386 



PERCY SLADEN TRUST EXPEDITION 



Museum, in the following respects. The more posterior of the two dark narrow transverse 



lines, which are present on the pale anterior trapezoidal area of 



the abdomen, runs backwards on each side so as to join the broad 



dark central band ; a small median pale-coloured patch, which 



may become divided into two, is thus separated off from the rest 



of the pale trapezoidal area (Fig. 3). 



Material. Fourteen examples from Salomon, two from Coin 

 (Peros), a single example from Diego Garcia (Point Marianne) and 

 another from Mahe. 



All of them are females. 



Remarks. Argiope anasuja is known from the south of India 

 and from the Maldives. I have not had the opportunity of 

 comparing examples from the last mentioned locality with my 

 material. 



Fig. 3. Argiope anasuja 

 var. fletcheri, n. var. 

 Dorsal view of abdomen. 



34. Selenojis secreta, n. sp. (Fig. 4). 



Colour brownish, carapace with a broad longitudinal yellowish (or yellowish brown) 

 band occupying the centre ; the sides dark brown, variegated with a number of yellowish 

 specks. Femora of legs marked above with yellowish bands, 

 the other segments of the legs with pale spots above; in the 

 paler specimens (badly preserved) the yellowish markings are 

 indistinct. 



Carapace about as wide as long. 



Chelicera armed in a similar manner to that of S. radiatus 

 Latr., and the armature of the tibiae and metatarsi of the 

 anterior legs also the same as in that species. 



$. The row formed by the four anterior eyes is only very 

 slightly recurved, and these eyes are of larger size than is the 

 case in S. radiatus, the inequality in size* between them and 

 the posterior laterals being less marked than in that species 

 medians are only a little smaller than the anterior laterals, and the space which separates 

 the medians from one another is very much less than the diameter of the eye. 



Palp. Tibial apophysis very different in shape to that of S. radiatus. It is strongly 

 excavated below, the margin of the excavation being produced on its inner side into 

 a rather long and slender process ; a minute intermediate tubercle is present on the sharp 

 edge (of the margin) which intervenes between this process and the main (upper) cusp of 

 the apophysis (Fig. 4). 



Measurements in mm. Length of body 975, of carapace 4 "5, breadth of carapace 4 - 5, 

 length of first leg 23, of second 22'5, of third 225, of fourth 23. In the other male 



* The relative size of the eyes and the distances which separate them from one another are subject to 

 considerable variation in this species. 



Fig. 4. Selenops secreta, n. sp. 

 Tibial apophysis of palp 

 from below. 



Moreover the anterior 



