SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 



mandibles and palpi. Osborne mentions that 

 when the cocoon of Clonus serophulariae is de- 

 tached a hole appears at the place where it was 

 fixed ; and, if the larva be still active, it will 

 immediately set about repairing the deficiency. 

 Looking through the hole, Osborne saw the 

 creature " plucking off with its mandibles little 

 round pellets of the whitish starch-like matter 

 which seemed to be excreted somewhere near the 

 anus ; " and this matter was stuck at the edge of 

 the hole and drawn out and moulded with the 

 mouth into a membrane, which soon dried and 

 resembled the rest of the cocoon. Since writing 

 I have had an opportunity of observing Clonus 

 scroplmlariae form its cocoon — in the manner 

 faithfully indicated by the accounts above quoted. 

 The insect is a common one ; but ifc may be well 

 to mention that the larvae observed were from 

 Seroplndaria nodosa found at Hampstead, and 

 that beetles reared from them were obligingly 

 identified by Canon Fowler. The larvae were 

 excessively slimy. When touched and the finger 

 slowly removed the mucus was drawn out into the 

 finest thread, which sometimes attained a length 

 of one or two inches ; but the creatures did not 

 leave a slime trail in their path like molluscs, 

 planarians, nemertines, etc. When about to 

 form the original membrane, the contracted 

 larva is attached by the whole ventral surface, and 

 appears altogether inactive. Observing with a 



lens, however, one finds that short, thick jets of 

 mucus are being excreted at intervals by the anal 

 nipple, not upon the centre of the back, but late- 

 rally, the nipple being extended first towards one 

 side, then towards the other, in strict alternation. 

 The mucus is in some way made to travel over the 

 body, and it gradually dries, every part of the 

 animal being ultimately covered with a regular 

 membrane. After a time, when this membrane is 

 complete and sufficiently dry, the larva detaches it 

 from its body ; and, detaching its ventral surface 

 from the object of support, it appears to stretch 

 the membrane by pressing upon it with the head 

 and back. The result is that it becomes free within 

 a membranous spherical cocoon. The structure is 

 sufficiently translucent for some time to enable one 

 to ascertain the further proceedings of the larva. 

 Commencing then to increase the substance of the 

 membrane, it can be observed, at regular intervals, 

 applying to the nipple, taking away a mouthful of 

 mucus, and working it with much diligence into 

 the walls of the cocoon. This it continues to do 

 for many hours. An individual, beginning this 

 part of the task at 9.30 p m., was continuing it at 

 11.30, and was still at work on the following morn- 

 ing. By cutting away a part of a cocoon, I saw 

 the animal, with a drop of mucus in its mouth, 

 attempting to repair the damage, as described by 

 Osborne. 



157 Ferme Park Road, London, N. 



AN INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SPIDERS. 



By Frank Percy Smith. 



(Continued from page 110.) 



GENUS OPISTOXYS SIMON. 



This genus may be distinguished from Porrhomma 

 and Hilaira by the sternum being produced into a 

 slender point between the hind coxae. 



Opistoxys subaeuta Cb. 



This, being the only British species of the genus, 

 may be recognised by means of the generic cha- 

 racters. 



GENUS TMETICUS MENGE. 



This genus, as here limited, is by no means 

 satisfactory, a complete revision being absolutely 

 necessary. The numerous species may be dis- 

 tinguished by the eyes being larger and more closely 

 grouped than in Hilaira and Porrhomma. The 

 diameter of the eyes, however, is usually less than the 

 intervals between them. The legs are rather short 

 and stout. 



Tmeticus rufus Wid. {Neriene mfa in 

 il Spiders of Dorset." Neriene rubripes Bl. ) 

 Length. Male 4 mm., female 4.5 mm. 



Falces with a prominent tooth on their internal 

 sides towards their extremities. A rare species. 



Tmeticus reprobus Cb. [Neriene reproba in 

 " Spiders of Dorset.") 



Length. Male 3 mm. 



Cephalo-thorax yellowish-brown. Eyes placed 

 upon black spots. Legs pale yellowish-brown. 

 Abdomen dull yellowish-brown, with coarse hairs. 

 An extremely rare spider, fully described in " Spiders 

 of Dorset." 



Tmeticus hardii Bl. ( Walckcnaera hardii in 

 " Spiders of Dorset.") 



Length. Male 4 mm. 



The distance between the posterior central eyes is 

 greater than that between one of them', and the adja- 

 cent lateral. A small conical prominence is situated 

 within the ocular area. A very rare species. 



Tmeticus scopiger Grube. {Linyphia ri/fa 

 in " Spiders of Dorset.") 



Length. Male 5 mm., female 6 mm. 



