330 SOME NEW AUANEID.E OF N.S.W., 



am indeljted to Mr. Henry Deane, M.A., for the privilege of 

 describing this species. 



Of the eight species descriljed in the jjresent paper, five of them 

 (Epe'ira ficta, E. simllaris, E. tvayneri, Dulomeiles neptunus. and 

 D. spinipes) are especially interesting from the fact that they, in 

 common with hosts of other animals, are protected from the raids 

 of predatory foes either by colouration or mimicry. Rambling 

 along our sea-beaches certain small spiders are occasionally found 

 lurking amidst the masses of small and broken shells denoting 

 high water mark, and corresjDonding so accurately in colour 

 to the sea-wrack referred to, that it is utterly impossible to 

 detect them unless they are in motion; and not only is this so, 

 but their habit of feigning death, upon the approach of what 

 they suspect to be danger, adds greatly to the deception. Of 

 these, Dolomedes neptunus and D. spinipes are instances in point. 



One day last summer, while helping my boys to gather 

 some shells at Taylor Bay, Port Jackson, I discovered one of 

 the spiders referred to (D. nejitunns). In endeavouring to 

 catch it, it eluded me in the manner described, and so success- 

 fully that it was only by probing the shells and pebbles until my 

 forceps touched " something soft " that I succeeded in making my 

 capture. Throughout the entire range of natural history there is 

 no chapter more replete with interest than the marvellous provision 

 of Nature in clothing her .subjects, not otherwise protected, with 

 colours identical with their surroundings, thus enabling them 

 not only to baffle the vigilance of their foes, but also by natural 

 disguises to aid them in successfully stalking their prey. 

 Numerous and extraordinary are the disguises assumed, and 

 although many have been recorded and described, much work 

 yet remains to be done. This will require the exercise of much 

 patient observation and labour, and will be of immense value to 

 science. 



Many spiders that are exceedingly conspicuous while resting 

 in their weljs are practically hidden from view when sheltering 

 among leaves and twigs, the hues of which harmonise exactly 



