SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 



197 



Bathyphantes dorsalis Wid. (Linyphia 



claytoniae Bl.) 



Length. Male 2.5 mm., female 3 mm. 



The colouring of this common species is very 



Fig. i. 



Lepthyphantes minutus BI. Palpus and vulva 

 highly magnified. 



variable. The female may be easily distinguished by 

 the form of the epigynum. A conspicuous process is 

 directed backwards from the vulva, its extremity being 

 thickened and of a rather dark colour. 



GENUS LEPTHYPHANTES MENGE. 



This genus may be distinguished from the closely 

 allied Bathyphantes by the presence of at least one 

 spine upon the anterior metatarsi. The femora of 

 the second pair of legs are devoid of spines. Unless 

 stated to the contrary, it may be assumed that the 

 various species were formerly included in the genus 

 Liny phi a. 



Lepthyphantes minutus Bl. 



Length. Male 3.5 mm., female 4 mm. 



Legs distinctly annulated. The palpal organ and 

 vulva are figured in detail. This species is common, 

 especially in the North of England. 



Lepthyphantes leprosus Ohl. 



In size and colour this species closely resembles 



I. minutus Bl. The legs, however, hardly ever show 

 any distinct annulation. The jialpal organs and 

 vulva are figured. Not rare in the South of England. 

 Often found in outhouses and cellars. 



Lepthyphantes subnigripes Cb. 



Length. Female 3.5 mm. 



The metatarsi and tibiae of the first, second, and 

 fourth pairs of legs are brownish-black. Very rare. 



Lepthyphantes nebulosus Sund. {Liuyphia 

 vivax Bl. ) 



Allied to /. leprosus Ohl., but considerably larger. 

 Details of palpi and vulva are figured. This species 

 is almost invariably found in outhouses, and appears 

 to be somewhat local. 



Lepthyphantes tenuis Bl. {Livyphia tenuis 



+ L. tenebticola Bl.) 



Length. Male 2.2 mm., female larger. 



The palpus of this extremely common spider is 

 figured. By an unfortunate oversight the names 

 "falciform process" and "lateral stylum " are 

 transposed in the inscription. The anterior cei.tral 



Fig. 2. Lepthyphantes leprosies Ohl. Palpus and vulva 

 highly magnified. 



eyes are slightly smaller than the laterals, and are 

 almost one diameter apart. 



Lepthyphantes blackwallii Kulcz. (Z. 

 zebrinus Menge.) 



Very like L. tenuis in size and markings. The 

 anterior central eyes are much smaller than the 

 laterals, and are separated by only half the diameter 

 of one of them. This species is fairly common. 



