BRITISH SPECIES OF PHALANGIDEA OR HARVEST MEN. 189 



M. Simon includes it as synonymic with M. diadema Fabr, 

 which he describes and figures as having the fourth spine on the 

 ocular eminence shorter than the rest. This, I understand from a 

 correspondence on the point with M. Simon, is a constant 

 character in the species he describes ; while the equal length of the 

 spines on the ocular eminence of M. insignis Meade is a constant 

 character of the British form. I have never seen the least 

 variation in any one of the numerous adult and immature British 

 examples I have examined. I am strongly, therefore, inclined to 

 believe it to be a distinct species from that of M. Simon, and 

 should expect that, on comparison of the two, some other specific 

 differences would become apparent. I have not, however, had an 

 opportunity yet of comparing them. M. Simon does not appear 

 to attach specific importance to the difference above noted, nor 

 should I do so were it not for its being apparently a constant one. 



GEN : OLIGOLOPHTTS f h ' ***** < 1872 >' 



E. Simon (1879). 



OPILIO Herbst-Meade (1855), ad partem. 



The chief generic distinctions between this genus and Phalangium 

 seem to be the presence of three spines or denticulse of greater or 

 less size in a transverse line on or close to the middle of the 

 anterior margin of the caput ; and the absence of false articulations 

 in the metatarsi of the first pair of legs. In almost every other 

 character there seems to be but little generic difference, though in 

 some species the spiny armature of the cephalothorax and other parts 

 is stronger and more marked. Having adopted the name Opilio as 

 Linnseus' specific name of the type of Phalangium, I refrain from 

 using it here as the generic name of the present group, and 

 have adopted the name Oligoloplius from Dr. C. Koch, who, 

 however, includes in a separate genus Opilio some species which 

 appear to me to be better included with the rest of his genus 

 Oligolophus. Monsieur Simon attaches little importance either to 

 the anterior row of 3 spines on the caput, or to the absence of false 

 articulations in the metatarsi of the first pair of legs, and excludes 



