1890.] NEW ARANEIDEA. 621 



confirms the interpretation above implied from the absence of the 

 spines on the falces. This, however, cannot be taken as conclusive, 

 inasmuch as in the genus Moggridgea, Cambr., there is a similar 

 absence of spines on the falces, while in an allied genus {Dendricon, 

 Cambr.) tliey are present ; but the known Spiders of each of these 

 two genera form their trapdoor nests in similar situations, i. e. in the 

 interstices of the rough bark of trees. I am also glad to be able to 

 give a figure and description, in the present paper, of JDendricon 

 rastratum, Cambr., a genus and species characterized and described 

 some time since (P. Z. S. 1889, p. 2,50) from a few dried fragments 

 of the Spider, which had been crushed to pieces in transit. The 

 perfect specimen, now in the British Museum, bears out the generic 

 distinction accorded to the fragments mentioned. Another very 

 remarkable Theraphosid described below was received from India, 

 from Dr. "Walsh (of the General Hospital, Calcutta). It possesses 

 only two spinners, and consequently needs not only a new genus, 

 but a new subfamily for its reception. 



Along with the above-mentioned species is also described a fine 

 Spider, nearly allied to the very remarkable Robsonia marina. Hector, 

 which last lives in holes of the rocks in the sea below high-water 

 mark, in New Zealand. I received no information as to the habits 

 of the present Spider, but should imagine them to be like those of 

 Dr. Hector's species. Among Mr. Abraham's S.-African Spiders 

 were several adult specimens of, Stegodyphus gregarius, Cambr., 

 of which the large nest, numerously inhabited by Spiders of all 

 ages, some time ago in the Society's Gardens ', came from the 

 same quarter of the globe. Mr. Abraham, however, says that the 

 nest of this Spider sometimes attains the enormous dimensions of 

 twelve feet. 



Fam. Theraphosid^. 



Subfam. Diplothelid^. (Spinners 2.) 



DiPLOTHELE, gen. nov. 



Characters of the Genus. 



Cephalothorax oval, rather truncated in front. 



Eyes very unequal in size, placed on a distinct protuberance, 

 forming a square ; the fore laterals and hind laterals occupy the 

 four corners of the square, and are placed obliquely, cutting off the 

 angles ; the fore and hind centrals form a transverse quadrangle 

 within the square, nearest the hinder part. 



Legs rather strong, moderately long, 4, 1,2, 3, but not differing 

 greatly in length ; furnished with hairs and bristles only, a few of 

 the latter beneath the tibiae and metatarsi of the third and fourth 

 pairs being of a spinous character ; the tarsi of the first two pairs 

 terminate with a strong compact claw-tuft, pointed in front ; the 

 terminal claws appeared to be two, curved, but not strong, and 

 without, so far as could be seen, any denticulation. The claw-tuft 

 on the two hinder pairs is less compact, not pointed, and more 



' Presented by Lord Walsingham. 



Proc. Zool. Soc.-— 189U, No. XLII. 42 



