218 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



is distinctly beautiful. Considering their beauty, it is a pity 

 these structures are so fragile ; and also that when kept in 

 captivity the architects persistently decline to give an example 

 of their architectural skill. I have kept many species for obser- 

 vation at different times, but none have ever favoured me with a 

 web such as they fabricate in nature. Doubtless th? surround- 

 ings were not favourable. 



Dr. R. H. Pulleine, of Adelaide, informs me that he has often 

 noted a web of a South Australian spider exactly like that 

 described by McCook in respect of C. basilica. 



The section Arachnurete, like the preceding, includes only one 

 genus, Arachnura, Vinson, and it abounds in " Afric trop., orient., 

 contin. et insul.; India; Malasia; N.-FTollandia et N.-Zelandia." 1 - 

 It has not yet been recorded from Papua, but it is only reason- 

 able to suppose that it exists there. Simon says he possesses an 

 undescribed form from the Philippines. 



These spiders are not large, but they are of striking form. Our 

 species are A. higginsi and A. caudata, Bradl. I have collected 

 the former at Waterfall, National Park, and at Guildford, and 

 have also seen specimens from Tasmania. Mr. W. Bullock has 

 collected it at Parkville near Scone, and Mrs. Ross at Armidale. 

 Originally it was taken at Darling Downs, Queensland. 



The cephalothorax is flat, and the grooves at the junction of 

 the cephalic and thoracic segments, as well as the median trans- 

 verse thoracic groove, are deep and strongly defined; the abdomen 

 overhangs the base of the cephalothorax, and at its anterior 

 extremity is deeply indented ; it is long and attenuated, the 

 posterior extremity tapering so as to appear like a tail, which 

 latter is terminated with a spur-like process, but the projections 

 forming it are small and, in point of size, unequal. The males of 

 our species are unknown ; Simon, however, observed one in 

 Ce}don, probably the male of A. scorpionoides, Vinson, which was 

 only about one millimetre in length, whilst the female measured 

 15, so that the disparity between the sexes is very great. 



The webs of A. higginsi observed by me at Waterfall and 

 Guildford were perpendicular, of the normal orbicular form, and 

 about fifteen inches in diameter. When disturbed, this species 

 drops from its web and hangs suspended by its spinnerets to a fine 

 thread of silk. In this position it would certainly escape the 

 persecution of predatory foes, since both in colour and appearance 

 it resembles a dead rolled leaf. If greatly alarmed, this spider 

 w- ill drop to the ground and feign death. On one occasion when 



Simon— Loc. cit., \>. 777. 



