igoS] Araneae Theraphosae of California 227 



received larger specimens, and has added (Hist. Nat. des Araign., 

 II, Supp., 1903, p. 964), a few points of great help to one working 

 with mature individuals of either sex. I have before me about 

 fifty specimens, including six males. At least half of the females 

 measure over 30 mm. in length, one of the largest measuring 46 

 mm. long, cephlx. 17 x 14 mm., abdomen 21 mm. long. The 

 scopula is very thin in half-grown, and smaller, specimens, but 

 very dense in the mature individuals. On tarsi I and II it is 

 uninterrupted, on tarsi III it may or may not be longitudinally 

 bisected by a more-or-less distinct setose line, while tarsi IV have 

 a very prominent row of black setae bisecting the scopula, com- 

 parable to that illustrated as characteristic of Ischnocolus and its 

 relatives, but said to be present in Brachythele subcalpetana 

 (loc. cit., I, 1892, p. 180), tho nowhere mentioned in connection 

 with B. longitarsis. Simon has added (loc. cit., II, p. 965) that 

 the density of the scopula varies according to the species, and in 

 the larger (B. longitarsis) it forms under the claws, tufts compar- 

 able to the fascicles of the Aviculariinae. This is quite true, and 

 the third claw, readily seen in young specimens, is so well con- 

 cealed amidst these tufts that only careful dissection will reveal 

 it. It is easily scraped off in trying to scrape away the surround- 

 ing hairs. In the male of this species, tibiae I are provided with 

 the obtuse tubercle bearing two unequal, closely contiguous spines. 

 This is also true of a specimen loaned me by Mr. W. F. Allen, 

 of Pacific Grove, the spider coming from a bunch of bananas, 

 shipped in, presumably, from the west coast of Central America. 

 It is evidently of another species, but was not determined be^^ond 

 the genus. 



Our Brachythele does not spin a large flat web, after the 

 manner of the Agelenids, as do the Diplurinae, in general, accord- 

 ing to Simon. On the contrary, it digs a deep burrow in the soil, 

 lining only the upper fourth, or less, of the tunnnel with consid- 

 erable or very little web. Occasionally, however, more or less 

 of a web is spread without the cavity, if the site selected is in 

 very loose soil or in long grass; but usually there is little or no 

 suggestion of an outside web, at least within the limits of my 

 experience. Frequently the mouth of the burrow is "spun up," 

 or closed, with silk, compactly at the surface (Plate XX, fig. i), 

 or loosely and down for some 5 or 6 cm. ; my only explanation for 

 this habit being that the spider has had a full meal and wishes 

 to rest undisturbed. It seems to have no peculiar connection 



