Mr. Black wall's Descriptions of new Species of Spiders. 653 



at the extremity, on the outer side, and slightly so on the inner side ; 

 fifth joint of an elongated oval form, convex and hairy externally, con- 

 cave within, comprising the palpal organs, which are highly developed, 

 complicated in structure, with a fine, straight, prominent, pointed spine 

 near the middle, and one or two slightly curved ones, enveloped in a 

 semitransparent membrane, at the extremity ; they are of a red-brown 

 colour. Abdomen oviform, convex above, projecting over the base of the 

 cephalo-thorax ; it is thinly covered with hairs, and of a brown -black 

 colour. 



The male of this species, which makes a near approximation to the Theridia 

 in external structure, was captured on iron rails at Crumpsall Hall, in October 

 1836. I have placed it, provisionally, in the genus Neriene, till the female 

 shall be discovered, as the sexes of the same spider frequently differ in the 

 relative length of the legs and in the form of the maxillae. 



39. Neriene gibbosa. Saturate brunnea; pedibus palpisque flavescenti-brun- 

 neis ; pedibus posterioribus anterioribus paul6 longioribus. 



Maris cephalo-thorax prope medium obtus^ gibbosus, antic^ fovea pro- 

 funda pilis rigidis dens^ vestita. 



Length of the female ^^th of an inch ; length of cephalo-thorax -^ ; breadth 

 -^ ; breadth of abdomen -^ ; length of a posterior leg \ ; length of a leg 

 of the third pair ^. 



Cephalo-thorax oval, glossy, rather gibbous near the middle, with slight fur- 

 rows on the sides, diverging from the upper part towards the margins, 

 and an indentation in the medial line of the posterior region. Mandibles 

 strong, conical, armed with teeth on the inner surface and slightly inclined 

 towards the sternum, which is broad and heart-shaped. Maxillae inclined 

 towards the lip, which is semicircular and prominent at the extremity. 

 These parts are dark brown, the mandibles and maxillae being the palest. 

 Legs and palpi yellowish brown. Fourth pair of legs rather the longest, 

 then the first, third pair the shortest. Intermediate eyes of the anterior 

 row the smallest of the eight. Abdomen oviform, convex above, project- 

 ing over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; it is thinly covered with hairs, 

 glossy and very dark brown. Plates of the spiracles dull yellow. 



4 Q 2 



