Mr. J. Blackwall on some species of Araneidea. 301 



line is a broad, irregular, longitudinal band of a dark brown co- 

 lour extending nearly to the spinners, immediately above which 

 organs are several transverse yellowish white streaks; in the 

 middle of the space comprised between the dark brown bands 

 are two dark brown lines forming a very acute angle whose ver- 

 tex is directed backwards, and in its anterior part are five circular 

 yellowish brown depressions; three are disposed in a triangle 

 whose vertex is directed forwards, and the other two are situated 

 parallel to its base ; the sides and under part are dark brown 

 mottled with yellowish brown. Spinners and plates of the spi- 

 racles yellowish brown. 



Captured in June 1846 among grass in a pasture at Oakland. 



The males of several species of Thomisi so nearly resemble each 

 other in size, general form and colour, that a careful inspection 

 of the structure of their palpi and palpal organs is essential to 

 their accurate discrimination. 



Family Linyphiid^e. 



Genus Linyphia, Latr. 



4. Linyphia pulchella. 



Length of the male y^th of an inch ; length of the cephalo- 

 thorax Jq ; breadth fa ; breadth of the abdomen ^ ; length of 

 an anterior leg ^ '> length of a leg of the third pair £. 



Cephalo-thorax oval, slightly compressed before, prominent in 

 front where the eyes are seated, convex, glossy, with an inden- 

 tation in the medial line of the posterior region ; it is of a yel- 

 lowish brown colour. Eyes disposed on black spots in two trans- 

 verse rows ; the four intermediate ones form a trapezoid whose 

 anterior side is the shortest, the posterior pair being the largest, 

 and the anterior pair the smallest of the eight ; the eyes of each 

 lateral pair are almost contiguous. Mandibles powerful, conical, 

 armed with teeth on the inner surface, and inclined towards the 

 sternum, which is broad and heart-shaped : maxillae enlarged 

 where the palpi are inserted ; the exterior angle at their extre- 

 mity is curvilinear, and they are inclined a little towards the lip, 

 which is semicircular and prominent at the apex : these parts are 

 reddish brown, the lip being the darkest. Legs moderately long, 

 provided with hairs and slender spines ; they are of a yellowish 

 brown colour ; first pair the longest, then the second, third pair 

 the shortest. Each tarsus is terminated by three claws ; the two 

 superior ones are curved and pectinated, and the inferior one is 

 inflected near its base. Palpi yellowish brown ; the cubital and 

 radial joints are short, the latter being much the stronger ; the 

 digital joint is oval, with a lobe on the outer side ; it is convex 

 and hairy externally, concave within, comprising the palpal or- 



