132 



this character is in many cases nil, for it is sometimes impossible lo distinguish 

 if a species has an indistinct stripe or none; and even if we succed in doing so, 

 we will not be on the safe side, because we have separated nearly related species 

 from each other; Chelifer Birmanicus Thor. f. inst, must be referred to Lampro- 

 chernes Tom., and C h. Jaoamis Thor, to Atemnns Can. in spite of the near relation- 

 ship they show in many respects. Most species of Lamprochernes Tom. and Atemnns 

 Can. seem to go naturally together as far as can be judged from the descriptions 

 (cf. p. 133). Now a few words about Chernes Menge and its maniples: the main 

 character between Lamprochernes {12. p. 513; 40. p. 184) and Tr achy chernes (12. 

 p. 521; 40. p. 184) is found in the shape of the hairs and the granulation; but 

 these features, which are not always well marked, do not count for very much, 

 when other characters are taken into consideration, especially those found in the 

 genital area of the male. According to characters taken from this as well as from 

 other structures we must regard Ch. nodosus Schranck, which is a "Lamprochernes 

 Tom.", as being nearly related to Ch. cimicoifies F., which is a typical "Trachy- 

 chernes Tom.'", but far distant from Ch. Birmanicus Thor., belonging to the same 

 maniple as itself. 



From the above it may be easily seen, that the subgenera, established by 

 Balzan, are not well founded and have scarcely any real systematic value, and 

 that the characters, by which they were defined, are of no great importance. But 

 if we do not accept Balzan's system, we are bound to examine, whether all the 

 species of the whole big genus Chelifer Geof. pass gradually into each other, or 

 whether they may be arranged in natural and well defined groups. I think, that 

 a natural system is possible, principally based on the genital organs of the males, 

 but only the outlines of such a system will be drawn here, because too few species 

 of the described species are examined lo form a definitive classification. These 

 groups will be characterized one after the other. 



1. The "Lophochernes Sim." or Ch. cancroides L. group is characterized in the 

 following manner. Real eyes are present. Two transverse stripes on céphalothorax, 

 of which posterior sometimes the broader. The tergites of the male bear generally 

 lateral keel or teeth. Body as a rule granular with at least some of the hairs 

 clavate in most species. Genital area (cf. p. 122; pi. Ill, fig. 1 f ) with posterior plate 

 much bigger than anterior; very long ram's-horn-shaped organ present in male. 

 The coxa of the fourth pair of legs is in the male always concave behind (PI. Ill, 

 fig. 1 f), includes always a "coxal sac" and is often provided with an exterior spine. 

 The articulation between the trochantin and the femur proper of the hrst pair of 

 legs very wide and of the usual shape (cf. p. 37). The tarsus of the tirst pair of 

 legs is generally' shorter in the male than in the female, and the claws generally bear 

 accessory teeth, providing a sexual character in the first pair of legs (cf. p. 125). 

 The tarsal "tactile" hair is never basal, but median or terminal, and the terminal 

 lateral hairs bear at least a single tooth (cf. p. 126). It is evident, that the enu- 

 merated characters are of very unequal value, partly because they are also found 



