346 



The spiders of this genus are few in number. One only has 

 been found in Europe, and is common in Dorsetshire, as well as 

 in most parts of England, North "Wales, and in Scotland. 



OCYALE MIRABILIS. 



Dolomedes mirabilis, Clerck., Blachw., Spid. Great Brit, and 

 Irel., p. 37, pi. ii., fig. 18. 



The male measures from 4 to 5£ lines in length, and the 

 female from 6 to 8 lines. 



The cephalo-thorax of the male is reddish-brown, clothed with 

 yellowish hairs, and with a longitudinal, central, narrow, yellow- 

 ish stripe, clothed with white hairs and often fining down to 

 but little more than a fine streak near the eyes ; from each of the 

 fore-lateral eyes to the external anterior lower corners of the 

 caput is a white band formed by white hairs ; this band is 

 broadest below, well defined on its fore edge, but diffused on 

 its hinder one, and the triangular space included between 

 the two bands is smooth and without hairs ; a short, curved, 

 whitish line also runs backwards from each eye of the 

 posterior or third row; and there are also two longitudinal 

 whitish, obscure, nearly parallel lines on each side near the 

 margin. In some examples the space enclosed by these lines is 

 also whitish from being covered with whitish hairs. The legs 

 are yellow-brown, long, moderately strong, and not very unequal 

 in length ; those of the fourth pair are the longest. 



The palpi are short, strong, and similar in colour to the legs, 

 excepting the digital joint which is dark brown. The radial 

 joint is rather shorter and less strong than the cubital. It has 

 at its extremity on the outer side a strongish tapering apophysis, 

 with a curved point, there is also a tuft of short hairs at 

 its base. The digital joint is large, round-oval at its base, and 

 produced into an elongated point at its extremity ; its length con- 

 siderably exceeds that of the radial and cubital joints together. 

 The palpal organs are very prominent and moderately complex. 



The abdomen is of a narrow oblong-oval form, and rather 



