i30 



in iength from 1-1 2th to l-14tli of an inch in length and the 

 female is a little larger. 



The caput does not rise above the thoracic level. The cephalo- 

 thorax is black or nearly so, as also is the slender, narrow, oviform 

 abdomen ; the legs are rather long, very slender, and vary 

 from yellowish to red-brown. The radial joints of the palpi are 

 vory short, and have a very small, pointed projection at their fore 

 extremity on the outer side. Tho digital joint is subconically 

 prominent towards its base, the prominent part indented on the 

 outside ; the palpal organs are complex, but pretty compact, and, 

 with the digital joint, are of a nearly circular form. The falces 

 are strong, divergent, and rather attenuate at their extremities ; 

 and the legs are armed with a few erect, very slender spines, or 

 rather strong bristles. 



This is an abundant, and almost universally distributed spider 

 throughout the summer and early autumn months. It may be 

 seen, frequently, running on the ground ; or, as it is strongly 

 addicted to aerial excursions, it will often be found on one's hat 

 or coat, intercepted in its airy flight ; it is also frequent among 

 grass and other herbage. Having had tho opportunity of 

 examining typical examples both of Neriene flavipes, Bl., and 

 Neriene gracilis, ibid., I feel no doubt about their being speci- 

 fically identical. 



NERIENE PENICILLATA. 



Erigone penicillata, Westr., Aran Suec, p. 289. 

 Neeiene corticea, Cambr.. Zoologist, 1862, p. 7964. 



Tho adult male of this small, but very distinct, spider measures 

 only l"16th of an inch in length, and the female is a trifle larger. 

 The caput does not rise above the thoracic level ; but there is a 

 strong transverse depression about the region of the occiput, 

 which is seen very distinctly when looked at in profile. The 

 colour of the cephalo-thorax is blackish-brown, the legs and 

 palpi yellowish-brown, and the abdomen black. The radial 

 joints of the palpi have the upper side rather protuberant, and 



