SCIENCE- G OS SIP. 



>39 



Coclotcs atropos Wlk. [Coelotes saxatilis Bl.) 

 Length. Male 10.5 mm., female 12 mm. 

 The anterior central eyes are distinctly the smaller 

 of the eight. This species, which is not at all com- 

 mon, is liable to be mistaken at first sight lor spiders 

 of the genus Amaurobius ; but the length of the 



Description of fig. 15 : a. Palpus of Tegenaria domestica; 

 b. Radial apophysis of T. atrica ; c. Palpus of T. parietina : 

 d. Denticulation of falces of T. domestica ; e. Denticulation of 

 falces of T. parietina ; f. Vulva of T. atrica ; g. Vulva of 

 T. parietina ; li. Vulva of T. domestica. 



superior spinners and the absence of a supernumerary 

 spinner will at once distinguish it. 



Coelotes inmiaculatus Cb. 



This extremely rare species may be distinguished 

 from C. atropos Wlk. (1) by the reddish-yellow colour 

 of the cephalo-thorax ; (2) by the abdomen being 

 much paler ; (3) by the eyes being almost equal ; 

 and (4) by the distance between the hind central 

 eyes being distinctly greater than the distance between 

 one of them and the adjacent lateral eye. The 

 systematic position of this spider is somewhat doubtful. 



GENUS TEGENARIA LATR. 



The cephalo-thorax is of an oval form, the caput 

 being very prominent. The falces are powerful, and 

 armed with teeth opposed to the fang. Superior 

 spinners very long. Maxillae long, and widest at the 

 extremity. Labium short, and somewhat hollowed 

 at the apex. This genus contains the true house- 

 spiders, and also a few which are found in other 

 situations. The snare is a horizontal sheet of web 

 converging to form a tubular retreat. The spiders 

 are very wary, and as they select well-protected 

 situations their dislodgement is usually a matter of 

 some difficulty. If a buzzing fly be held on or near 

 the snare they will usually cautiously emerge, when 



their retreat must be skilfully cut off by stopping up 

 the Opening with the finger, li is almost impossible 

 to 1 li< spidei . with the forceps, unless some such 



pre mtion is taken, as they are very agile and also 



able to throw off the leg, or even two legs, by which 

 they are held. 



Tegonaria atrica Koch. 



Length. Male 14 mm., female 18 mm. 



I he size of this fine spider will usually be sufficient 

 to distinguish it from any others of the genus except 

 T. parietina Fourc. and T. kibemica Cb. The 

 following characters are valuable : — The legs are not 

 annulated. The sternum is yellowish, with a broad 

 marginal band of a blackish colour. On this band 

 are eight large round yellow spots, one opposite the 

 insertion of each leg. The penultimate joint of each 

 of the superior spinners is of a blackish colour. The 

 form of the radial apophysis and vulva should also lie 

 carefully noted (see fig. XV). This species seems to 

 be rather local. I have taken it abundantly in the 

 North London district, but never indoors. 



Tsgenaria parietina Fourc. (T. domestical.) 

 Length. Male 14 mm., female IS mm. 

 In this species the legs are far longer than in 

 T. atrita Koch, although the body is seldom much 



1 lescription >>f I'm- 16 : a. Pholcus plutlangioidrs ; />. Vulva of 

 Pholcusj>halangioidcs\ c. ami d. Palpus of male in two posi- 

 tions. 



larger than in that species. The palpus of the male 

 is considerably different in structure, the digital joint 

 being more elongate, and a long curved spine is present 

 upon the front part of the palpal organs. This is a 



F4 



