190 



LINYPHIA ALACBIS. 



Linyphia alaoris, Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., p. 235, 

 pi. xvii., fig. 157. 



The male measures 1-lltli of an inch in length. 



This spider is nearly alliodto Linyphia tenebricola, "Wid., hut is 

 larger and differs in the pattern on the abdomen, as well as in 

 the structure of tho palpal organs ; the palpi being also much 

 larger. 



The cephalo-thorax is brownish-yellow, with dusky margins. 

 The legs aro long, slender, yellow, and conspicuously spinous. 

 The palpi aro also long, slender, and similar to the legs in 

 colour. The radial and cubital joints are short ; the former is 

 the stronger, and from its base in front issues a long, tapering, 

 prominent bristle, while a similar, but longer one projects from 

 the fore extremity in front of the other. The palpal organs are 

 complex and prominent, the digital joint being of rathor an 

 irregular form. The abdomen is yellowish-brown, specklod with 

 white spots, and along the middle of tho upper side is a series of 

 angular black bars, whose fine extremities frequently reach the 

 sides, which are black ; each side being marked with a longi- 

 tudinal, curved, whitish-yellow line ; the two lines uniting above 

 the spinners. The two foremost of the central angular bars are 

 much stronger than the rest, and sometimes form triangles run- 

 ning into each other; and in other examples, when the 

 extremities of the angular lines are shortoned, a narrow longi- 

 tudinal dentated band, followed by two or three angular lines, 

 is all the pattern that remains. The under side is black-brown. 



The processos of tho palpal organs of tho male are more 

 prominont and conspicuous than those of Linyphia tenebricola. 

 The female is larger than tho malo, and generally has the pattern 

 on the abdomen more perfect and distinct than that of tho male; 

 and the genital process is prominent and conspicuous. 



Linyphia alacris is a rather rare spider among moss, low plants, 

 and herbage in open places in woods, at Bloxworth, in May and 



