270 * PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF '[March, 



median band is not enclosed by a broader yellow one, and behind it is 

 either a silvery (or yellowish) band with scalloped margins extending 

 back to the spinnerets, or else a series of contiguous spots of one of 

 these colors, each containing a pair of minute black dots. The median 

 light area of the dorsum is bordered on each side by a broader black 

 band, mottled with yellowish. The sides are gray or yellowish, 

 streaked with black. Venter grayish-yellow, spinnerets clear yellow, 

 epigynum reddish. Chelicera, maxillce and lahium yellowish. Legs 

 yellow, distinctly ringed with black or brown on all joints except the 

 tarsi. Palpi yellow, sometimes with black markings on the femora. 



Comparisons. — This species approaches most nearly to pallida and 

 minima, but differs from both in genitalia and coloration. The sexes 

 are very dissimilarly colored, and sometimes show great differences 

 in size. 



Habits. — A common species, found always near water, the males 

 abundant. 



Fardosa mercurialis n. sp. PI. XIX, figs. 20, 21. 



(Numerous specimens from Austin, Texas.) 



Eyes. — First row nearer the second than to the clypeal margin, 

 straight, slightly shorter than the second, middle eyes largest, eyes 

 equidistant. Eyes of second row largest, nearly twice their diameter 

 apart. Third row widest, its eyes almost twice their diameter behind 

 the second row. Dorsal eye area almost one-fourth the length of 

 the cephalothorax. Quadrilateral of the posterior eyes slightly 

 broader than long. 



Form. — Cephalothorax in front not quite one-half its greatest trans- 

 verse diameter, highest in the cephalic region, sides of head steep. 

 Chelicera weak, longer than the width of the clypeus, with three pairs 

 of teeth. Sternum longer than broad. Labium considerably less than 

 one-half the length of the maxillse, slightly longer than broad, rounded 

 apically. Posterior spinnerets longest. Legs very long and slender, 

 metatarsus IV longer than tibia and patella, combined ; length of leg IV 

 to the cephalothorax, 6^ 4.8 : 1, 9 5.8 : 1. Tibia I with four ventral 

 pairs of spines. $ palpal claw with three teeth. 



Color of Females (in alcohol). — Cephalothorax above l^lack in the eye 

 area, followed by a broad reddish-yellow median band, which is con- 

 stricted before the middle, enlarged to fully the diameter of the e^-e 

 area around the dorsal groove (its wndest portion), and narrowed to 

 one-half that width behind the dorsal groove. There is a broad in- 

 terrupted submarginal line of the same color, the region between these 



