312 



XYSTICUS BIFASCIATUS. 



Thomisxjs bifasoiatus, C. L. Koch., Blaclw., Spid. Great Brit, 

 and Irel., p. 79, pi. iv., fig. 46. 

 „ „ Camlr., Trans. Linn. Soc. xxvii., p. 408, 



pi. 54, No. 9, o.f.g. 



Tlio length of the male is 3£ lines, and of the fomale 3f- to 4J- 

 linos. 



In its short robust form this spider very nearly resembles 

 Xyrficus robustus, Hahn., but it differs in its colours, as well as 

 notably in tho structure of the palpi and palpal organs. 



The cephalo-thorax of the malo is of a dark red-brown hue on 

 the sides, which are finely, but not densely, striped and marked 

 with yollowish-red along their middle portion. The longitudinal 

 band is of a pale, dull, brownish-yollow colour. Tho central 

 marking, behind the eyes, is large, and sharp pointed at its 

 posterior extremity, but of a somewhat sinuous outline, and 

 distinctly margined with cream-yellow. On each side (towards 

 the hinder extremity) of the central band is a black patch. 



The legs are striped longitudinally, on their outer sides, with 

 yellow-brown, dark red-brown, and yellow ; the anterior parts 

 being reddish-brown, mottled with yellowish. The two fore- 

 most pairs are rather darker coloured than the third and fourth. 



Tho palpi are short and strong. Tho radial joint has a pointed 

 apophysis at its extremity on the outer side, closely adhering to 

 the digital joint, and a strong obtusely-pointed one beneath, 

 rather prominent on either side towards its end. The digital 

 joint is rather largo, roundish at its hindor part, and pointed in 

 front. Tho palpal organs aro not very complex ; near their 

 centre are two closely-contiguous, rather long, prominent, slightly 

 curved, spine-liko processes, one of which has a strongish conical 

 projection near its base. 



Tho abdomen is oval, broader behind than in front, and 

 projects well, and closely, over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; 

 the upper side is of a dark reddish, slightly yellow-brown 

 colour, margined, but not very conspicuously, with cream white, 



