368 



land. The soxos are adult from March to July. Probably 

 some of tho adult males survive the winter, as they are found at 

 times in tho autumn, as well as in very early spring. 



TARENTULA FABRILIS. 



Araneus fabrilis, Clcrek., Sv. Spindl., p. 86, pi. iv., tab. 2. 



Lyoosa tarentula fabrilis, C. L. Koch., Die Arachn. xiv., p. 



168, pi. ccccxcviii., fig. 1392. 



Length of tho male from 5 to 6 lines, and of the female from 

 6 to 8 lines. 



This fino spider is nearly allied to tho foregoing, but is much 

 larger, and tho under side of the abdomen is of a velvety black 

 colour. The markings of the cophalo -thorax and abdomen, 

 though of a generally similar character, are bolder and more 

 distinct, and prosent a still stronger contrast between the light- 

 grey pubescence, and the black-brown, and black markings. 



Tho logs of the male aro yellowish red-brown, sparingly 

 clothed with grey puboscence, and obscurely marked on the 

 femora with brown. Tho femora and tibieo of the first pair 

 have none of the dark colouring or clothing of those of 

 Tarentula andrenivora. 



The palpi are rather long, and like the legs in colour, except 

 the digital joints, which are large and dark brown. The radial 

 is rather longor and strongor than tho cubital joint ; the palpal 

 organs aro not very complex, but have a strong, black, promin- 

 ent process on their outer side. 



Tho central eyes of the anterior row (which is nearly about 

 equal in length to tho second row, or perhaps slightly shortor) are 

 larger than the laterals, all four boing separated by very nearly 

 equal intervals ; if anything, however, the spaco botwoen those 

 of the central pair is rather the widost. 



Tarentula fabrilis must rank among our largest indigenous 



