147 



to be a beetle but a spider allied to an existing genus of 

 tropical spiders of the family of Tarentulse. The nodule in 

 which this specimen is embedded has split cleanly down the 

 axis of the insect, and both the under and upper surfaces 

 have been preserved in a singularly beautiful manner, 

 whereas in Dr. Buckland's figure the insect is less perfect 

 and displays rather confusedly a portion of each surface. 



Mr. H. Woodward has described and figured Mr. Hollier's 

 specimen in the Geo. Mag. September, 1871, under the name 

 of Eophrynus Prestvicii, from its analogy to the spiders of 

 the genus Phrynus. 



The appearance of each surface of this fossil is so remark- 

 ably unlike that they might be readily mistaken for separate 

 species. This is a character which may be seen in living 

 species of Phrynus. The upper surface in the fossil is 

 smooth and ringed, and the under surface granulated. In 

 Phrynus the body is flat, divided into rings, the thorax 

 broad and crescent-shaped, the skin is horny and hard, as in 

 the scorpions. Spiders are generally soft and without rings. 

 The palpi terminate in prehensile claws, the tibia of the 

 forelegs are of enormous length, with the tarsi of extreme 

 fineness, admirably adapted for delicate organs of feeling. 

 The Tarentulse comprise Arachnids of high organization — 

 approaching the scorpions — which have been found fossil 

 in coal measures ; and this discovery of a spider opens to 

 our contemplation another link of a prolific life existing iu 

 the vast forests of tropical coal plajits. 



Annual Meeting, May oth, 1873. 

 Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, F.R.A.S., in the Chair. 



The following report of the Council for the year ending 

 5th May, 1873, was read and passed : — 



Papers on the following subjects have been read during 

 the past session ; 



