290 REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW ARANEIDEA. [Mar. 4, 



exclusive of the spines, rather over 4 \ lines ; longitudinal diameter 

 2-| lines. 



This Spider is of a more decidedly suhtriangular form than G. 

 simoni — the anterior side, where the apex of the triangle is trun- 

 cated, being of the same width only as the cephalothorax. The in- 

 termediate spines issue from the corners of the hinder part of the 

 abdomen, at each posterior angle of the triangle ; they are strong, but 

 not very long, and are very slightly directed backwards ; the anterior 

 spines are very small, close in front of the intermediate ones, but not 

 contiguous, and have very nearly the same direction. The posterior 

 spines are quite rudimentary, being represented by two minute, but 

 quite distinct, conical tubercles. The abdomen is yellow, with some 

 dusky blackish patches along the outer margins, in front of, and in- 

 cluding the anterior spines, as well as the sigilla on those parts. The 

 sigilla are of a deep red-brown colour ; the anterior ones are normal 

 in number, 10 ; the posterior ones 8 only. The underside is dusky 

 blackish, studded with very minute red-brown tubercles, and marked 

 with a few yellow blotches. 



The sternum is orange-yellow, bordered with red-brown. 



The cephalothorax is pale reddish yellow-brown, the upper part 

 of the caput being deep red-brown, the whole clothed with fine grey 

 adpressed hairs. The legs are dark brown. 



The similarity between the form of this Spider and that of some 

 species of the genus Acrosoma is remarkably close ; but the form of 

 the cephalothorax, as well as the number and position of the spines 

 on the abdomen, shows its true generic affinity. 



Nine examples were received, some time ago, through Mr. "W. 

 Cutter, from Madagascar. 



Gasteracantha wealii, sp. n. (Plate XXVII. fig. 20.) 



Length of the transverse diameter of an immature female (inclu- 

 ding the spines) 2 hues ; longitudinal diameter (exclusive of spines) 

 \\ line. 



The whole of this Spider is of a dull greenish olive yellow-brown 

 hue, with a small yellowish spot on the middle of the fore margin of 

 the abdomen ; the cephalothorax and legs are paler than the abdo- 

 men, the legs showing faint traces of darker annulations. The 

 caput is not elevated into a distinct conical prominence on the upper- 

 side, though there is a tolerably well-marked longitudinal cleft or 

 furrow along its centre, leaving a slight eminence on either side of the 

 central line. The spines are short, scarcely differing in length, and 

 mammose, i. e. are formed by a uniform and gradual enlargement 

 of the abdomen at the points where they spring, ending in a sharp 

 point, but are not of the distinctly inverted nail-form like those of a 

 New-Ireland species (G. pentagona, L. Koch) and some others. 



The sigilla are small, tinged with red-brown, but indistinct ; they 

 are 8 in front, 2 at each end, 7 behind, and 4 in the centre. 



The only example I have seen was contained among some Spiders 

 sent to me, from Caffraria, by Mr. J. Mansel Weale, and is apparently 

 of a very distinct and undescribed species. 



