188 

 LINYPHIA OBSCUEA, 



Linyphia obscura, Blachw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., 244, pi. 

 xvii., fig. 162. 



Length of the adult male 1-1 2th of an inch). 



This spider is nearly allied to the Linyphia tenelricola, "Wid., 

 which it also resembles in the general pattern on the abdomen ; 

 it may, however, be easily distinguished if the following differences 

 be carefully noted. The cephalo-thorax is much darker, being of 

 a dark brown hue. The cubital joint of the male palpus has a 

 much longer, and stronger prominent bristle on its anterior 

 side. The digital joint has a conspicuous and prominent, sharply 

 conical, slightly curved, horn-like spur at its base ; and the palpal 

 organs are more prominent, comprising several conspicuous 

 and projecting processes. The legs also are of a brighter colour, 

 being yellow, tinged with orange-red, and the spines are 

 stronger and more erect. The abdomen of the male is often of 

 an almost uniform dark blackish hue, with scarcely any pattern 

 visible; these examples are probably those which have been 

 6ome little time adult; younger ones have the centrallongitudinal 

 series of angular black lines preceded by a somewhat cruciform, 

 black marking formed by the coalition of a short longitudinal bar 

 with a transverse angular one. The lateral, whitish, horizontal, 

 line is stronger than that in Linyphia tenelricola, and is lower 

 down on the side, leaving above it, towards the fore extremity, a 

 large, somewhat quadrate, oblong black patch. This (especially 

 in females) is a very conspicuous and striking character. 



The whole spidor is of a less slender build than Linyphia 

 tenelricola ; and the female resembles the male, but is larger and 

 has a less frequent tendency to obscuration of the abdominal 

 markings. 



This is a rare spider on low plants and underwood at Blox- 

 worth, but is more frequent in Scotland. I have also received 



