1896.] SPIDBES FEOM THB LOWER AMAZONS. 763 



tumulus low ; anterior row of eyes a little procurved (posterior 

 margin of laterals aligned with centre of medians); the latter 

 circular, half a diameter apart, the same distance from laterals, 

 their diameter distinctly less than axis of laterals. Latei-als 

 ellipsoidal, distinctly separate, anterior a trifle larger than posterior. 

 Central posteriors very small, equidistant from central anterior 

 and posterior laterals '. 



Sternum a trifle longer than broad ; four pairs of sigilla visible — 

 1st pair at base of labial plate ; 2ud, 3rd, and 4th small, marginal. 

 Labium broader than long, not spinulose. Coxa of pedipalp \ longer 

 than broad ; anterior distal angle slightly produced and blutHy 

 rounded, not spinulose ; basal anterior angle and central basal 

 disk studded with minute cuspules. Leys 4, 1, 2, 3. Eemora 

 clothed beneath with long silky hairs ; other segments similarly, 

 though less thickly. Tibiae, protarsi, and tarsi with a fgw spines 

 beneath, especially iii. and iv. 



Spinners four. Posteriors as long as abdomen, trisegmental ; 

 two basal segments subeqnal, normal ; terminal 1 mm. longer 

 than both basals taken together, flexuose, caudiform, attenuate at 

 apex ; separate at base a distance e(|ual to length of both basals 

 taken together. Anterior spinners 2 mm. long, separate at base 

 j longer than one of them. Tarsal claws three, superiors armed 

 with 10-11 long denticles, inferior with four or five. Outer 

 margin of fang-groove with 10 stout teeth, inner margin with 9 ; a 

 third row of minute cusps close to outer row on inner side at base. 

 Measurements in millimetres (largest specimen). — 5 • Carap. 

 7 long., 5'5 lat. Abd. 11 long., 8-25 lat. 8tern. 3 long., 

 2'5 lat. Coxa of pedipalp 2 long., 1-5 lat. Pedes 4, 1, 2, 3 

 — iv. 13 long. Postr. mam. 11 long. Artl. 3 — 2-75 — 5-25 long., 

 4 separate. Antr. mam. 2 long., 2-5 separate. Mandibles 3 long. 



This species is, without any doubt, one of the most abundant 

 spiders on the Lower Amazons. It abounds almost everywhere, . 

 forming its white, sheet-like web, constructed sometimes in tiers, 

 one sheet above the other, under the bark of trees, amongst foliage, 

 in the hollow centres and amongst the spikes of pine-apple 

 plants, and in the crevices and crannies of ruined buildings. 

 Occasionally, too, they are constructed, like those of our Agelena, 

 on the ground. In general character the Spiders bear a strong 

 resemblance to this genus as well as to Textrix, and the speed 

 of their rapid retreat reminds one very much of the latter Spider. 

 The web, too, is very similar to that of Tegenaria or Textrix in 

 character. Though so abundant, they are not easily secured on 

 account of their rapidity, and I was unfortunate in not securing a 

 single male. It occurred everywhere from I 'aril to Manaos, along 

 the river margin and in the forest on the " terra finna." Whether 

 it extends far north or south I cannot say, though J should not be 

 surprised to find it through the entire valley of the Amazons. 

 The species forms an addition to the Museum collection. 



' These characters must be need with great caution. 



