331 



rapid, and no spider is more difficult to catch with the fingers, 

 owing to the groat facility with which it is able to throw off the 

 logs when seized by one or two only of thorn. It is adult in 

 June and July. 



PHILODEOMUS CESPITICOLENS. 



Philodkomus ceswtioolis, WalcTc., Hist. Nat. d. Ns. Apt. I., p. 



555. 

 „ oespiticolens, Blackw., Linn. Trans, xix., p. 123. 



„ cespiticolis, Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., 



p. 95, pi. v., fig. 58. 



The spider so nearly rosembles Philodromus aureolut, Clerck., in 

 size, form, colours, and markings, that any detailod description 

 would bo a mere repetition of the description of that species. It 

 will be, therefore, sufficient to remark that the malo may be 

 distinguished by the different form of the apophysis beneath the 

 anterior extremity of the radial joint. In tho present spider this 

 apophysis is of an angular shape, as if the quadrate form of 

 that of Philodromus aureolus had boon altered by cutting away or 

 sloping off its inner corner. There is also a small, obtuse, deep, 

 red-brown prominence at the outer side of the base of this 

 apophysis, which is not observable in Philodromus aureolas. Tho 

 apophysis moreovor at the outer extremity of the radial joint 

 gonorally appears (to me) to be rather smaller and moro acutely 

 pointed than in that species. 



With regard to the female of Philodromus cespiticolens I am 

 quite unable to give any roliable characters by which it may bo 

 certainly distinguished from Philodromus aureolus. 



Doubts are ontortained as to the specific distinctness of these 

 two species, by Dr. Thorell, who believes that many inter- 

 mediate forms of the radial apophysis are to be found. I cannot, 

 however, say that I have myself seen theso intermediate forms 

 among great numbers I have examined of both species. 



