42 REV. 0. P. CAMBRIDGE ON NEW ARANEIDEA.  [Feb. 5, 
are two large, somewhat suffused, pale yellowish patches; the under- 
side is also paler than the upper; spinners short, superior pair 
3-jointed, yellow, tinged with brown, inferior pair small, 1-jointed, 
and yellow. 
Examples of this spider, with two of its curious trapdoor nests 
fsund in the bark of the “ Kaffir Boom” tree, were kindly sent to me 
lately by the Rev. Nendick Abraham. It is nearly allied to, but 
quite distinct from, Moggridgea dyeri, Cambr. (Ann. & Mag. Nat. 
Hist., Nov. 1875, p. 317, pl. x.). 
Among other differences, it is a larger paler-coloured spider, the 
two rows of eyes are much closer together, and the hind lateral eyes 
are smaller in proportion to the hind central. The denticulations 
on the maxillze and labium are much less strong, and are not found 
(as in M. dyerz) beneath the bases of the coxa] joints of the first 
three pairs of legs. The nest resembles in general that of M. dyeri; 
it is, however, even better concealed than those of that species, 
there being no abnormal prominence, and often not the slightest 
tubular convexity of any kind apparent. In fact I had to search 
very minutely for ten minutes, and test every part of the pieces of 
bark sent to me with the point of aneedle, to find out the lids of the 
nests. One of the nests is furnished with a lid at each end; and 
from a communication made by Mr. Abraham to Mr. F. Taylor, of 
Liverpool, I gather that this is also occasionally the case with the 
nests of Muggridgea dyeri. I came to the conclusion, from Mr. 
Abraham’s letter to me, that this latter spider was peculiar to the 
** Kaffir Boom,” and the present species to the Oak ; but his notes on 
the two, sent to Mr. Taylor, lead me to suppose that each is found 
on both trees. The skill and perfection with which the minute 
licheus are placed upon the tube and its lid, causing them to 
resemble most exactly the rest of the bark, is indeed wonderful. Of 
the nests I have yet seen that of M. dyeri is less well concealed 
than those of I. abrahami. 
Examples both of the spiders and nests of M. dyeri were also sent 
to me by Mr. Abraham, whose name I have much pleasure in 
connecting with the new species. 
It is not easy to conjecture the purpose of the lower door. Mr. 
Abraham suggests that the lower door is made when the spider is 
young and gaining its experience, as a mode of escape from enemies 
which might gain access to the upper door. He has found that the - 
lower door ‘‘is not generally (if ever) so perfect as the upper door.” 
In the specimens before me, however, I can detect no difference 
between the two as regards perfection. 
Family Eresipz. 
Genus SteGopyruus, Sim. 
(resus, auctt. in parte.) 
STEGODYPHUS GREGARIUS, sp. n. (Plate II. figs. 4, 5.) 
Adult female. Length 23-4 lines; length of cephalothorax ina 
