109 



THE SPIDERS OF THE ERICONE GROUP. 



By Frank P. Smith. 

 {Read October 21st, 1904.) 



In my last communication * I proposed the division of the 

 sub-family Erigoninae into the Xeriene, Diplocephalus, and 

 WalcJcenaera groups. Mr. F. 0. Pickard- Cambridge has pointed 

 out t that the genus Xeriene originally included three species, of 

 which two have been removed as the types of other genera. 

 The remaining species, X. margiaata, Bl. {= clathrata, Sund.), 

 therefore remains as the type, and as long as this species i& 

 considered to fall within the genus Linypliia, Xeriene will sink 

 as a synonym of that genus. In any case, the species Linyphia 

 clathrata, Sund., from a structural standpoint, could never be 

 included in the sub-family Erigoninae as previously characterised. 

 I therefore propose to substitute the term " Erigone Group " for 

 " Xeriene Group." 



The following list will indicate the extent and constitution of 

 this group as far as British species are concerned. In tho 

 arrangement here adopted I make no pretension to anything 

 like finality, the whole family Linyphiidae being so painfully 

 involved, and the classification so chaotic, that a considerable time 

 must elapse ere the existing confusion shall have disappeared. 



Genus Oedothorax, Bertkau, 1884. 



1833. Xeriene, Bl. {etc! partem). 



1861. Erigone, Westr. (ad partem). 



1864. Xeriene, Bl. (ad partem). 



1868. Tmeticus, Menge (ad partem). 



1869. WalcJcenaera, Thor. (ad partem). 

 1879-81. Xeriene, Cambr. (ad partem). 

 1884. Gongylidium, Sim. (ad partem). 



J 886. Xeriene, Dahl (ad partem). 

 Type : 0. gibbosus (Bl.). 



* Journal of the Queliett Jlicro-iLOjAcal Club, ser. 2, vol. ix., Xo. 54, p. 9. 

 f Annals and Mag. X. H., ser. 7. vol. ix. 



