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ON fhe SOUTH APRICAN THERAPHOSID A, OR 
bE aN Ss SPIDERS) iN Ete COBLECTION OF 
THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM. 
Bye Wo E PoRcrin, eins) 
First Assistant wm the Musewm. 
(Communicated September 4, 1901.) 
The South African species of Theraphoside * were until recently 
comprised in the single genus Harpactira. In 1897 two new genera 
were recognised by Pocock and two more are added in this paper. 
These five genera may be distinguished as follows :— 
a. Cheliceree without scopule on the sides .. .. .. .. Harpactirella, nov. 
b. Cheliceree with a thick scopula of feathery hairs on the outer surface 
above. 
a‘. Cheliceree with a row of modified stridulating bristles extending obliquely 
or horizontally across the naked area on the lower part of the outer surface ; 
inner surface with a scopula above .. .. .. .. .. Harpactira, Auss. 
b'. Cheliceree without a row of stridulating bristles on the outer surface and 
without a scopula on the inner surface. 
a?. Thoracic fovea nearly circular, enclosing a central tubercle or large 
MOVIN Se Rete ens Meise einA gas od ee ce IC CTOLOGYTUS, EOC. 
b?. Thoracic fovea normal, transverse or procurved. 
a3. Outer surface of chelicere with a strong transverse impression 
posteriorly. Fovea strongly procurved .. .. Ca@logeniwm, nov. 
63. Outer surface of chelicere without a strong posterior impression. 
Fovea at most slightly procurved .. .. .. Pterinochilus, Poc. 
* For the information of collectors I may mention that these comprise the 
medium-sized and large, hairy, four-lunged spiders, generally known in South 
African Dutch as the ‘‘ Baviaan Spinnekop ”’ (Baboon Spider) and locally also as 
the ‘‘ Tarantula ’’ and ‘‘ Monkey-fingered Spider,’’ from the resemblance of the 
padded feet to the fingers of a monkey. They may be known from other four- 
lunged spiders, such as the Trap-door Spiders, &c., by having the tips of the legs, 
as well as the under surface of the two distal leg joints covered with a dense pad 
of short iridescent hairs. Another characteristic of these spiders is that when 
attacked they raise their front legs and jaws in a threatening manner and face 
their enemy. 
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