147 
to be a beetle but a spider allied to an existing genus of 
tropical spiders of the family of Tarentulse. The nodule in 
which this specimen is embedded has split cleanly down the 
axis of the insect, and both the under and upper surfaces 
have been preserved in a singularly beautiful manner, 
whereas in Dr. Buckland’s figure the insect is less perfect 
and displays rather confusedly a portion of each surface. 
Mr. H. Woodward has described and figured Mr. Holders 
specimen in the Geo. Mag. September, 1871, under the name 
of Eophrynus Prestvicii, from its analogy to the spiders of 
the genus Phrynus. 
The appearance of each surface of this fossil is so remark- 
ably unlike that they might be readily mistaken for separate 
species. This is a character which may be seen in living 
species of Phrynus. The upper surface in the fossil is 
smooth and ringed, and the under surface granulated. In 
Phrynus the body is flat, divided into rings, the thorax 
broad and crescent-shaped, the skin is horny and hard, as in 
the scorpions. Spiders are generally soft and without rings. 
The palpi terminate in prehensile claws, the tibia of the 
forelegs are of enormous length, with the tarsi of extreme 
fineness, admirably adapted for delicate organs of feeling. 
The Tarentulae comprise Arachnids of high organization — 
approaching the scorpions — which have been found fossil 
in coal measures ; and this discovery of a spider opens to 
our contemplation another link of a prolific life existing in 
the vast forests of tropical coal plants. 
Annual Meeting, May 5th, 1873. 
Mr. J OSEPH Sidebotham, F.R A.S., in the Chair. 
The following report of the Council for the year ending 
5tli May, 1873, was read and passed : — 
Papers on the following subjects have been read during 
the past session : 
