BRITISH SPIDERS OF THE GENUS MICRONETA 135 



Agyneta decora Camb. 



Neriene decora Camb. Trans. Linn. Soc, 187 1, p. 438. 

 Microneta clypeala F. Camb. Annals and Mag. Nat. 



Hist., series 6, vol. xiii., p. 90, and figures. 

 Microneta decora Camb. List of British and Irish Spiders. 



(Plate VIII., figs. 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3c) 



A comparison of the types of M. clypeata F. Camb. showed 

 their identity with the present species. Both the Cambridges 

 had, however, recognized this before. 



In this and the remaining species of the genus the anterior 

 border of the fang groove bears two strong teeth, of which the 

 proximal one is the weaker. The posterior border bears a 

 single tooth of medium size opposite the distal anterior 

 tooth. 



The lamella characteristica easily distinguishes the male 

 of this species. The body of this process is shaped some- 

 thing like a human brain ; it is generally semi-diaphanous, 

 and can be recognized instantly in any position of the palpal 

 organs. The low palpal tarsus is also distinctive. 



The epigyne is smaller than in the closely allied species, 

 and can usually be recognized with a little practice (see 

 figures). The female palpus in all the examples I have seen 

 is markedly tumid as to its last two joints. These joints have 

 a transverse measurement in most specimens of about "i8 mm., 

 but there appears to be some slight variation in the actual 

 breadth. 



The whole spider is usually deeply pigmented, and the 

 tibiae of the first and second pairs of legs are frequently deeper 

 in colour than the rest. Quite pale specimens are however 

 occasionally met with, and I have seen them almost colour- 

 less. 



The clypeus is usually much higher than the ocular area ; 

 the exact shape of the cephalothorax is subject to a good deal 

 of variation, but the occipital depression is always slight and 

 the clypeus never very hollow. 



