Copulatory Organt^ In Rk-litahl ; Sper'matophores 135 



protubeniuce (PI. IX., fig. 1 /(, d^) which fits against the pi'oximal extremity of lamina cyathi- 

 formis. On its dorsal side, close to its base, the first tar.sal joint carries a very long process 

 (PI. VIII., fig. 3 h, d\ and Pi. IX., fig. 3 i, d" ; PI. IX., figs. 1 /■• and 1 0, which is very movable 

 and divided by a kind of suture into two portions, which are not movable iu relation to each 

 other, and of which the terminal one is of a rather complicated structure. As this latter is 

 very different in the different species, we shall in this place merely state that it is very long, 

 strongly curved upwards, and at the same time Hat or flattened, at least towards the joint. 

 In Gryptostemma (PL IX., figs. 1 k and 1 I) the antei'ior margin of this piece exhibits a 

 diverging flat process, which is absent in Cryptocellus (PI. IX., fig. 3 i). 



The tarsus is very movable and capable of being bent upwards so far that its dorsal 

 side at least touches the dorsal side of the metatarsus. When tliis movement is executed 

 in Gryptostemma the distal portion of lamina cyathiformis covers the proximal lodge on the 

 dorsal side of the metatarsus like a lid, whilst the first tarsal joint and the remainder of 

 the second tarsal joint together with the proximal portion of lamina cyathiformis, enter a 

 little into the distal lodge on the metatarsus. The consequence is that when the tarsus 

 in Cri/ptostemnia is bent upwards it forms together with the metatarsus a closed .space, 

 within which the movable process on the first tarsal joint is wholly enclosed. In Gryptocellus 

 the corresponding space is not quite closed, because in this genus lamina cyathiformis does 

 not enter into the cavity on the dorsal side of the metatarsus, when the tarsus is bent 

 upwards; when this movement is effected the proximal part of lamina cyathiformis touches 

 the posterior border of the cavity, but the distal part of it projects freely above the anterior 

 corner of the metatarsus, and the space remains open on tbe anterior side of the leg. In 

 both genera the tarsus, when bent upwards, hooks on slightly to the metatarsus, by means 

 of the curved point of the process on the metatarsus catching round the anterior border 

 of the movable process on the first tarsal joint. In Gryptost'em,ma the coupling is somewhat 

 strengthened by the arrangement that the diverging flat process on the anterior border of the 

 movable process of the first tarsal joint enters into that excavation on the metatarsus, in 

 which the movable process of the latter lies, and with its own border catches round the edge 

 of the posterior wall of the excavation. That this hooking together is the proper function 

 of the diverging process in question as well as of the excavation is confirmed by the 

 circumstance that both are wanting in Gryptocellus. 



Karsch does not advance any opinion as to the function of the arrangement of the 

 metatarsus and the tarsus of the third pair of legs in the one sex which he rightly 

 supposes to be the male. But Cook (p. 259) indicates without hesitation, " Copulatory organs 

 external, borne by the third (penultimate) pair of legs." We must agree with this view, 

 because it is not reasonable to suppose an arrangement so complicated to be without a 

 definite function; nor is it an instrument for catching hold of the female. We must 

 therefore note that this contrivance cannot possibly be looked upon as intended to convey 

 liquid semen, as is the case with the copulatory organs of the male in Araneas. It 

 does not seem therefore that one has any choice but to assume that the movable jjrocess 

 of the first tarsal joint (supported by lamina cyathiformis on the second joint) serves the 

 transfer of spermatophores ; but whether that is so can of course be decided only by making 

 out the occurrence of spermatophores by an anatomical investigation of adult animals, or 

 still better by observing the act of copulation in living animals. In this connexion we 

 may call to mind that spermatophores have been discovered in other Arachnida. We have 



