NEW AND RARE SPIDERS. 83 



of trap-line, which, immediately on the striking of the snare by an 

 insect, the spider lets go with a jerk, and thus more effectually 

 secures the insect. Dr. McCook appears to be convinced that the 

 American and English spider are of the same species, a point on 

 which I have some doubts, as I have never yet been able to detect 

 any such snare where I have found the English spider in some 

 abundance. It is possible, however, that I may have overlooked 

 the snare. One of the additions to our British list was made by my 

 nephew (Rev. Fredk. 0. P. Cambridge), on the summit of Helvellyn, 

 Tmeticus niger (F. 0. P. Cambr.), a fine distinct species new to 

 science : this was found under stones, in company with Tmeticus 

 sublimis Cambr., another rare species (only found before on the 

 Grampians), and Leptypliantes pinicola Sim., new to Britain. 

 These three rarities were obtained during a hasty visit one day in 

 September last, and augur well for the existence of other yet 

 unknown spiders in the same regions. Nearer home in our own 

 neighbourhood I have met with in the past year (only for the 

 second time) Walckendera ignobilis Cambr., one of the smallest 

 known spiders ; as well as a female of Hilaira uncata Cambr.' 

 with its white lenticular eggsac, concealed in the crevice of a 

 decayed stump. This was the first time I had ever found the 

 cocoon of this species, though the spider itself is fairly abundant in 

 our swamps. In the month of January I found among moss near 

 Bloxw r orth a spider new to science, of the genus Opistoxys Sim. a 

 genus separated from Neriene by the peculiar form of the sternum. 

 From Ireland an example of a fine species of Tegenaria was sent to 

 me by Mr. G. H. Carpenter, of the Science and Art Museum, 

 Dublin. It was found at Glenalough in a crevice of a wall of loose 

 stones, and is allied to T. atrica C. Koch, but is smaller and more 

 nearly allied to T. nervosa Sim., but I think it is distinct ; and 

 hitherto undescribed. The last spider on which I shall remark 

 here is the fine species of Tarantula T. fabrilis Koch (discovered 

 some years ago on Bloxworth heath, and, as yet, apparently confined 

 to that locality). It is a very variable species in its appearance, 

 not being found at all in some seasons ; but on the ( 18th of 



