ARACHNIDA FROM XORTHERX QUEENSLAND— RA INBO^v. g7 



Sub-ftninh/ Nephilin 



ee. 



This is a small sub-family, cunsistiug of four groups, two of 

 which occur in Australia. Thf Hist of these, Phonognathese, 

 embraces tliree genei'a, viz., I'lioiiognatlia, Sim., SIngofijpa, 

 Sim., and Deliochv^, Sim., so that as these genera have only, 

 so far, been recorded from this Commonwealth, the group is 

 purely Australian. The second group, Nephilese, is much 

 more widely distributed, and representatives of it are found 

 in all tropical and sub-tropical regions. It contains the single 

 genus Nephilo., Leach. Examples of both these gi'oups were 

 collected by Mr. A. A. Girault. 



(ji-oup Phonognatheae. 



Geiiiis Singotypa, Sim. 



SiNGOTYPA MELANOPYGA, L. Koch. 



(Plate .vxi., tig. 9). 



Epeira melauuj:ii/'ja, L. Koch, Die Arach. des Austr., i., 1871. 

 p. 97, pi. viii., figs. 2, 2a. 



The abdominal markings in the $ of this species vary in 

 intensity in different individuals, while the dark jiatch at the 

 posterior extremity is wanting in some examples. The 9 only 

 was described and figured by L. Koch, but Mr. Girault was 

 successful in securing several examples of the (^ , in respect of 

 which I append the following notes : — 



(J Cephalothorax 4 mm. long, 2.5 mm. wide; abdomen, 

 5 mm. long, 2.8 mm. wide. 



In general appearance, such as colour and general scheme 

 of ornamentation, both sexes agree, but as remarked above in 

 I'espect of the 9, similar variation is noticeable in different 

 individuals. Allowing for these the student will be guided 

 by L. Koch's description and figures. The pal^ji oi the ^ may 

 be described as follows : — 



Moderately long, clothed with a few short hairs and long 

 bristles; pale yellow Avitli exception of genital bulb, which is 

 much darker; genital bulb large, complicated (PI. xxi., 

 tig. 9). 



