184 



spiders (with several others of different species) had crawled 

 into the open mouth of the bottle, evidently thinking to find a 

 safe place of shelter, hut, on the contrary, it proved a prison, 

 from which there was scarcely a chance of escape, owing to the 

 form of the neck and shoulders of the bottle. 



LIOTPIIIA MINUTA. 



Linyphia mintjta, JSlackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., p. 218, 

 pi. xv., fig. 144. 



This spider so nearly resembles Linyphia leprosa Ohl. in size, 

 colours and markings, that any detailed description of it is quite 

 unnecessary. It will therefore suffice to note one or two differing 

 characters by which the present spider may be readily dis- 

 tinguished from Linyphia leprosa, and which will also distinguish 

 it from Linyphia ssebrina, Menge . 



In the present species the occasional faint annulation of 

 the legs of Linyphia leprosa is replaced by constant and very 

 distinct annuli. This difference applies to both sexes. In the 

 male the tapering pointed bent bristle at the fore extremity of 

 the upper side of the cubital joint is represented by a strong 

 spine-like bristle issuing from a minute tuberclo, slightly sinuous, 

 of equal size throughout, and obtuse at its end, or, rather, ter- 

 minating suddenly in a point. 



The female is more difficult to distinguish, excepting by the 

 distinct annulation of the legs. The process, however, connected 

 with the genital aperture differs a little in its structure. 



This spider is a rare one at Bloxworth, though met with in 

 situations similar to those in which Linyphia leprosa is found, and 

 I have not yet met with it olsewhero in Dorsetshire. 



In the north of England the prosent is a common spider, while 

 L. leprosa is a much scarcer one. It is also found in Scotland 

 and Wales. 



