ARACHXIDA FROM NORTHERN QUEENSLAND— RAINBOW. 83 



Obs. — The species is somewhat variable in respect of its 

 ornamentation. In some examples the tracery scheme displays 

 a lesser number of lateral branches than shown in PI. xxi., 

 tigs. 1 and 3 herewith ; moreover, they always arise near the 

 anterior extremity, and are much longer. 



Hah. — Gordon vale, April 14, 1913, sweeping bashes and 

 grass ; May 26, 1914, sweeping in forest top of coastal range 

 at 1,500ft; May 29, 1913, jungle; sweeping along banks of 

 streamlet, August 23 and 30, and again on Nov. 7, 1912. 

 Aloomba, sweeping grass in forest, July, 1912. Proserpine 

 River, sweeping jungle bordering streamlet, Nov. 4, 1912. 



Group METE^. 



This group includes eight genera, of which only two, 

 nameh', Metu, C. Koch, and Loicauge, White (=^Ariji/roepeira, 

 Emert.), occur in Australia. Both of these are widely 

 distributed, Simon defining the range of the former as " Orbis 

 totius reg. et calidae," and of the latter as " Orbis totius reg. 

 tropicte rarius sub-tropicfe."^ 



In Meta the species are generally of a yellow or brown tint, 

 with the abdomen reticulated and ornamented on the superior 

 surface with foliaceous designs, or, as in M. ornata, L. Koch, 

 and M. trivittata, Keys., with longitudinal bars or stripes ; 

 some species, however, are numerously pitted with brilliant 

 metallic spots. Included in the latter series is M. aryctitiojiKnc- 

 tata, Mihi, which is described hereunder. 



The widely distributed and brilliant Leucauge celebesiana, 

 Walck., and L. (jnnit'.lata, Walck., are plentifully represented 

 in the material collected by Mr. Girault. '^ " 



Genm Meta, C. Koch. 



Meta ? ornata, L. Koch. 



(PI. xxi., figs. 4, 5.) 



Metci onintu, L. Koch, Die xlracli. des. Austr., i., 1871, p. 134, 

 pi. xi., fig. 6. 



1 Simon— Hiat. Mat. des Araigu., vol. 1, 1892 (1894), p. 736. 



