Mr Cmiibridge on some Spiders from Newfoundland. 113 



Epeira obesa (Hentz). — I have never before seen an ex- 

 ample of this species, but have no doubt of the identity of 

 those now recorded with the spider described under the above 

 name by Hentz. It is closely allied to Epeira quadrata (Clk.), 

 but differs in the femora of the fourth as well as of the other 

 pairs, being constantly free from dark maculae or annuli, 

 while in E. quadrata there is always a largish macula or more 

 or less perfect annulus, near the middle of all the femora. 

 There is also a difference in the form of the epigyne from 

 that of E. quadrata. 



The size of the present spider is perhaps smaller than that of 

 Epeira quadrata, though the latter species varies so consider- 

 ably according to the more or less genial nature of the season, 

 that nothing positive can be stated on this point, inasmuch as 

 E. obesa may also vary in an equal degree. The length of the 

 larger of the two examples here recorded is 5^ lines, the 

 other being rather smaller. The pattern on these spiders was 

 very faintly indicated, but it appears to be exceedingly like 

 that of E. quadrata ; probably a series of examples would 

 enable me to point out some constant though perhaps small 

 differences. The male of E. obesa is not yet known. Ex- 

 amples of it would therefore be of great value and interest 

 to me. 



Two adult females were contained in the collection received 

 from Newfoundland. 



Epeira hilaris, sp.n. Adult female, length, 3^ lines. 



Cephalothorax rather short, broad, strongly constricted 

 laterally on the margins at the caput ; the occipital region is 

 convex, and, indeed, rather gibbous, its colour is dark red- 

 brown, and its surface is thinly clothed with short greyish 

 hairs. 



The eyes are in the ordinary position, placed on tubercular 

 prominences, and disposed in three groups, occupying the 

 whole width of the fore extremity of the caput, which is 

 of a greater breadth than usual. The rectangle formed by 

 the four central eyes is much narrower behind than in front, 

 the width behind being about equal to the length of the rect- 

 angle. The fore-central eyes are much larger than tlie hind- 

 centrals, and the intervals separating them are respectively 



VOL. VI. H 



