280 Transactions. — Zoology. 



filled in with, brown ; a broad irregular band to below centre of wing, beyond 

 cell, and formed of three black lines with brown interspaces ; a triangular 

 white spot below cell and a white patch terminating it and traversed by 

 two black crosses ; two diverging black bars surrounded with white in centre 

 of cell, and a third surrounded with dirty testaceous near base ; a large 

 irregular patch of pale ochraceous or whitish brown below end of cell, bounded 

 on internal area by three unequally formed patches which together almost 

 form the sides of a large triangle ; two small spots near base ; hind wings 

 greyish, becoming browner towards outer margin and crossed by eight inter- 

 rupted black bars ; body brown ; length of wings about 5 in. 11 lines. 



Art. XXXI. — On the Spiders of New Zealand. By Ll. Powell, M.D. 



PART T. Genus Salticus. 



(With Illustrations.) 



[Read hefore the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, \st May, 1872.] 



In the special department of Arachnology there is no modern systematic 

 work j descriptions are scattered through the transactions of various societies, 

 which are quite inaccessible to us at the antipodes ; the differences between 

 species are frequently so slight as to be described with great difficulty 

 by a novice, and on the other hand some species vary in so remarkable a 

 manner that there is great tendency to describe varieties as distinct species. 



I would ask students of the various branches of entomology in New 

 Zealand not to be deterred by these obstacles, but to follow my example and 

 do their best, feeling confident that with practice and experience difficulties 

 will be gradually overcome. Let all species believed to be new be described 

 with the utmost minuteness, leaving the genera doubtful where doubt exists, 

 and avoiding the creation of new genera likely to create present confusion and 

 subsequently to be swept away. This is the plan which I intend to pursue in 

 recording descriptions of New Zealand spiders, and I have every confidence 

 that arachnologists of greater experience in other parts of the world will deal 

 tenderly with my shortcomings, assisting me with their advice, and indicating 

 points which are more particularly deserving of attention. 



I would point out that there are many departments of natural history 

 which are at present unnoticed, and it is greatly to be desired that members 

 of this Society would take up single branches, collectiDg assiduously and 

 describing carefully; in this way the study of natural history in New Zealand, 

 will make rapid strides, and in this way alone. 



