387 



LYCOSA PALUSTRIS. 



Abanea paltjstris, Linn., Syst. Nat., Ed. 10, I., p. 623. 

 Lycosa exiqua, Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Ireland, p. 29, 



pi. ii., fig. 12 (in part). 

 Lycosa tabsaxis, Thor., Syn. Europ. Spid., p. 288. 



The length of the male is 2J to 3 lines, and that of the female 

 from 2J to 1\ lines. 



The copkalo-thorax is dark-brown, with the three ordinary 

 longitudinal bands (which are well dofined, but narrow), of a 

 yollow colour, clothed with grey hairs ; the lateral bands have a 

 distinct narrow brown stripe between each of thorn and the 

 margin, which is itself very narrow and of a yellow hue ; the 

 central band is drawn out anteriorly into a rather fine line, 

 which cuts a littlo into the deep blackish ocular area. 



The legs are long, not very strong, of a dull yellow colour ; the 

 upper sides of the femora marked with longitudinal black 

 streaks and markings. 



The palpi are similar in colour to the legs, excepting the 

 digital joint, which is doop brown ; this joint is large, and of a 

 very broad-oval form, pointed at its fore extremity, which ends 

 with a small curved claw ; the palpal organs aro prominent and 

 rather complex ; near their centre is a strong obtuse process, not 

 more than double the length of its breadth, and with a large 

 blunt pointed spur, or conical process, behind at its base. 



The abdoinen is oval, more or less clothed with grey or yellow- 

 groy hairs, obscuring the real colours and markings, which (like 

 thoso of all the Lyeosides) are best seen when in spirit of wine. 

 The colour is brownish-yellow (frequently tinged with rod-brown) 

 along the middle of the upper side. The normal marking at the 

 fore part is edged with black, and obtuso at its hinder 

 extremity.- The angular dark bars or linos which succood tho 

 normal marking are genorally obscure, and often obsolete, 

 excepting the extremities, which form short stripes, alternating, 

 as in many other species, with palo spots ; in some well-coloured 

 and distinctly-marked examples the intervals between the 



