SCIENCE- G OSSIF. 



329 



AN INTKODUCTION TO BRITISH SPIDERS. 



By Feank Percy Smith. 



{Contiimed from page 299.) 



FAMILY LYCOSIDAE. 



In this family the four posterior eyes are, as a rule, 

 much larger than the four anterior, a,nd form a 

 quadrilateral figure upon the upper surface of the 

 caput. We may in consequence refer to the eyes 

 as being placed in three transverse rows of 4, 2, 2. 

 The tarsal claws are three in number. 



The Lycosidae spin no snare, but hunt their prey 

 upon the ground or low herbage, the term ' ' wolf- 

 spider " being consequently applied to many of the 

 representatives of this family. Some species are 

 able to run upon the surface of water, these being 

 commonly known as " raft - spiders. " 



GENUS PIS AURA SIM. 



In this genus the eyes are not very greatly un- 

 equal in size, and the second row is much shorter 

 than the first. The clypeus is high. The legs are 

 long and rather slender. The radial joint of the 

 male palpus is provided with an apophysis. 



Pisaura mirabilis Clk. {Dolomedes mirabilis 

 Bl., Ocyah mirabilis (Z\>. 



Length. Male 10 mm., ema e 14 mm. 



This fine species is common in most parts of the 

 country, running rapidly amongst low herbage. 



GENUS DOLOMEDES LATR. 



The spiders included in this genus are very 

 similar to Pisaiira. They are, however, of a far 

 more robust form. The tarsi and metatarsi are pro- 

 vided with scopulae. 



Walck. [Dolomedes 

 " Spiders of Great 



Dolomedes fimbriatus 



fimbriattis + D. ornatus in 

 Britain and Ireland.") 



Length. Male 12 mm., female 20 mm. 



This handsome spider is almost invariably found in 

 swamps and marshes, but is rather uncommon. 



GENUS PIRATA SUND. 



Eyes of second row much larger than those of first 

 row. Superior spinners decidedly longer than the 

 inferior. Radial joint of male palpus without 

 apophysis. 



Pirata piseatoria Clk. 



Length. Male 9 mm., female 11 mm. 



Cephalo-thorax dull yellow-brown with dark lateral 

 bands. These bands are furnished with a dense 

 coating of brilliant white hairs. Rare. 



Pirata piraticus {Lycosa piratica Bl.) 

 Length. Male 5 mm., female 6 mm. 

 Cephalo-thorax yellowish-brown with lateral, but 

 not marginal, dark bands. A very comnion species. 



Bl. 



Pirata hygrophilus Thor. {Lycosa piseatoria. 



1.) 

 Length. Male 6 mm. , female 7 mm. 



Pisaiira mirabilis Clk. a. Profile of Female, legs and palp 



truncated ; b. Palpus of Male ; c. Vulva ; d. Eyes of 



Female, viewed from in front. 



Cephalo-thorax yellowish-brown with dark lateral 

 and marginal bands. Common. 



Pirata latitans Bl. {Lycosa latitaiis Bl.) 

 Length. Male 4 mm., female 5 mm. 

 Cephalo-thorax dull dark-brown. Not rare. 



Pirata knorrii Scop. 



Length. Male 5 mm., female larger. 



Legs distinctly annulated. A very rare species. 



GENUS TROCHOSA. 



The spiders included in this genus are, as a rule,, 

 larger and more robust than Pirata. The superior 

 spinners are not longer than the inferior. The 



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