1873.] GENERA AND SPECIES OF ARANEIDEA. 12.3 



which form the front of the large quadrangle ; and these four eyes 

 are about equally separated from each other. A great similarity 

 may be observed in the position of the eyes of this Spider to those 

 of Spiders of the genus Eresus, though there is no near affinity at 

 all between them in other respects, belonging, indeed, as they do, to 

 a widely distant family ; the height of the clypeus equals half that 

 of the facial space. 



The legs are long and slender, of an orange-yellow colour, except 

 the tarsi, which, as well as the outer sides of the genual, tibial, and 

 metatarsal joints, are of a whitish cream-colour; those of the second 

 pair are a little longer than those of the first, and those of the third 

 pair are much the shortest ; they are furnished sparingly with hairs 

 and a very few fine spines ; each tarsus terminates with two curved 

 pectinated claws, beneath which is a small scopula. 



The palpi are short, and similar in colour to the legs : the radial 

 and cubital joints are very short but of equal length ; the former is 

 strongest and has a small pointed spine-like apophysis at its outer 

 extremity ; the digital joint is large and of a flattish broad oval form 

 pointed in front. The palpal organs are simple and encircled by a 

 black filiform spine ; and another short one has its prominent point 

 near the point of the radial apophysis. 



Falces short, moderately strong, straight, and nearly vertical, and 

 similar in colour to the cephalothorax. 



The maxillce and labium are of a rather paler hue. 



Sternum heart-shaped and yellow. 



The abdomen is double the length of the cephalothorax, and 

 narrow, the hinder portion beiug the broadest and rather rounded ; 

 the sides and middle of the upperside are shrunken in or constricted ; 

 it is very sparingly clothed with hairs; and its colour is dull pale yellow 

 obscurely marked with blackish brown on the fore part and sides, with 

 some transverse slightly angular lines or narrow bars of the same 

 colour across the hinder part of the upperside ; there are also some 

 curved oblique rows of pale spots on the sides, formed by small tufts 

 of pale hairs ; these are less conspicuous in the male than in the 

 female. On either side of the hinder part of the abdomen near the 

 spinners is a large round conspicuous black spot ; the spinners are six 

 in number, rather large, not long, those of the inferior pair being the 

 largest. The female is rather larger, but in colours and markings re- 

 sembles the male. 



Of this curious and anomalous-looking Thomisid, which might be 

 easily mistaken at first sight for one of the Salticides, several examples 

 (including both sexes) were received from Ceylon, from Mr. G. H. 

 K. Thwaites. 



Fam. Theridiides. 



Genus Phoroncidia (Westw.). 



PHORONCIDIA THWA1TESII. 



Phoroncidia tkwaitesii, Cambr. Journ. Linn. Soc. vol. x. p. 270, 

 pi. 9. figs. 17-21. 



Since the publication of the description and figures of the female 



