579 



immature males, exactly corresponding with the females in size, 

 colours, and markings. On comparing these adult males with 

 the types of Linyphia vmpigra (of which numerous adults were 

 also lately found, on the occasions mentioned above), I find a 

 perfect identity in general form and structure, and especially in 

 the structure of the palpi and palpal organs. In spite, therefore, 

 of tho striking difference in colour and markings, I have not the 

 least doubt but that they are of tho same species (dift'oring only in 

 the length of time elapsed since thoy came to maturity), and both 

 identical with the females found now as well as in 1860. We 

 have other instances of the malo spider resembling tho female 

 when first attaining the adult state, but soon afterwards assuming 

 a deeper hue and losing all, or nearly all, the characteristic mark- 

 ings. Vide descriptions of Linyphia pusilla (p. 231), L. clathrata 

 (p. 222), andZ. hortensis (p. 230). Linyphia cireumcincta is nearly 

 allied to Linyphia pusilla, Sund., but maybe easily distinguished 

 from it (in the fernalo sex) by tho uniformly dark under side of the 

 abdomen of the latter, and the differently marked cephalo- 

 thorax, while in tho male the long curved slender spino connected 

 with the palpal organs, though much resembling that of Linyphia 

 pusilla is not nearly so long, and forms a much less prominent 

 and not so extended a circle. Its colours also aro paler, but 

 clearer and brighter than those of Linyphia pusilla. 



LlNYPniA obscura, Bl. (p. 188). 



On the 7th of July, 1880, I met with numerous examples 

 of both sexes of this spider on the trunks of larch 

 trees at Bloxworth. Several of those spiders (as well as some 

 others — Linyphia zebrina, Menge), but all females, had the apodous 

 larva mentioned in the Introduction (p. xxxii.), adhering to the 

 abdomen. As these larvte, from their size (some exceeding that 

 of the spider's abdomen) appeared to be nearly fully-grown, I 

 determined to try once more to rear tho perfect insect, and so 

 placed thorn in a glass cylinder, whore, after two or three days, 

 I had the satisfaction of seeing thorn loave their hold upon their 

 victim, and, enclosing themselves in a small shuttle-shaped 



