316 



Sometimes these bars are slightly curved, at other times 

 straight. 



The spiders of this group are not found upon plants, shrubs, 

 and trees, like many of the Xystici, but usually under stones 

 at the roots of plants and herbage, and among moss, as well as 

 running on tho ground. Nor are the males so active. Of ono 

 spocies however Oxi/ptila atomaria, Panz., tho males wandor 

 about, when adult, on bare spots, paths, and roadsides, and run 

 protty swiftly. Some of the spiders of this genus aro clothed 

 with curious-looking, bristly hairs, clubbed, or incrassatod, at 

 tho oxtromity. 



Six spocios are at present known as British, and all of them 

 have been found in Dorsetshire. 



OXYPTILA PRATICOLA. 



Xystious piutioola, C. L. Koch., Die Arachn. iv. p. 77, Tab. 

 130, fig. 300, 301. 



Thomisus incertus, Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., p. 86, 

 pi. iv-, fig. 51. 



The male measuros 1£ bne in length, and tho female 2 linos. 



The sides of the cephalo-thorax of the male are reddish 

 yellow-brown ; in somo examples the dark patches near the 

 margin form a tolerably regular broadish band, always however 

 broken by pale transverse lines corresponding with the normal 

 thoracic indentations ; the margins are whitish. The central 

 longitudinal band tapers a good deal towards its posterior 

 extremity, it is of a pale reddish yellow-brown colour, and has 

 the usual central marking behind tho eyes, though not as dis- 

 tinct as in Xysticus. This marking is of a rather darker colour 

 than the band, marked and mottled with dark brown; it is 

 bluntish pointed behind, but often continued backwards for a 

 Uttle way in a linear form. The space immediately behind it is 

 of a brownish cream colour, brighter and more conspicuous in 

 some examples than in others. 



