142 



WALCKENAERA BREVIS. 



Thereditjm breve, Wid., Zool. Misc. Mus. Senck. p. 23C (242), 



pi. xvi., fig. 8. 

 Walckenaera depressa, Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., 



p. 306, pi. xxi., fig. 221. 

 The adult male measures less than one line in length, the 

 female being rather larger ; both sexes are almost exactly 

 similar in form and colours. The cephalo-thorax is broad-oval, 

 and its surface punctuose ; the f oro part (or caput) full, prominent, 

 bluff, and rounded, but without any distinct elevation ; its colour is 

 dark brownish-black. The legs aro short and, with tho palpi, 

 are yellow-brown, with a strong chestnut-red tinge. The 

 abdomen is black, often tinged with deep chestnut-brown;- it is 

 of a very short oval, almost circular and flattened form, project- 

 ing greatly over tho base of tho cephalo-thorax ; the upper side, 

 in the male, is covered with a kind of coriaceous integument 

 thickly beset with minute impressed dots or punctures, and pre- 

 sents a shield-like appearance. The palpi are short, and the 

 digital joint and palpal organs of moderate size, the latter com- 

 plex. The eyes are similar in position to those of Neriwe, and 

 the height of the clypeus is equal to half that of the facial space. 

 This, and several of the following species, can hardly be dis- 

 tinguished from Neri'ine, as at present characterized. I have, 

 however, left them for the present (for reasons before mentioned) 

 in the systematic position hero assigned to them. 



This littlo spider is not rare among moss and at heather roots 

 at Bloxworth, and in other localities, in spring and early summer, 

 when they are adult. It has occurred also in Scotland and 

 North Wales. 



WALCKENAERA BREVIPES. 



Walckenaera brevipes, West/ring, Aran. Suec. p. 294. 



„ „ Cambr., Trans. Linn. Soc. xxviii., p. 



454, pi. xxxv., No. 28. 

 This spider is nearly allied to Walckenaera brevis Wid., which it 



