259 



EPEI11A CUCUHBITINA. 



EPBiiti. OTJCTODiTiNA, CUrek., Black*., Spid. Great Brit, and 

 Irol., p. 342, pi. xxv., fig. 247. 



The length of the male is about l-5th of an inch, and the 

 female is rather larger. 



This spider cannot well be mistaken for any other British 

 species excepting the next (Epeira Westringii, Thor). 



The cephalo-thorax is of a pale reddish-brown colour, marked 

 (in the male) with a longitudinal, lateral, dark blackish band along 

 each side. The legs of the female are similar to the cephalo- 

 thorax in colour, and immaculate, while those of the male are 

 annulated with black at the articulations, the extremity of the 

 first, second, and fourth pairs being brightish red. The palpi 

 are very short. Tho cubital joint is prominent at its extremity 

 in front, where there are two, long, curvedbristles, as wellas one leas 

 strong at the base. The radial joint is stronger than the cubital 

 and very much enlarged and prominent on the outer side ; the 

 digital joint is large, and has at its base a curved process, whose 

 extremity, directed outwards, is glossy, and in the form of a knob. 

 The palpal organs are of large size, prominent and complex. 



The abdomen is oval and projects considerably over the base 

 of the cephalo-thorax ; it is of a clear bright apple-green colour, 

 somewhat varied, or shaded, with white on the upper side, where 

 there is, occasionally, a narrow whitish marginal band and a 

 fairly defined, longitudinal, somewhat dagger-shaped, whitish- 

 bordered marking, whose acute point is directed backwards, and 

 two curved, longitudinal, widely separated rows of small black 

 spots, not exceeding five or six in each row, besides the ordinary 

 four in a quadrangle near the middle. The hinder extremity of 

 the abdomen is marked with a conspicuous bright red spot or 

 blotch. The under part has two indistinct, yellowish red-brown, 

 longitudinal, diffused lines— one on each side; and several 

 white spots in the form of a horse-shoe (the open part of which 

 is in front) encircle the spinners. 



