March 1897.] BaNKS : On TwO New SmYNTHURIDS. 33 



DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SMYNTHURIDS. 



By Nathan Banks. 



We hardly expect to find in the imy, soft-bodied spring-tails the 

 curious peculiarities that often excite our wonder in the higher groups. 

 The differences between species too often lie in uninteresting details. 

 Sometimes the pattern of markings or the covering of scales attract our 

 attention, but for the most part there is much similarity in appearance. 

 In Florida the writer collected a Smynthurid distinguished from all 

 known species by possessing a distinct median spine on the body ; it has 

 been described by Mr. Mac Gillivray as Smyttthurus floridanus. 



Some years ago while collecting on Long Island I found a species 

 oi Smynthurus with clavate hairs on its back; the specimen was in some 

 way lost, but this year I have rediscovered it. Beside the clavate hairs, 

 which separate it from all other species, this form is also peculiar in 

 having between the eyes two tubercles. The other species which I de- 

 scribe below was swept from weeds on the top of the highest hill on Long 

 Island ; it is peculiar in having at the tip of the body horn-like tubercles. 

 This form I have named in honor of that distinguished authority on our 

 Thysanura, Mr. Mac Gillivray. 



Smynthurus clavatus, sp. nov. 



Length 1.2 mm. Head yellowish, with some irregular reddish spots and a 

 median stripe between antennae and eyes ; antennse yellowish, darker at the tips ; 

 abdomen rich brownish, rather purplish on the sides, anal tubercle yellowish; legs 

 pale, mottled with brownish, furcula paler, but denies somewhat purplish. (I have 

 seen specimens darker throughout.) Head quite broad, with two conical elevations 

 between the eyes, and a few small tubercles bearing short stiff hairs, simple hairs in 

 front ; antennae very short, first joint no longer than broad, second twice as long, third 

 as long as first and second together, fourth about as long as the third, consisting of 

 two parts, the basal the longer, the apical part tapering, only a few scattered short 

 simple hairs on the antennre ; dorsum of abdomen with scattered large clavate hairs, 

 simple short spike-like bristles on the anal tubercle ; legs short, with one claw and 

 a tenant hair at tip (apparently), clothed with stiff short haii's; furcula short, denies 

 about as long as the diameter of the anal tubercle, curved and with a few simple hairs 

 below (when in place), mucrones one-third the length of the denies, rather stubby, 

 with minute teeth along the lower edge. 



One specimen under loose bark of a decayed log in a swamp, Oc- 

 tober, Sea Cliff, N. Y.; two others (darker in color) escaped me. 

 Easily distinguished by the short antennae, tubercles between eyes, and 

 clavate hairs on dorsum. 



