1870.] REV. O. P. CAMBRIDGE ON EGYPTIAN SPIDERS. 595 



distinct transverse slit or opening, probably the orifice of a portion 

 of the tracheal system. 



A single example only was found near Cairo. Probably other 

 examples would show some variation in the distinctness of the mark- 

 ings ; but even from this one example it appears to me to be a very 

 distinct species. 



Philodromus venustus, sp.n. (Plate LIX. fig. 12.) 



Adult male, length not quite 1| lines ; adult female, rather more 

 than 2 lines. 



The cephalothorax of this pretty and very distinct species has a 

 broad central longitudinal yellow band, as wide as the length of the 

 hinder row of eyes, including most of the ocular area, and with a 

 paler angular bar at the hinder part of the caput, the angle directed 

 backwards ; the sides and clypeus, excepting a narrow marginal 

 cream-white line, are of a rich dark brown colour, somewhat curvi- 

 dentate on the lower edge ; and on either side of the caput, just below 

 each end ot the ocular area, is a yellowish spot ; the height of the 

 clypeus equals half that of the facial space. 



The eyes are in the ordinary position ; those of the fore central 

 pair are rather larger than the rest, and are much further from each 

 other than each is from the fore lateral eye on its side ; the four 

 central eyes describe a square whose fore side is the shortest. 



The legs are long and rather slender, their relative length being 

 2, 1, 4, 3, or 2, 4, 1, 3 ; they are yellow, broadly banded and other- 

 wise slightly marked with a brightish brown, but most distinctly and 

 darkly on those of the third and fourth pairs ; they are also fur- 

 nished with hairs and a few fine inconspicuous spines. 



The palpi are rather short, and similar in colours and markings to 

 the legs ; the radial and cubital joints are short, but of about equal 

 length, the former being furnished with several spines and a small 

 pointed corneous apophysis at its extremity on the outer side ; the 

 digital joint is rather long and of a narrow oval form and yellow-brown 

 colour ; the palpal organs are very simple, consisting apparently of 

 an oval lobe without any noticeable processes. 



The falces are moderate in length and strength, straight and sub- 

 conical, of a yellow colour, with two reddish black-brown patches in 

 front of each, one near the base, the other towards the extremity ; 

 in fact the base is more or less reddish black-brown all round. 



The maxilla and labium are of the usual form and, with the sternum, 

 of a pale yellow colour ; the latter has an elongate triangular black 

 spot at its hinder extremity. 



The abdomen is of an oval form, pointed behind and somewhat 

 flattish above ; it is of a bright buff colour, the upperside margined 

 on each side, but not quite to the hinder extremity, with a deep- 

 black-brown well-defined stripe, edged on the inner side with cream- 

 white ; from the fore extremity a short black-brown central stripe 

 runs a little way along the ordinary marking, which is of a much 

 paler colour and ill defined ; and from a little way above the spinners 

 a narrow cream-white stripe runs nearly to the extremity of the or- 



