MYGALID^. 



55 



CASE Mygale detrita {Koch). 



Mygale detrita is a Brazilian species, but in a subsequent case 

 (VI.) a specimen will be found from London docks. There is, 

 however, nothing surprising in any species from any quarter of 

 the world being found under favourable circumstances in London 

 docks. 



Atypus sulzeri. (Z<7/r.)— 14. Sketch, natural size. 



Although none of the genus Mygale 

 are found far beyond the limits of the 

 Tropics, one or two allied forms occur 

 in the temperate regions, and among 

 them is the present species, which is 

 found in Britain. It is one of our 



larger spiders, but is by no means common. It excavates, in 

 humid situations, a subterranean gallery, which is at first hori- 



Atypus sulzeri (magnified twice). 







Nest of At}'pus sulzeri. 



zontal, but inclines downwards towards its termination. In this 

 gallery it spins a tube of white silk, of a compact texture, about 

 half an inch in diameter, and the female deposits between thirty 

 and forty eggs in a cocoon of white silk attached to its extremity. 



