395 



and shining with metallic brilliancy, but not thickly clothed 

 with hairs. The males may bo distinguished at once by a strong 

 spur-like apophysis springing from the humeral joint of the 

 palpus ; this apophysis is differently formed in different species, 

 and furnishes an unfailing criterion for the distinction of the 

 species. Their habitat is usually under stones and other such 

 shelter, but the males are found in bright sunshine actively 

 traversing low plants and bushos in soarch of their prey. About 

 twenty species are at present known in Europe, but three only 

 are found in Groat Britain, and all three have been met with in 

 Dorsetshire. 



HELIOPHANUS CUPREUS. 



Salticus cupeeus, Walclc, Blackw., Spid. Great Brit, and Irol., 

 p. 57, pi. iii., fig. 31 (in part). 



The length of tho male is about two lines, and the female is 

 rather larger. 



The colour of the cephalo-thorax of the male is very deep 

 black -brown, but quite black and tinged with greenish on the 

 caput; the margins, as well as an indistinct transverse line 

 behind the eyes, being clothed with white hairs. The legs are 

 brownish-yellow, or yellow, longitudinally striped (excepting 

 the metatarsi) with black ; the pale portions in front being 

 clothed with white squamose hairs. The maxillse have a strong 

 bifid protuberance noar tho oxtromity on the outer side, a 

 peculiarity not observable in the female. 



The palpi aro blackish-brown with a stripe of white squamose 

 hairs in front ; the humeral apophysis is strong, perpendicular, 

 very broad at the base, but tapering quickly to a rather sharpish 

 curved point, which has a somewhat hooked appearanco from 

 some points of view. The radial joint is much smaller than the 

 cubital, with a slender, taporing, curved apophysis at its outer 

 extremity, and another more curved undornoath. Tho digital 

 joint is rather long, and of a narrow oval, or oblong, form ; the 

 palpal organs consist of a large, prominent bulb, tho innor sido 



