322 



"Wales, and I have received examples of it from Scotland. The 

 form of the radial joint of the male palpus renders that sex 

 easily distinguishable from the males of the next two species, to 

 both of which it is nearly allied. 



OXYPTILA ATOMAKIA. 



Aranea atomaria, Panzer, Faun. Ins. Gorin. 71, 19. 

 Thomisus versutus, Blackw., Spid. Groat Brit, and Irol., p. 83, 

 pi. iv., fig. 49. 



Thomisus pallidus, Blackw., I.e., p. 82, pi. iv., fig. 48. 



Xysticus iiorticola, C. L. Koch., Die Arachn. iv., p. 74, Tab. 

 exxix., fig. 296-298. 



Thomisus pallidus, Canibr., Trans. Linn. Soc, xxvii., p. 408, 

 pl. 54, No. 10. 



Xystious versutus, Blackw. ; Cambr., Ann. and Mag. N.H., 

 Feb., 1878, p. 121. 



The length of tho male varies from 1 J- to 2 linos, and that of 

 the fomalo from 2 -J- to 2f . 



This spider is nearly allied to Oxyptila trux, Blackw. It is, 

 howovor, less richly colourod, and varios from its darkest hues to 

 an almost unicolorous yellowish abdomen, mottled slightly with 

 white, and marked with a few blackish spots (var. Thomim g 

 pallidus, Blackw.). It may also be distinguished (in the darker 

 varieties) from Oxyptila trux, by the marginal black border of 

 the cephalo-thorax being broader, and tho fore part of tho space 

 between it and the upper black band being generally marked 

 with black towards its fore extremity. The marginal black 

 border is, however, often very fragmentary, and, in the pale 

 examples, is altogether wanting. The upper side of tho 

 abdomen is less distinctly variegated than that of Oxyptila trux, 

 though markod with very similar colours, and there are generally 

 visible a fow black spots close to tho marginal white border. 

 In the palest variety soino of thoso marginal black spots, with one 

 or two others, aro all the dark markings visible. 



