556 RKV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON EGYPTIAN SPIDERS. [Julie 20, 



Dictyna conducens, sp. ii. (Plate LVIII. fig. 3.) 



Adult male, length 1 line. 



This Spider is very nearly allied to the next, D. condocta, 

 resembling it closely in colours and in the general character of its 

 markings. It may, however, be easily distinguished by the less 

 distinctness and boldness of the markings on the abdomen, as well 

 as by the darker thorax contrasted against the paler caput, some 

 of the hoary hairs on which last form a tolerably distinct narrow 

 longitudinal band. 



The clypeus also exceeds in height half that of the facial space, 

 and projects more forwards. The underside of the abdomen also is 

 of a uniform pale dull yellowish colour. 



The radial joints of the palpi are destitute of the characteristic 

 spine near the hinder extremity of the upperside ; the digital 

 joints are smaller in proportion ; and the spine surrounding the 

 palpal organs is far less strong and conspicuous, being shorter and 

 much more slender. 



The fakes, while presenting the characteristic form of the genus, 

 exhibit it in a less marked degree than those of D. condocta. 



Adults of both sexes appeared to be numerous on the branches of 

 the Sont Acacia, in February, March, and April, near Cairo and 

 in other parts of Lower Egypt. 



Dictyna condocta, sp. n. (Plate LVIII. fig. 4.) 



Adult male, length rather less than 1 line. 



The cephalothorax of this small species is strongly constricted 

 laterally at the junction of the caput and thorax ; the caput is slightly 

 elevated and rounded ; the clypeus projects forwards at its lower part, 

 and its height is not quite equal to half that of the facial space. 



The colour of the cephalothorax is a deep yellow-brown with a 

 blackish margin ; and its surface is thinly famished with coarse 

 hoary hairs. 



The eyes are in the usual position ; those of the fore central pair are 

 separated by a wider interval than that by which each is divided 

 from the lateral eye on its side ; those of the fore and hinder central 

 pairs form very nearly a square, the posterior side being a little 

 longer than the anterior one ; those of the fore central pair are dark- 

 coloured, the rest being of a light hue. 



The leys are moderately strong, and rather long ; their relative 

 length being 1, 2, 4, 3; they are of a pale yellowish hue, and 

 furnished with hairs. 



The palpi are short, similar to the legs in colour, except the 

 digital joint, which is of a yellow-brown hue ; the cubital and radial 

 joints are both very short ; hut the latter appears to be a little the 

 longest, and has at the hinder extremity of the upperside a short, 

 bent, pointed spine whose tip is of a dark blackish colour ; the 

 digital joint is large, and the palpal organs simple, though prominent 

 at their hinder extremity ; they are completely encircled by a strong 

 black tapering spine, which is very visible close beneath the margins 

 of the joint. 



