt. 4, p. 94. 

 1915. Hewitt, Ann. Durban Mus. vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 130. 



This species has been included by Hewitt as a synonym of Spiroc- 

 tt-nus (Ann. Durban Mus. vol. 1, pt. 3, pp. 221 and 223) ; on examining 

 the specimens in the Museum collection, and also two others from 

 localities noted below, it seems fairly clear that Purcell's zebrina is 

 rightly referred to the genus Homostola; and further, that it is not 

 synonomous with Spiroctenus. Apart from the differences in size and 

 position of the posterior sternal sigilla (an important chai-acter), the 

 other characters such as scopulation of anterior metatarsi serve to 

 distinguish it. 



Additional notes on $ . 



Specimens. ? (No. B 1140) from Clairmont, Natal (H. W. Bell 

 Marley, 3/15) ; and ? (No. 150506) from Howick, Natal (Dr. W. F. 

 Purcell, 9/05). 



Carapace. Equal in length to tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus of 

 1st leg (in Purcell's specimens, No. 8445 ex typis, Pietermaritzburg, 

 cai-apace slightly exceeds the above in length) ; also equal in length to 

 patella and tibia, and exceeding metatarsus and tarsus of 4th leg. 



Chelicerae. Dark red-brown, almost black in colour ; rastellum 

 composed of a row of about 6 strong, fairly even teeth on the inner 

 side and stout bristles in continuation to the outer edge. Groove 

 armed with 10-11 teeth down the inner side, and a line of 6 teeth 

 diminishing in size to a few denticles down the outer side ; a few 

 denticles in the groove between, basally. 



Legs. Metatarsus III with a comb of about 4 stout setiform bristles, 

 apically, on both anterior and posterior sides of the under surface. 



* See p. 136. 



