180 F. P. SMITH ON SOME BRITISH SPIDERS TAKEN IN 1907. 



This fine crab-spider appears to be rare in many parts of the 

 country, especially in the northern areas. In the Hastings 

 district, however, it is quite abundant, and there, in the early part 

 of June, I collected adult specimens of both sexes in half a dozen 

 different localities. I might here mention, perhaps, an interesting 

 incident concerning this species. My wife and myself were 

 ascending the steps leading to East Cliff, at Hastings, when 

 we noticed a blow -fly hovering in a most peculiar manner several 

 feet from the ground. We promptly captured the fly in order 

 to investigate the matter, and found attached to its abdomen 

 an adult male of Xysticus kochii. The spiders' fangs were driven 

 deeply into the body of the fly, which appeared to be suffering 

 from the effects of the poison ; in fact, it died shortly afterwards. 

 This is the first instance which has come before my notice of 

 a spider actually being carried a considerable distance by its 

 intended prey, although I have several times seen spiders jerked 

 off their feet by a powerful victim. The males of the Thomisidae, 

 however, would seem to be of all spiders the most suitably formed 

 for such an exploit, for their long, horizontally extended legs and 

 flat bodies would enable them to firmly clasp their victims Avithout 

 impeding the movements of the wings. 



Family SALTICIDAE. 

 Attus caricis, Westr., 1861. 



1861. Attus caricis, Westr., Ar. Suec. 



1869. „ riparius, Sim., Monog. Attid. 



1872. ,, atellanus, Sim., Revis. Attid. 



1881. „ caricis, Camb., Spid. Dorset. 



A single male specimen of this rare Salticid was kindly forwarded 

 to me with other spiders by our member Mr. W. Pinkerton, who 

 found it amongst moss at Watford, in Hertfordshire. 



■ 



Phlegra fasciata (Hahn.), 1831. 



1831. Attus fasciatus, Hahn., Monog. Aran. 



1848. Euoplirys aprica, C. L. Koch., Die Arach. 



1851. Attus niger, Westr., Ar. Suec. 



1881. Phlegra fasciata, Camb., Spid. Dorset. 



