528 
Mr. F. O. P. Cambridge on 
Though the species are very variable individually, they may 
be recognized by the following characters :— 
A. Abdomen with four spines only, median 
and posterior. 
1, Spines short, triangular, and equal in 
length. Colour variable. | Carapace 
and legs varying from bright orange- 
red, the latter annulate, to black 
throughout ; in this case there are deep 
cyanine reflections. Abdomen black 
or yellow, with black margins and 
blotches. Sternum and ventral area 
of abdomen black, the latter often with 
more or less vellow round the spinners 
and with yellow spots near posterior 
THATOUN » Pasaees ere oa wetaient oe ee easton 
2. Spines longer and more conical, unequal 
in length. Medians longer and stouter 
than the posterior spines. Colour vari- 
able. . Carapace and legs bright orange- 
red, the latter annulate or entirely 
black. Abdomen entirely yellow or 
entirely black; spines orange-red or 
DICK ji deenmalwekean anatase Viaind aanucels Maine 
B. Abdomen with six spines. 
1. Abdomen (not including spines) about 
one fourth broader than long. Spines 
unequal, anterior smaller than median, 
often obsolescent. Lateral spines longer 
than the posterior. Colour very vavri- 
able. Carapace and legs bright orange- 
red, latter annulate or entirely black. 
Abdomen entirely black or entirely 
yellow, or yellow more or less varie- 
vated with black or vice versd. Ven- 
tral area of abdomen usually black, 
spotted throughout with yellow. Spines 
orange-red or black ........... ee 
2. Abdomen (not including spines) about 
one half broader than long. Spines 
equal (anterior and median), posteriors 
larger. Anterior and median spines 
very small and sharp. Colour similarly 
variable. Anterior angles at the base 
of the spines and base of medians often 
with a large rounded blotch, black on 
yellow. Ventral area black, often lined 
with yellow, but not spotted ........ 
tetracantha, Linn. 
Canestrinit, O, P, Camb, 
? cancriformis, Linn, 
Kochit, Butler. 
Gasteracantha tetracantha (Linn.). 
Aranea tetracantha, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 1057. no. 45,—St. ‘Thomas. 
Gasteracantha pallida, C. K. (Marx), Die Arach, xi. p. 60, fig, 881.— 
California. 
G. quadridens, C. K., t. c. p. 59, fig. 880.—St. Thomas. 
