194 Transaction*. — Zoology, 



Mate rather shorter than female, cephalotkorax and abdomen 

 more elongated, does not differ essentially in coloration or mark- 

 ings. Legs resemble female in colour and armature, but differ 

 in their relative and actual length, 1, 4-2, 3, = 13, 7^, 5 mm. 

 Palpi rather long, slender, clear yellow-brown, sparsely furnished 

 with coarse black hairs ; humeral joint long, cubital and radial 

 short, do not differ much in size, slender, cup-shaped ; projecting 

 from superior surface of former, are two strong, long bristles ; 

 digital joint oval, rugulose, mahogany colour ; convex and 

 hairy externally, convexities directed towards each other ; con- 

 cave beneath ; palpal organs moderately complex ; viewed from 

 beneath, concavity at base is covered, for about one-fourth of 

 length of joint, by a wide membranous band, little beyond 

 transverse band, projecting forwards from margins of concavity 

 are two short and stout apophyses ; between these is a shield- 

 shaped eminence, produced at its fore extremity into short, dark, 

 horn-like processes. 



Species common, frequents manuka ; examples, male and 

 female, differ greatly both in shades of coloration and distinct- 

 ness of specific pattern ; in yellowish or brownish-creamy speci- 

 mens the cross-like figure is more or less obliterated, and devoid 

 of lake markings. Pairs about November. 



Auckland, A.T.U. 



Theridium triloris, sp. n. PL VIII., fig. 1. 



Length of an adult female 5 mm., and of an adult male 4 mm. 



Cephalothoraw oval, bright mahogany-brown; lateral mar- 

 ginal constrictions at caput moderate ; median indentation, 

 which is somewhat circular, and radial stria? well marked ; 

 profile rises with a slight arch to occiput, forepart of which is 

 prominent ; clypeus moderately prominent, in height equals half 

 facial space. 



Eyes form two transverse curved rows, convexity of curves 

 directed forwards, hind-curve slight ; eyes placed on dark spots ; 

 four intermediate form a quadrilateral figure, longer than broad; 

 anterior centrals darkest and rather smallest of eight; interval 

 between hind pair equals their diameter ; laterals, which are 

 seated obliquely on dark tubercles, one quarter of their breadth 

 apart, are rather further from hind-centrals than the latter 

 are from each other. 



Legs rather short, relative length 1, 4, 2, 3; yellow-brown, 

 dark greenish annuli at articulations ; armature erect hairs, few 

 bristles ; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately strong, curved, 

 9 comb-teeth increasing in length and strength ; inferior claw 

 rather stout, bent, 2 close teeth, basal small. 



Palpi resemble legs in colour and armature ; palpal claw 

 strong, curved, 7 comb-teeth directed forwards, forming an 

 even line with point of claw. 



