2 26 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. I^ 



abdomen above. This peculiar action may be largely responsible 

 for the bare spot on the rear of the abdomen in many specimens. 

 None of the series secured upon Jasper Ridge was so denuded, 

 but several individuals, both male and female, in the other mater- 

 ial of the collection here, have such a bare space above the spin- 

 nerets. One large male, brought into the laboratory early in the 

 Autumn and kept alive for several months, had a conspicuous 

 bare spot and would rub this spot with its metatarsi IV when dis- 

 turbed from behind. If worried from in front, however, the first 

 pair of legs would be raised, the whole body slowly swung back- 

 wards, followed by a quick spring forward, scarcely over two cen- 

 timeters, however, bringing down the front legs with consider- 

 able force. 



Altho I have made no particular study of the matter, as yet, 

 I do not believe that the bare spot on the abdomen has any value 

 as a specific, or other taxonomic, character. While the color 

 characters are quite constant in my Jasper Ridge series, consider- 

 able variation exists in the New Mexican series mentioned above. 



The first specimen brought in by Mr. Derby was secured by 

 pouring water down the burrow. That these tarantulas come 

 out readily when water is poured into their holes, is a well- 

 known fact in California, and many a small boy and camper finds 

 amusement in the performance, as also in putting two individuals 

 together and having a "tarantula fight." 



Brachythele longitarsis Simon (cJ*) Ann. Soc. ent. Fr., 1891, p.305; 

 (9) Actes Soc. Linn. Bord., 1891, p. 319. 



(Plate XVIII, figs. 1-2; XIX, fig. i). 



Reported from California, Idaho, and Texas, this form seems 

 to have a wide distribution. It is abundant about Stanford 

 University, San Jose, etc., and seems to hold its own in fields and 

 orchards plowed annually. It is common alike in the valley 

 levels and on open hillsides all thru the hills, at least up to 1600 

 feet and undoubtedly higher. I secured it in Sonoma County, 

 between Guerneville and Forestville, and in Monterey County,, 

 near Carmel. Specimens are in the collection here from San 

 Diego County. 



Both sexes of this species are described from immature 

 specimens (i. e., 9 19 mm. long, 6^ 15 mm. long), and the original 

 descriptions do not do justice to some of the important adult 

 characters. However, it is evident that Simon has more recently 



