ARACHNIDA FROM MACQUARIE ISLAND. 
By W. J. Ratnsow, F.E.S., Entomologist to the Australian Museum. 
The Arachnid material collected by the Australian Antarctic Exploring Expedition 
on Macquarie Island was, as one would naturally expect, small in point of species. The 
collection consists of one Peecilophysid and two Araneids. Of the first named, there 
are about half a dozen examples, while in respect of the spiders one species is represented 
by one specimen, and that an undescribed male ; of the second, there is a fair number 
of specimens, and both males and females are represented. In this case, too, the male 
is a novelty, and both will be found described hereunder. 
The Poecilophysid is interesting from the fact that it was originally discovered on 
Kerguelen Island by the Rev. A. E. Eaton, who accompanied the Transit of Venus 
Expedition to that island in 1874, and was described and figured by the Rev. O. P. 
Cambridge in 1876. 
Order PORCILOPHYSIDEA. 
Family PGACILOPHYSIDES. 
Genus Peecilophysis O. P. Camb. 
PGCILOPHYSIS KERGUELENENSIS O. P. Camb. 
Pecilophysis kerquelenensis O. P. Camb., Proc. Zool. Soc., 1876, p. 263, pl. XTX., fig. 4. 
Among the material collected on Macquarie Island there were half a dozen examples 
of a curious and minute Arachnid, and these bear out Cambridge’s description of the 
above. Hamilton’s note in respect of the species reads :—‘‘ Small spiders, common 
under moss and tussock. Distributed generally over island. Date: 30.8.12. Original 
colour: yellowish white.” 
In commenting upon the Kerguelen material, Cambridge remarked—‘ The whole 
collection consisted but of five species—one of Araneidea and three Acaridea, the fifth 
being that upon which I propose to found a new genus, family, and order. At first 
sight this delicate little Arachnid gave me the idea of a Chelifer deprived of its forcipated 
palpi, but a subsequent examination with a stronger lens showed me that it possessed 
palpi of an entirely different character from those of the pseudo-Scorpiones ; and a final 
scrutiny under a still higher power led to the detection of eyes. In the number and 
