NOTASPIS EXILIS. 359 



in the centre of the posterior margin, and having a 

 shorter rounded papilla filling up the space between 

 them. From each of the two lateral papillas springs a 

 hair of extraordinary size, being fully as long as the 

 whole body of the creature, and pointing backward and 

 somewhat upward ; these hairs assume all sorts of 

 curves. The notogaster has a polished surface, but it 

 is closely dotted all over with minute punctures ; it does 

 not bear any hairs. 



During the inert stage the membrane which unites 

 the cephalothorax and abdomen is drawn out, the two 

 central anterior papillae coalescing and apparently over- 

 hanging the cephalothorax ; the markings then mostly 

 disappear and the abdomen becomes flask- or gourd- 

 shaped. 



Distribution. — The species is generally distributed, 

 and is found in moss most frequently on the ground. 

 It has been recorded in France, Germany, Italy, 

 and Switzerland. 



NoTASPIS EXILIS,* Mc. PI. XXYIII, figs. 1—5. 



Notaspis exilis, Nic. P. 448, pi. iii, fig. 7. 



— — Haller. P. 305. 



Oppia exilis. Can. e. Fan., p. 21. 



Average length about '37 mm. 



Average breadth about '19 mm. 



Average length of legs (first pair) about "18 mm. 



Average length of legs (second pair) about "17 mm. 



Average length of legs (third pair) about "15 mm. 



Average length of legs (fourth pair) about "20 mm. 



It is often difficult to distiuguish this species from 

 N. tibialis, especially as both species vary considerably. 

 This is a very active creature. 



Colour light yellow-brown. 



* Exilis, tliin, slender. 



