some obscure British Spiders. 85 



The above description is taken from these specimens. 



Very rarely taken, but probably common in the moun- 

 tainous districts. It is recorded from the Cheviot Hills and 

 Mount Helvellyn. 



This species is remarkably similar to others of the genus 

 found in Britain, namely rurestris, C. K., subtilis, Cambr., 

 innotabilis, Cambr., while it is closely allied to two continental 

 species, Grouvellei, Cambr., and nigripes, Sim. 



The greater part of the species composing this genus are 

 very similar in general appearance, and require very careful 

 examination with a strong glass to determine the identity of 

 members of the male sex, while the females seem to defy 

 differentiation ; at least M. Simon has declared that he can in 

 many cases find no reliable characters, and I feel sure that 

 where he has failed I am not likely to succeed. It may be 

 that several of those now regarded as distinct species will 

 have to be lumped together as one, while the variations may be 

 regarded as those of localized races whose characters, though 

 perhaps in process of development, are not yet sufficiently 

 defined to merit the qualification specific. 



Subjoined is a table which gives some idea of the specific 

 characters of the males of the less obscure species. 



A. Cubital joint of palpus bearing on tbe upperside 



at tbe apex a tuft of long fine bairs. Humeral 



joint of palpus incrassated towards tbe apex . . M. viaria, Bl. 



B. Cubital joint of palpus bearing only a sbort sinu- 



ous bristle at its apex. Humeral joint not rnucb 

 incrassated towards tbe apex. 



I. Clypeus bigber tban tbe widtb of tbe ocular 



area. 



a. Prominence of digital j oint at the base on tbe 



upperside very large and conical. Base of 

 digital joint truncate on tbe inner side, not 

 bearing a tubercle M. conigera, Cambr. 



b. Prominence of digital joint at tbe base on the 



upperside not very large. Digital joint 

 furnished at the base on the inner side with 

 a small, conical, tubercular prominence . . M. subtilis, Cambr. 



II. Clypeus as high or lower than the width of 



the ocular area. 



a. Eyes of posterior row equidistant, separated 

 by a distance equal to one of their diameters. 



1. Digital joint conical and very prominent 

 on the upperside near the base. Palpal 

 organs exhibiting no conical prominence 

 at the base beneath M. rurestris, C. K. 



