



Gasteracanthides. 

 Genus Gasteracantha. 



Gasteracantha quadrispinosa, sp. n. (Plate XXVI. fig. 1.) 



Adult female : transverse diameter of abdomen, exclusive of the 

 spines, 6 lines ; longitudinal diameter 2±. 



Abdomen transverse-oblong ; anterior margin curved, the con- 

 vexity of the curve directed forwards ; posterior margin curved to 

 about the same degree, with the convexity of the curve directed 

 backwards. Spines four, not very large, one at each of the four 

 corners of the- oblong, those of the anterior corners shortest and 

 weakest, with a slight but distinctly forward direction ; the posterior 

 spines rather less in length than the width of that part of the 

 abdomen, and projecting in a line parallel with its transverse axis. 

 Colour yellow-brown, the spines and siyilla (which are of normal 

 number, size, and position) rather darker. Legs short, femora 

 yellowish, the rest dark blackish brown, and (as also are the spines) 

 famished with short hairs. 



The cephalothorax projects but little beyond the fore margin of 

 the abdomen, and is of a deep rich black-brown hue. 



This Spider is allied to Gasteracantha malayensis, Sim., and 

 G. mengii, Keys., two species very closely allied to each other, if 



