353 



The abdomen is of a deep brown colour abovo and on the sides, 

 and reddish yellow-brown along the middle of the fore half, 

 which contains the normal marking. This is of an elongate, 

 somewhat diamond-shape, defined by a strong, though rather 

 irregular, dark brown marginal lino. The hinder extremity is 

 sharp pointed, and enclosed within the first of a series of 

 broadish, angular, and in some examples triangular, or arrow- 

 head-shaped, brownish-red bars, which diminish in size as they 

 approach the spinners ; along each side of these bars, at a little 

 distance, is a longitudinal row of small, bright bluish white 

 spots. The under side is yollow-brown. The sternum is dark- 

 brown, bisected longitudinally by a brownish-yellow stripe. 



The sexes differ but very little, excepting in size, being remark- 

 ably similar to each other both in colours and markings. 



This spider is abundant among rushes and sedgy grasses in 

 swamps at Bloxworth and in tho neighbourhood, and is adult in 

 June and July. I have also met with it at Glanvilles Wootton ; 

 and it has occurred in Buckinghamshire. 



PIHATA PIBATICUS. 



Araneus pieaticus, Chick., Sv., Spindl., p. 102, pi. v., tab. 1. 

 Lycosa pieatica, BlacJcw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irel., p. 34, 

 pi. ii., fig. 16. 



The length of the male is from 2\ to 2£ lines, and of the 

 female 2£ to 3J lines. 



Although very nearly allied to Pirata JiygropMlm, Thor., this 

 spider may be distinguished without difficulty by its generally 

 more yellow-brownish hue. It is also rather smaller. The 

 following differences may be noted in the otherwise very similar 

 pattern. 



The cephalo-thorax has no marginal brown band. The 

 normal longitudinal marking on the fore half of the abdomen 

 is of a somewhat tapering, oblong foim, blunt-pointed behind, 



