1 92 Transactions. — Zoology . 



Abdomen somewhat diamond-shaped, yellowish, mottled with 

 orange-red, buff patch at posterior end ; series of olivaceous 

 spots form median band ; streaks and marks on lateral margins 

 and ventral surface. 



Mature examples, especially females, may generally be taken 

 throughout the winter months. Until winter rains set in, these 

 little spiders are often numerous about pastures and amongst 

 low native vegetation in damp spots. They spin a fine 

 horizontal web, with a small triangular mesh ; one portion is 

 drawn up to a stem or blade, beneath which the spider rests. 



Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U. 



Theridium calyciferum, sp. n. PI. VII., fig. 4. 



Length of an adult female, 4 mm. 



Cephalothorax broad-oval, lateral marginal constrictions at 

 caput moderate; rugulose, brownish -yellow; caput, median band 

 and marginal zone brown ; fovea large, somewhat oval ; radial 

 and caput striae well-defined ; contour of profile rises from 

 thoracic junction at an angle of 45°, notched at median indenta- 

 tion, caput slightly arched ; clypeus convex, in height rather less 

 than half facial space. 



Eyes about equal in size, seated on black spots ; four centrals 

 nearly form square, anterior pair furthest apart, dark ; hmd-pair 

 are one eye's breadth from each other, and rather more than 

 that space from fore-centrals ; laterals nearly contiguous, placed 

 obliquely on tubercles ; more than their diameter from hind- 

 centrals. 



Legslong, slender, relative length, 1, 4, 2, 3 = 10, 7, 6, 5 mm.; 

 yellowish, dark annuli at articulation of joints, except tarsal; 

 femora spotted ; armature hairs and numerous strong bristles, 

 tarsi of hind pair furnished with, on under side, strong curved 

 hairs ; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately curved, tip 

 bent, 7 teeth increasing in length and strength, 3 apical teeth, 

 strong, in form resemble free end of claw, directed outwards ; 

 inferior claw smaller than superior, bent downwards, 1 tooth, 

 point behind. 



Palpi colour and armature of legs, palpal claw resembles 

 tarsal claw, 6 teeth. 



Falces convex, brownish-yellow, projeot a little forwards, 

 one socket tooth. 



Maxilla; somewhat spathulate, yellowish, inclined towards 

 labium, which is broad, everted, nearly half length of maxilla?, 

 greenish tinge. 



Sternum heart-shaped, yellowish, margined and spotted with 

 chocolate. 



Abdomen elongate-oval, dorsal surface covered by a brown 

 ovoid, leaf-like mark, median band strongly dentated, tapering 



