18/4. j REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW DRASSIDES. 389 



Drassus ensiger, sp. n. (Plate LI. fig. 14.) 



Adult male, length 3 lines. 



This species is of ordinary form and general structure, being 

 nearly allied to Drassus troglodytes both in size, form, and colour ; 

 but it differs remarkably from that, as well as from all other species 

 known to me, in the structure of the palpi and palpal organs. 



The cephalothorax is broadish oval, rather tapering before, i. e. 

 narrowest at the caput and rather flattish above ; the normal grooves 

 and furrows are fairly indicated, but the lateral impression at the 

 caput is very slight ; it is of a dark reddish yellow-brown colour, 

 with a fine blackish marginal line, and converging dusky lines 

 marking the segmental grooves. 



The eyes are of moderate size, and, except those of the fore cen- 

 tral pair, of a pearly whiteness, narrowly edged with black ; their 

 general position is ordinary, in two curved rows, the curves of which 

 are directed backwards, forming a transverse curved oblong figure 

 whose length is about double its width. The clypeus is low, ap- 

 parently not exceeding one third of the facial space. The eyes of 

 the hind central pair are oval, oblique, and near together, but not 

 contiguous to each other, and each is separated from the lateral of 

 the same row on its side by little if any more than the lateral eye's 

 diameter ; those of each lateral pair are near to each other and 

 placed a little obliquely, the interval between them is as nearly as 

 possible equal to that which separates those of the hind central pair ; 

 the four forming the foremost row are very near together, but not 

 quite contiguous, those of the fore central pair being rather further 

 from each other than each is from the lateral of the same row on its 

 side, and the smallest of the eight. 



The legs are rather strong, a little paler in colour than the cepha- 

 lothorax, and moderately long, their relative length being 4, 1 , 2, 3 ; 

 they are furnished with hairs, and those of the third and fourth 

 pairs with spines, chiefly on the tibiae and metatarsi ; each tarsus 

 terminates with two strongly curved toothed claws, beneath which 

 is a slight claw-tuft or scopula. 



The palpi are similar in colour to the legs, except the digital 

 joint, which is dark reddish brown ; they are furnished with a few 

 hairs and spines, and are of moderate length and rather strong ; the 

 cubital and radial joints are short ; the latter is the shortest and has its 

 fore extremity on the outer side produced into a long, slightly curved, 

 gently tapering, deep-red-brown glossy apophysis of double the length 

 of the joint itself, and ending in a point not far from the end of the 

 digital joint. This apophysis in its length and simple form is a very 

 marked feature, and makes the determination of the male of this 

 species an easy matter. The digital joint is large, of an oval form, 

 and exceeding in length the radial and cubital together. The 

 palpal organs are well developed, and rather complex, and from a 

 strongish lobe on their outer side near the middle issues a prominent, 

 rather corkscrew-shaped, sharp-pointed spine. 



The falces are not large, but straight, very slightly projecting, 

 and similar in colour to the cephalothorax. 



