i6 



SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 



longitudinal bands : one near each margin, and a 

 central one somewhat divided towards the eyes. 

 The relative length of the legs is 2, 4, 1, 3; their 

 colour being similar to that of the cephalo-thorax, 

 but usually paler, and they are speckled with minute 

 brown spots. The abdomen is long and narrow, and 

 of a dull creamy-yellow hue, with a central longi- 



Fig. XI. Characteristics of Genus Philodromus. 



a. Cephalo-thorax viewed from above ; b. eyes and falces 

 seen from in front ; c. side view of spider, legs and palpi 

 truncated ; d. maxillae and labium ; e. sternum. 



tudinal brown band and a lateral mark of the same 

 colour. On the upper side, towards the posterior 

 extremity, are two distinct red-brown spots. This 

 spider is not rare, but it seems to be rather local. 

 I have received it in large numbers from Norwich. 



GENUS THANATUS C. L. KOCH. 



In this genus the anterior eyes are rather closely 

 grouped, the laterals being larger than the centrals. 

 The relative length of the legs is 4, 2, 1, 3. Cephalo- 

 thorax as broad as long. 



Thanatus striatus C. L. Koch. [Thanatus 

 hirstitus Cambr. ) 



Length. Male 4 mm. , female 4. 3 mm. 



The cephalo-thorax is of a dull yellow-brown 

 colour with three longitudinal dark brown bands, 

 and is thinly covered with distinct bristles. The legs 

 are a little paler than the cephalo-thorax, and are 

 furnished with a few fine spines. The abdomen is of 

 a creamy -yellow colour with some long black bristles ; 

 and upon its upper side are five dark brown longi- 

 tudinal bands. This spider is rather rare and local, 

 but has been found in large numbers in the Tens of 

 Cambridgeshire^ 



GENUS PHILODROMUS WLK. 



The eyes in this genus are small and almost equal 

 in size. The anterior row is much the shortest and, 

 with the centrals of the posterior row, ■ form a regular 

 hexagonal figure. The cephalo-thorax is broader 

 than long. Relative length of legs 2, 1, 4, 3 ; or 

 2, 1, 3, 4- 



Philodromus margaritatus Ok. [P. pallidas 

 Bl.) 



Length. Male 5 mm., female 6.3 mm. « 



The cephalo-thorax is grey with some brown 

 markings. The legs are very long, of a yellowish- 

 grey colour with some dark brown spots and streaks. 

 The colour of the abdomen is similar to that of the 

 legs, but it usually has a greenish tint ; there are 

 some brown and black markings on its upper side. 

 This spider is not rare on Scotch firs, with the lichen- 

 covered bark of which its colours harmonise. There 

 is a curious variety known asjejunus Panz, which is 

 of a white colour with a few black markings. This 

 form is found on apple-trees, its colours coinciding 

 with the lichen found in similar situations. 



Fig. XII. Characteristics of Genus Xysticus. 

 a. Cephalo-thorax viewed from above ; b. eyes and falces 

 seen from in front ; c. side view of spider, legs and palpi 

 truncated ; d. maxillae and labium ; e. sternum. 



Philodromus dispar Wlk. 



Length. Male 5 mm., female 6 mm. 



The cephalo-thorax is of a dull yellow colour with 

 a rather indistinct central band. The legs are long, 

 and of a dull greenish-yellow hue. The abdomen is 

 reddish-brown with a dark marking in the centre of 

 its anterior part, followed by a number of dark 

 angular bars. In the female these markings are 

 usually more prominent than in the male. This 

 spider is fairly common and generally distributed. 

 {To be continued. ) 



