391 



sixteen species only, divided among nino genera, have been, up 

 to the present tinao, found iu Dorsetshire. 



GENUS EPIBLEMUM, Hent%. CALLIETHEEA, C. L. 

 Koch., and SALTICUS, Blackw., in part. 



In this genus the cophalo-thorax is elongate, rather flat on the 

 upper surfaco, and the caput is but slightly narrower than the 

 thorax. The two posterior eyes are a little smaller than the 

 laterals of the anterior row, and form a line of tho same length. 

 The legs of the first and fourth pairs are the longest, and of very 

 nearly equal length, as also are those of the socond and third 

 paiis; and (excepting a circle of spines at the extremity of the 

 metatarsi of the third and fourth pairs) all are devoid of spines. 

 The falces of the male are, in the adult state, greatly, though 

 not always equally, developed, being long, cylindrical, project- 

 ing, divergent, and armed with a fang of corresponding 

 dimensions. 



The pattern of the abdomen usually assumos the form of 

 oblique, transverse, pale stripes, on each side of the central line 

 of the upper side on a dark ground. 



The species of this genus are not numerous in Great Britain, 

 where three only (all found in Dorsetshire) have been as yet 

 detected out of eleven recorded as European. They are usually 

 found on old walls, trunks of troos, palings, and gate posts, on 

 which they hunt for flies and other insects whose habit is to sit 

 and enjoy tho bright sun's rays. Thoy may bo soon elevating 

 the caput so as to command a greater extent of view with their 

 large and brilliant anterior eyes, and woe to the unlucky fly 

 perchod within leaping distanco. Tho possible length of their 

 leap is considerable, and its aim generally unerring. 



In leaping upon their prey from a perpendicular surfaco, these 

 spiders would inevitably fall to the ground wore it not for tho 

 support (inontioned in the Introduction, p. xxiv.) of silkon lines 

 secured by tho spinners to the surface at the moment of spring- 

 ing, and drawn out by the force of the leap.. These lines act as 

 a guide-rope to bring the spidor back to the surfaco at the extent 



