115 



NERIENE DENTATA. 



Neriene dentata, Wider., Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., 

 p. 258, pi. xviii., fig. 174. 



The length of the male of this species is 1-1 Oth of an inch, the 

 female heing rather larger. Like those of Neriene affinis, the f alces 

 of the male have a strong tooth in front, but the two species may- 

 be readily distinguished by the caput, which is, in the present 

 spider, more convex behind the eyes, and rather elevated above the 

 thorax, the most elevated part being clothed with numerous strong 

 hairs. The digital joints of the palpi are large, and the palpal 

 organs prominent and complex ; the cubital joint has also a small 

 spur beneath its fore extremity. Its colours are generally of a 

 duller hue than those of N. affinis. The female is similar in 

 colour to the male, and in both sexes tho abdomen frequently 

 has a central, longitudinal pale stripe. 



I have found this spider at Bloxworth and in several other 

 parts of Dorsetshire (but not in abundance), among moss and 

 water weeds in marshy places, in the months of May and June. 

 It has also occurred in Scotland. 



NERIENE AGRESTIS. 



Neriene agrestis, Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., p. 276, 

 pi. xix., fig. 190. 

 The male of this little spider is no more, and often less, than 

 l-12th of an inch in length. The colour of the cephalo-thorax is 

 yellow-brown, the legs and palpi pale reddish-yellow, and the 

 abdomen dark blackish-brown. The upper side of the caput is 

 somewhat convexly raised above the rest. The palpi are moder- 

 ately long, slender, and the radial joint has a very small pro- 

 jection at the extremity on the upper side, armed with two sharp 

 points. The digital joint and palpal organs are also small. The 

 female is larger than the male, and often has a pale, longitudinal 

 stripe down the middle of tho upper sido of the abdomen, very 

 much resembling, in this respect, the female of Neriene munda. 



