314 -Di". W. F. Purcell on 



Vulva (PI. XIII. fig. 19) with broad median keel, a cavity 

 (bordered externally by a curved ridge) on each side of the 

 keel, and a large receptaculum partly on outer side of and 

 partly below each cavity. 



Length of trunk 11|- mm. 



Genus Xeroph^us, nov. 



Carapace moderately convex, attenuated in front, with 

 thotracic stria. Anterior row of eyes strongly procurved, the 

 median eyes large. Posterior row of eyes wider, moderately 

 or strongly procurved, the median eyes generally large, 

 obliquely oval or angular and rather close together. Lateral 

 eyes of each side much closer together than the anterior and 

 posterior median eyes. Clielicera hardly or not attenuated 

 at apex, with three (sometimes two) superior teeth and one 

 inferior tooth, the latter absent in some species. Sternum as 

 in DrassodeSf rather broad in front, or, at any rate, not 

 strongly attenuated nor produced. Legs generally rather 

 short and robust, the anterior pairs spined below on the meta- 

 tarsi and tibi» ; tarsi and anterior metatarsi scopulate to the 

 base, the posterior metatarsi and often also the anterior tibia 

 scopulate distally. Abdomen of male scutate above at base. 



Type : X. capensis, sp. n. 



This genus is evidently closely allied to Scotophceus, which 

 differs from it, according to Simon's diagnosis, principally in 

 having the sternum strongly attenuated in front. In Scoto- 

 phceuSy also, both rows of eyes are apparently straighter, the 

 chelicera more strongly attenuated at apex and the head more 

 depressed. 



The species fall into two sections : — 



§ 1. Speeies in which the median groove of the vulva of the female 

 terminates anteriorly in a small transverse pocket. (Spp. 1-9.) 



1. Xeropliceus capensis, sp. n. 

 (PL Xin. figs. 20&20a.) 



Specimens. — (a) 11 <^ ^ and 7 $ $ from the northern 

 base of Devil's Peak, Cape Peninsula ; also 2 $ ? from the 

 northern base of Table Mountain. 



Characters of a S specimen [type) : — 



Carapace narrowed in front, its width across the posterior 

 row of eyes more than |- but less than § of the greatest 

 width. Anterior row^ of eyes strongly procurved, the median 

 eyes close to the laterals and larger, much further from one 

 another, their lower margins on a level with (or slightly 



