longitudinal; normal grooves moderate; profile line level, slightly curved at either end; clypeus vertical, in height rather more than half facial space.

Eyes on dark spots; four intermediate form a trapezoid longer than broad; anterior-centrals dark, close, much the smallest of eight; posterior pair rather less than their diameter apart, and more than twice that distance from posterior laterals next to them; hind-centrals and laterals, which are largest of the eight, and placed contiguously to each other on moderate tubercles, have a pearl-grey lustre; anterior row of eyes straight, posterior row slightly curved, convexity of curve directed backwards.

Legs moderately long, relative length 1, 4, 2, 3; i.–iv. nearly equal; yellowish-brown colour, faint olivaceous annulations; armature erect hairs, spine on tarsi of first pair, and spines on tarsi and metatarsi of hind pairs; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately strong, curving at free end; 13 close, short teeth, increasing in length, pointing backwards; inferior claw smaller than superior, bent, point directed forwards, two short close teeth pointing forwards, basal tooth shortest.

Palpi resemble legs in colour; palpal claw fine, straight, two short teeth near base, pointing forwards.

Falces vertical, prominent at base, divergent, mahogany-brown; four sharp teeth outer row, two central long.

Maxillæ somewhat roundly truncated on outer side, tapering at extremity, inclined towards lip, which is about as broad as long, prominently recurved.

Sternum cordate, pitted. These parts have a dark mahogany hue.

Abdomen oval, projects over base of cephalothorax; light-brown, small creamy spots; two blackish undulating bands extend along the dorsal surface, converging towards each other at anterior and posterior ends; sides and ventral surfaces light brown, fine hairs. Vulva yellowish-brown, semicircular, transversely wrinkled eminence, concave within; talica on posterior side looped up; projecting from above is a ladle-like apophysis; translucent yellow, reddish extremity.

The male resembles the female in form, colour, and markings, but is rather slimmer and shorter. Palpi have tints of legs; humeral joint long; cubital short; radial cup-shaped; digital oviform, tapering at extremity; convex and hairy externally; concave within, comprising palpal organs, which are complex, most noticeable on outer side, two short apophyses directed downwards; projecting at apex is a semi-transparent, concave, pointed, greenish membrane; springing from the inner side, near the articulation at the two joints, is a remarkably long, slender, curved dark process.

This species is common in damp spots beneath open manuka, under long grass, etc; spins a fine horizontal web across hollows. Pairs in October–November.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Linyphia trisphathulata, sp. n. Pl. VI., fig. 2.

Length of an adult female 3 mm., and of an adult male 3 mm.

Cephalothorax oval, moderately constricted at caput; rugulose, glossy, yellowish, or light greenish-brown; lateral margins and wide median band dark olive-green; median indentation somewhat lozenge-shaped, apex directed posteriorly; normal grooves rather faint; clypeus slightly concave, projects forwards; equals half depth of facial space.

Eyes disposed in two slightly arched transverse rows, forming a narrow oval space; four centrals form a trapezoid, longer than broad; anterior pair close, darkest and much the smallest of eight; hind-centrals largest of eight, placed on black oval tubercular eminences, rather more than their diameter from each other, and the hind-laterals next to them; lateral eyes seated obliquely on rather strong black tubercles, more than their diameter apart, and less than that space from the fore-centrals.

Legs slender, long; relative length 1, 4, 2, 3; i., ii., iv. nearly equal; colour of cephalothorax; tibiæ and metatarsi have olivaceous annulations; armature few dark hairs and slender spines; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, rather weak, slightly curved, about 10 short, close teeth, increasing in length; inferior claw smaller than superior, bent, one tooth, point behind.

Palpi have tints and armature of legs; palpal claw weak, straight, apparently no teeth.

Falces vertical, slightly divergent; pale-amber; three teeth outer row, inner small points.

Maxillæ nearly twice as long as broad, obliquely truncated on outer side, inclined towards lip, which is about as broad as long, everted, dark hue.

Sternum broad cordate, blackish-brown, pitted.

Abdomen ovoid, pointed posteriorly, projects forwards; petiolum rather long; yellowish or brownish mottled with a lighter tint; two irregular (in some examples partially composed of spots) dark-chocolate bands converge from base towards spinners; at posterior end are a series of dark angular lines whose vertices are directed forwards. Vulva somewhat circular, prominent, membranous, rugose, brownish eminence, concave within; tibia on posterior side produced into clear pale-amber coloured ladle-shaped apophyses with reddish margins, projecting from between the latter is a similar but longer apophysis.

Male does not differ essentially from female, legs rather longer, and abdomen slimmer; specific pattern in some examples

lateral margins dark oblique streaks; branchial opercula orange-red. Genital organ large, concave within; anterior membrane or labrum forms a narrow transversely wrinkled hood, centrally produced into a tapering process, directed backwards; labium large, dark, everted.

Male much smaller than female, less distinctly marked, tints darker. Actual and relative length of legs differ from females, 1, 2, 4, 3 = 14, 11, 9, 7 mm.

Palpi furnished with black hairs, have the bright-reddish hue of legs, with exception of radial and digital joints, which have a blackish-brown tint; humeral joint long, cubital and radial short, latter cup-shaped; digital joint oval, convex, and hairy externally, convexities directed towards each other; concave within, palpal organs simple lobes, terminating with a broad, concave, curved greenish membranous process, with dark margins.

(α) Cephalothorax light yellow-brown, faintly suffused with dark tint. Legs shade lighter than cephalothorax, annuli moderately marked. Abdomen dull, pale yellow-brown, spotted and marked with dark-brown, specific pattern more or less obliterated. Male has more or less light tints of female.

(β) Cephalothorax glossy brown-black. Legs clear light-brown, or greenish-brown, annulations dark. Pattern on abdomen resembles type form, but darker. Male has the characteristic dark coloration of the variety.

(γ) Marks on abdomen black, resemble type form, ground colour slaty-grey, mottled with creamy-white.

This species is common about buildings, and is to be met with on shrubs. Commences pairing about October; young rarely hatched before November. Cocoons are fabricated throughout the summer until the end of May, when mature examples—as is generally the case with species of this family—become scarce during the winter months. The female usually constructs from 2 to 4 pea-shaped cocoons about 10 mm. in depth, composed of light-brown silk, of a soft felty texture, containing from 60–350 unagglutinated spherical straw-coloured eggs. The web is of normal form—viz., a series of lines intersecting one another in different planes, and at various angles.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium veruculatum, sp. n. Pl. VII., fig 1.

Length of a mature female 4–4 ½ mm., and of an adult male 3 mm.

Cephalothorax oval, moderately constricted in front; glossy, yellowish-brown colour, suffused with a darker hue; caput convex, well-defined; indentation below eyes; thoracic fovea large, somewhat circular; radial striæ moderate; contour of profile arched; clypeus prominent, in height about equal to depth of ocular area.

Four central eyes nearly form a square; fore-pair furthest apart, dark, placed on prominent tubercles, hind-pair less than their diameter apart; laterals contiguous, seated obliquely on moderate tubercles; hind-laterals more than their diameter from posterior median eyes; fore-laterals close to anterior-centrals; side and hind intermediate eyes have a pearl-grey lustre.

Legs slender, relative length 1, 4, 2, 3 = 9, 7, 6, 4 ½ mm.; clear pale-brown, dark annuli, furnished with black hairs and fine erect bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately strong and curved, seven comb-teeth pointing forwards, increasing greatly in length and strength, apical teeth have form of free end of claw, and are directed outwards; inferior claw smaller than superior, sharply bent, free and long and fine, one strong tooth, point behind.

Palpi slender, clear pale-brown, terminal joints reddish-brown, digital joint furnished with strong black hairs; palpal claw has seven teeth, increasing in length, directed forwards.

Falces slender, vertical, brownish-amber colour.

Maxillæ long, linear, obliquely truncated on outer side, yellowish, inclined towards lip, which is broader than long, obtuse, dark.

Sternum cordate, brownish.

Abdomen broad-oval, slightly cleft at base, very convex above, pointed at spinners; clothed with nearly erect light hairs, ground colour brownish, mottled and marked with various tints of brown, buff, and purple; a purple and brown lance-like mark with buff margins extends more than half across median line; on lateral margins are a series of oblique marks; ventral surface brownish-yellow, fine hairs. Between branchial opercula extends a transverse greenish-brown eminence, semicircular on anterior side, in centre of eminence is a somewhat circular depression—the genital organ; labia on posterior side terminate in two dark, conical processes directed outwards.

The male is only 3 mm. in length, does not differ essentially in colouration or markings from female; cephalothorax more elongated; abdomen slimmer, petiolum exposed. Only marked difference in legs, little shorter. Palpi moderately long and slender, straw-coloured, except two apical joints which have an amber hue. Humeral joint long; cubital and radial short, about equal in length, furnished with bristles, latter joint cup-shaped; digital joint oviform, convex, and sparsely haired externally, convexities directed towards each other; palpal organs simple, form a glossy, rugose lobe, partially truncated, with slight dark indentation at about two-thirds of its length, tapering and roundly pointed at apex; connected with darkish indentation, and projecting slightly forwards, is a reddish margined membrane.

(a.)—Dull light brownish-umber, bright colours absent, specific marks brownish.

This species spins a web of normal form about buildings, on trees, etc.; fabricates its first cocoons in November, they have a broad-oval form, 3 mm. in diameter, greenish-brown, of a soft felty texture, suspended by fine lines, contain about 128 unagglutinated, spherical, straw-coloured eggs. Pairs about end of October.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U. Common in the district.

Theridium blatteus, sp. n. Plate VII., fig. 2.

Length of a mature female, 2 ½ mm.

Cephalothorax broad-oval, moderately constricted at caput, which is prominent; median indentation transverse oval; it is glossy, greenish-yellow, suffused with dark olive; profile line rises abruptly from thoracic junction, dips into indentation, then forms a moderate arch across caput. Clypeus prominent, slopes forward, about half facial space.

Four central eyes form a square; anterior pair prominent, dark, and rather smaller than the rest, which are flatter, have a pearly lustre, and placed on lake-coloured eminences; hindcentrals are about as far from each other as they are from the hind-laterals next to them—a space equal to their diameter; laterals nearly contiguous, seated obliquely on small tubercles, fore-pair close to anterior-centrals.

Legs long, slender, 1, 4, 2, 3; clear yellowish-brown, black annulations; armature fine erect hairs, long bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, rather weak and straight, tip bent, seven comb-teeth increasing in length and strength; interior claw smaller than superior; moderately bent, one pointed tooth.

Palpi moderately long, resemble legs in colour and armature; palpal claw short, curved, 4 long comb-teeth, forming an even line with point of claw.

Falces vertical, slender, yellowish, suffused with dark-olive, fangs short.

Maxillæ broad, somewhat rounded on inner, and obliquely truncated on outer side, moderately inclined towards labium, which is rather broader than long, somewhat pointed.

Sternum broad-cordate; these parts are dark-brown.

Abdomen oviform, broad, pointed at spinners, projects over base of cephalothorax, very convex above; ground-colour pale-purple and yellowish tints, thickly marked with small purple spots; wide central and transverse black bands, margined with pale-yellow at their extremities, form a large cross-like figure; ventral surface black, few yellow spots, spinners short. Vulva prominent brownish circular eminence, orifice large.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium pumilio, sp. n. Plate VII., fig. 3.

Length of an adult female, 1 ¾–2 mm., and of an adult male, 1 ½ mm.

Cephalothorax broad-oval; lateral marginal constrictions at caput moderate; clear pale stone-colour, rugæ scale-like; median band and lateral margins dark-olive; median indentation broad shield-shaped; contour of profile slight double arch; clypeus prominent, less than half facial space.

Four intermediate eyes are placed on oval black spots, and form a trapezoid longer than broad, whose shortest side is in front; fore-centrals dark, smallest of eight; space between hind-centrals—which, with side eyes, have a pearly lustre—is less than an eye's diameter, and the interval between each and the hind-lateral next to it more than an eye's breadth; laterals contiguous, seated obliquely on dark tubercular prominences, nearly their diameter from fore-centrals.

Legs long, slender, 1, 2, 4, 3; more transparent than cephalothorax; armature few dark hairs and strong erect bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, slightly curved from base, straightening at free end, tips bent; about 7 comb-teeth, increasing in length and strength; inferior claw smaller than superior, bent sharply downwards and outwards, apparently only one tooth.

Palpi long, slender, resemble legs in colour and armature; palpal claw like tarsal claw, 5 teeth.

Falces vertical, divergent, normal clear hue; double row of teeth, 3 outer strong.

Maxillæ somewhat oviform, apices and inner margins fringed with black hairs, inclined towards labium, which is broader than long, prominently everted, dark hue, pale apex.

Sternum broad-cordate, normal hue.

Abdomen oviform, convex above, yellowish, more or less mottled with various shades of reddish-brown—in some examples faint; three longitudinal olivaceous spotted lines converge from base to spinners; lateral margins and ventral surface marked with streaks of similar colour; in some examples dark marks on cephalothorax and abdomen nearly absent, and buff patch at posterior end of abdomen prominent. Vulva large, somewhat coniform, concave within, exterior rugose membrane has tints of tortoise-shell, with a pale median band terminating at margin in a pale amber-coloured spoon-shaped, short apophysis, directed backwards; orifice large, somewhat reniform; projecting from posterior margin of labia is a second spoon-shaped apophysis, longer and larger.

Male nearly equals female in length, cephalothorax broader, striæ more defined, lateral margins have pinkish eminences over each coxal joint. Palpi yellowish, humeral joint long, cubital and radial short, latter cup-shaped; digital joint broad-oviform, convex and hairy externally, convexities directed towards each other; palpal organs simple, series of reddish lobes, projecting beyond them on lower side is a pointed black process.

Abdomen somewhat diamond-shaped, yellowish, mottled with orange-red, buff patch at posterior end; series of olivaceous spots form median band; streaks and marks on lateral margins and ventral surface.

Mature examples, especially females, may generally be taken throughout the winter months. Until winter rains set in, these little spiders are often numerous about pastures and amongst low native vegetation in damp spots. They spin a fine horizontal web, with a small triangular mesh; one portion is drawn up to a stem or blade, beneath which the spider rests.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium calyciferum, sp. n. Pl. VII., fig. 4.

Length of an adult female, 4 mm.

Cephalothorax broad-oval, lateral marginal constrictions at caput moderate; rugulose, brownish-yellow; caput, median band and marginal zone brown; fovea large, somewhat oval; radial and caput striæ well-defined; contour of profile rises from thoracic junction at an angle of 45°, notched at median indentation, caput slightly arched; clypeus convex, in height rather less than half facial space.

Eyes about equal in size, seated on black spots; four centrals nearly form square, anterior pair furthest apart, dark; hind-pair are one eye's breadth from each other, and rather more than that space from fore-centrals; laterals nearly contiguous, placed obliquely on tubercles; more than their diameter from hind-centrals.

Legs long, slender, relative length, 1, 4, 2, 3 = 10, 7, 6, 5 mm.; yellowish, dark annuli at articulation of joints, except tarsal; femora spotted; armature hairs and numerous strong bristles, tarsi of hind pair furnished with, on under side, strong curved hairs; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately curved, tip bent, 7 teeth increasing in length and strength, 3 apical teeth, strong, in form resemble free end of claw, directed outwards; inferior claw smaller than superior, bent downwards, 1 tooth, point behind.

Palpi colour and armature of legs, palpal claw resembles tarsal claw, 6 teeth.

Falces convex, brownish-yellow, project a little forwards, one socket tooth.

Maxillæ somewhat spathulate, yellowish, inclined towards labium, which is broad, everted, nearly half length of maxillæ, greenish tinge.

Sternum heart-shaped, yellowish, margined and spotted with chocolate.

Abdomen elongate-oval, dorsal surface covered by a brown ovoid, leaf-like mark, median band strongly dentated, tapering

posteriorly, creamy color, brown marks; ventral surface light-brown. Vulva moderately prominent, circular, concave within, on posterior side are two black cone-like processes, apices directed backwards. Branchial opercula resemble yellowish cup-shaped calyces, acute apices directed towards genital organ.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium cruciferum, sp. n. Plate VII., fig. 5.

Length of an adult female 5 mm., of an adult male 4 mm.

Cephalothorax broad oval, slightly compressed before, glossy, light-brown; median band and marginal zone dark-brown; median indentation circular, striæ moderate; profile line rises from thoracic junction at an angle of 20°, then slopes across caput. Clypeus moderately prominent, in height about two-thirds depth of ocular area.

Eyes on dark spots, four central nearly form a square, anterior pair dark, seated on prominences; posterior pair rather more than their diameter apart, and closer to each other than each is to the hind-lateral next to it; laterals placed on tubercles, nearly contiguous.

Legs long, slender, 1, 4, 2, 3; first pair dark, ii., iii., iv., yellowish, speckled as far as tarsi, brown annuli at articulation of joints; furnished with few hairs and erect bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, 8 comb-teeth increasing in length and strength; inferior claw nearly equals superior in strength, 1 strong tooth.

Palpi pale yellow, slender, armature of legs; palpal claw 6 teeth, increasing in length and strength.

Falces conical, nearly vertical, chocolate-brown, few teeth.

Maxillæ long, somewhat roundly truncated on outer side, inclined towards labium, which is broader than long, rounded; these parts have a greenish-yellow tinge.

Sternum broad cordate, rugulose, stained round margins and spotted with purple-brown.

Abdomen oviform, convex, pointed at spinners; ground-colour olive-brown; on dorsal surface there is a large brownish-black, nearly ovate, indented leaf-like mark; on the fore part there is in some examples a well-defined cross, the base of which is creamy-white, margined with black, and directed forwards; remaining portions purple, picked out with whitish lines; between cross and spinners are several creamy spots throwing off oblique purple lines; lateral margins have several creamy, purple-spotted bands, and oblique dark bars; round spinners, and on ventral surface, are creamy purple-spotted marks. Vulva yellowish-brown, transversely wrinkled, oval eminence, concave within; projecting from anterior side, directed backwards, is a short tapering process, labia form; on posterior side, a dark, tumid, projecting lip, partially cleft in centre.

Male rather shorter than female, cephalothorax and abdomen more elongated, does not differ essentially in coloration or markings. Legs resemble female in colour and armature, but differ in their relative and actual length, 1, 4–2, 3, = 13, 7 ½, 5 mm. Palpi rather long, slender, clear yellow-brown, sparsely furnished with coarse black hairs; humeral joint long, cubital and radial short, do not differ much in size, slender, cup-shaped; projecting from superior surface of former, are two strong, long bristles; digital joint oval, rugulose, mahogany colour; convex and hairy externally, convexities directed towards each other; concave beneath; palpal organs moderately complex; viewed from beneath, concavity at base is covered, for about one-fourth of length of joint, by a wide membranous band, little beyond transverse band, projecting forwards from margins of concavity are two short and stout apophyses; between these is a shield-shaped eminence, produced at its fore extremity into short, dark, horn-like processes.

Species common, frequents manuka; examples, male and female, differ greatly both in shades of coloration and distinctness of specific pattern; in yellowish or brownish-creamy specimens the cross-like figure is more or less obliterated, and devoid of lake markings. Pairs about November.

Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium triloris, sp. n. Pl. VIII., fig. 1.

Length of an adult female 5 mm., and of an adult male 4 mm.

Cephalothorax oval, bright mahogany-brown; lateral marginal constrictions at caput moderate; median indentation, which is somewhat circular, and radial striæ well marked; profile rises with a slight arch to occiput, forepart of which is prominent; clypeus moderately prominent, in height equals half facial space.

Eyes form two transverse curved rows, convexity of curves directed forwards, hind-curve slight; eyes placed on dark spots; four intermediate form a quadrilateral figure, longer than broad; anterior centrals darkest and rather smallest of eight; interval between hind pair equals their diameter; laterals, which are seated obliquely on dark tubercles, one quarter of their breadth apart, are rather further from hind-centrals than the latter are from each other.

Legs rather short, relative length 1, 4, 2, 3; yellow-brown, dark greenish annuli at articulations; armature erect hairs, few bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately strong, curved, 9 comb-teeth increasing in length and strength; inferior claw rather stout, bent, 2 close teeth, basal small.

Palpi resemble legs in colour and armature; palpal claw strong, curved, 7 comb-teeth directed forwards, forming an even line with point of claw.

Falces prominent at base, vertical; light red-mahogany colour; one strong tooth near extremity.

Maxillæ obliquely truncated on outer side, inclined towards labium, which is somewhat oval, more than half length of maxillæ, everted; these parts have a brownish tint, labium darkest.

Sternum broad cordate, rugulose, chocolate-brown.

Abdomen oval, moderately convex above, projects over base of cephalothorax; brownish-black, sparingly clothed with fine light hairs; encircled and centrally divided with creamy-coloured disjointed bands; marginal bands extend from spinners along ventral surface to branchial opercula. Genital organ vermiform, pendulous, directed backwards; pale amber-colour, extremity reddish; projects from much wrinkled integument of a darker hue.

Male shorter and slimmer than female, resembles her in specific pattern, colour, and armature; caput rises higher, projects further forwards, causing hind and especially the fore-row of eyes to form a stronger curve.

Legs rather longer than female's, i.–iv., ii.–iii., nearly equal, strong black hairs.

Palpi mahogany-colour; humeral joint long; cubital and radial short, latter cup-shaped, greenish; digital joint oval, convex, and hairy externally, convexities directed towards each other; palpal organs moderately complex, lobe-like, posterior half dark; projecting at extremity is a broad black, concave, sharply pointed process.

Taken on shrubs; cocoons two or more, whitish, globular, 4 mm. in diameter, suspended by a short silken line to inferior surface of leaf; about 15 light-coloured spherical eggs, not agglutinated together; web normal intricate lines. Pairs in November.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium squalide, sp. n. Plate VIII., fig. 2.

Length of an adult female, 5 mm.

Cephalothorax oval, moderately compressed at caput, glossy red-mahogany; median fovea narrow-oval, deep, nearly length of thorax; caput and radial striæ well-marked; contour of profile rises gradually from thoracic junction, forming a slight arch across caput; clypeus vertical, convex, indentation below eyes; height equals depth of ocular area.

Four central eyes form a trapezoid whose shortest side is between anterior pair, which are smallest of eight; posterior pair less than their diameter apart, rather more than their breadth from hind-laterals; posterior centrals and side eyes have a pearl-grey lustre, latter largest of eight, close, placed obliquely on moderate tubercles.

Legs moderately long and slender; 4, 1, 2, 3, iv. pair slightly exceeds i. in length; colour yellowish-amber; armature erect black hairs, few fine bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately strong and curved, 7 rather short close teeth, increasing in length; inferior claw smaller than superior, bent downwards and forwards, two teeth, basal shortest and stoutest.

Palpi rather long and slender, resemble legs in colour and armature, strong hairs on digital joint; palpal claw rather weak, 5 or 6 short teeth.

Falces prominent at base, vertical, divergent, rugulose, bright red-mahogany, 3 strong teeth.

Maxillæ long, linear, somewhat rounded, with lip-like indentation at apex (apparently caused through pressure of fangs), inclined towards labium, which is broader than long, everted; these parts have a bright red-mahogany colour.

Sternum cordate, pitted, dull mahogany-colour.

Abdomen ovoid, yellowish-brown, clothed with light hairs. Vulva yellowish brown, transversely wrinkled, somewhat oblong, convex eminence, concave within, projecting posteriorly from anterior side there is a yellowish amber-coloured protuberant lip, with incurved margins.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium setiger, sp. n. Plate VIII., fig. 3.

Length of a mature female, 3 mm.

Cephalothorax oval, moderately constricted forwards, caput prominent in front; rugulose, glossy brown-black; median indentation semicircular, convexity directed backwards; normal grooves moderate; profile contour forms a slight arch across caput, roundly curved posteriorly; clypeus projects prominently forwards, pointed; indentation below eyes, in height nearly equals depth of ocular area.

Eyes large, four centrals form a square; anterior pair dark, placed somewhat obliquely on angular projections; posterior row, rather less than their diameter apart, form a slight curve, convexity of curve directed backwards; lateral eyes, which have the pearly lustre of hind-centrals, are contiguous, and seated obliquely on reddish-brown tubercles, space between them and fore-centrals rather less than interval between latter pair.

Legs moderately long and strong, relative length, 1, 4, 2, 3; i. longest, ii. nearly equals iv.; pellucid-grey, well-defined black-brown annulations; armature strong hairs, few bristles. Superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately curved, 7 comb-teeth, increasing in length and strength; inferior claw fine, bent, apparently no teeth.

Palpi resemble legs in colour and armature, palpal claw strong, curved, 5 long comb-teeth forming an even line with point of claw.

Falces tapering, project slightly forwards, reddish-brown.

Maxillæ, acute oval, inclined towards lip, which is nearly twice as broad as long; everted, one-third length of maxillæ.

Sternum broad cordate; these parts are chocolate-brown, rugulose.

Abdomen broad oval, strongly convex above, rises somewhat abruptly from thoracic junction; sparingly clothed with strong erect hairs and bristles; ground colour greenish-brown, slightly suffused with dull-pink, mottled with brown-black; median band faint, tapers towards spinners, black marks at base; on lateral margins are four oblique brown-black bars, streaked on posterior side with pink, converge towards spinners, which are short. Vulva somewhat conical, reddish-black, prominent eminence, orifice circular, large.

Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium zantholabio, sp. n. Plate VIII., fig. 4.

Length of an adult female, 4 mm.

Cephalothorax broad oval, constricted anteriorly; light amber-colour; median band brown, lateral margins faintly mottled with a similar hue; median indentation broad, U-shaped, large, moderately depressed; contour of profile rises at an angle of 40°, then slopes slightly to ocular area; clypeus prominent, in height about half facial space.

Four intermediate eyes form square, anterior pair dark; posterior pair less than their diameter apart, about that space from side-eyes, which are smallest of eight, contiguous, placed obliquely on small tubercles.

Legs moderately long and slender, relative length 1, 4, 2, 3; have hue of cephalothorax, rather faint brown annulations; armature dark hairs and erect bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, curved, 5 long comb-teeth; inferior claw moderately strong, free and fine, bent, 1 tooth, small point behind.

Palpi resemble legs in colour and armature, palpal claw curved, 7 long comb-teeth, forming an even line with point of claw.

Falces project slightly forwards, moderately slender, dark amber-colour, about 3 blunt teeth.

Maxillæ long, linear, roundly truncated on outer side, moderately inclined towards labium, which is nearly twice as long as broad, somewhat pointed; these parts have a reddish-amber hue, suffused with brown.

Sternum cordate, yellowish, margined with chocolate.

Abdomen oviform, convex above, yellowish-brown, suffused with dull pink; a broad, somewhat spathulate, irregularly pinnatifid median band, dark brown at basal end, lighter and spotted at truncated apex, extends two-thirds across the abdomen; lateral margins spotted and streaked; transverse

dark bands on ventral surface. Anterior portion of vulva consists of a reddish-black oblong, transverse, tapering eminence, circular fovea at either end, projecting upwards; on posterior side is a large, broad, clear yellow incurved lip.

Web consists of irregular lines; cocoons ovoid, yellowish-brown, undulations shaded with brown, loose felty texture; contain about 40 pale straw-coloured spherical eggs, not agglutinated together, but wrapped in a second delicate soft silky cocoon.

Taken in March; Cliffs, North Shore, Auckland, A.T.U.

Theridium sericum, sp. n. Pl. VIII., fig. 5.

Length of a mature female 9 mm., and of immature male 5 mm.

Cephalothorax broad-oval, glossy, yellowish-brown, moderately constricted in front; median fovea circular, radial and caput striæ moderately marked; contour of profile rises at an angle of 45° from thoracic junction to verge of median indentation, then slopes across caput. Clypeus convex, prominent, in height more than half facial space.

Eyes disposed in two transverse curved rows, forming a narrow oval space; four intermediate eyes nearly form a square; anterior pair darkest and rather smallest of eight; posterior pair rather less than their diameter apart, and more than that interval between them and lateral eyes next to them; side eyes contiguous, placed obliquely on small black tubercles, have the pearly lustre of hind-centrals.

Legs moderately long and strong, 1, 4, 2, 3 = 18, 15, 14, 10 mm.; reddish-brown; armature fine dark hairs and slender bristles; superior tarsal claws, 1st pair, moderately curved, free and thickening a little, tip bent inwards, 7 comb-teeth rapidly increasing in length and strength, strong teeth have somewhat the form of free end, directed forwards; inferior claw sharply bent, 2 teeth differing in size, close together.

Palpi resemble legs in colour and armature, palpal claw resembles superior tarsal claw, 7 teeth.

Falces convex, tapering, directed moderately forwards, few teeth, bright light-mahogany colour.

Maxillæ long, pointed, much inclined towards labium, which is somewhat oval, apex truncated, less than half length of maxillæ; these organs have a reddish-brown hue, apices light.

Sternum broad cordate, yellowish-brown, few dark hairs.

Abdomen oviform, convex above; chocolate-colour, series of four or five creamy-brown angular bars on dorsal surface, few fine dark hairs, abdomen has a soft silky lustre. Vulva on anterior side forms a low wrinkled, membranous arched hood, centrally produced into a yellowish spathulate process, directed backwards; moderately concave within, yellowish; oblong olivaceous mark in centre.

Labium rather less than half length of maxillæ, dark-brown, apex round, everted, pale.

Sternum oval, yellowish-brown.

Abdomen elongate-oviform, projects over base of cephalothorax; brown, clothed with bright yellow and erect black hairs; median band, broad-lanceolate, margined with dark-brown, on the basal half there are a series of angular brown marks, apices directed forwards; between latter and spinners, which are long, there is a tapering brown mark; ventral surface light-brown, two dark lines converge posteriorly from bronchial opercula.

Genital eminence moderately prominent, convex above, concave within, orifice oval, projecting from above is a tapering process directed backwards.

Male slightly exceeds female in length, resembles her in form and colouring, specific pattern more defined; median band of cephalothorax formed of yellow and bright orange-red lanceolate hairs, in some examples nearly covering ocular area, tapering towards and bifurcating at thoracic junction; marginal zone fringed with yellow hairs. Anterior eyes, like those of females, are encircled with an iris of golden orange-red hairs. Clypeus thickly bearded with short pale-yellow hairs.

Legs differ from female's in relative, 1, 2, 4, 3, and exceed hers in actual length; first pair red-mahogany colour, suffused with brown, hind pairs pale-brown, darker and faintly annulated towards extremities; outer tarsal claw, 1st pair, 1 strong curved tooth near centre; inner claw 19 teeth, 18 small, close teeth. increasing slightly in length, terminal tooth long, curved.

Palpi moderately long, strong black hairs; humeral joint greenish-brown, projects a short, curved black spine on upper side near its articulation with cubital joint; humeral rather exceeds cubital and radial joints in length, the latter is one-third shorter than cubital; a black curved, horn-like apophysis projects on outer side, at articulation with digital joint, which is a rather narrow oval, has red-mahogany hue of former joints, convex above, convexities directed towards each other; palpal organs simple, inferior surface somewhat pointed bulb, a reddish beaded band extends from base beneath upper fold, curving upwards near apex.

Captured in June beneath old bags, Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Attus zanthofrontalis. Plate VIII., fig. 9.

Salticus zanthofrontalis, A.T.Ur. “Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” 1884.

Length of an adult female, 4–5 mm.

Female does not differ much from male, abdomen larger, first pair of legs shorter, relative length 1–4, 2–3; femora, 1st pair, tumid, genua and tibiæ strong, nearly equal in length, metatarsi about two-thirds length of tibiæ, tarsi rather shorter; tarsal

claws moderately strong, curved, inner claw has 7 small close teeth, outer none; hairs of claw-tuft somewhat spathulate.

Palpi resemble legs in colour, armed with hairs and bristles.

Vulva convex, orifice transverse oval, margin of hood, or labrum, produced into a short pointed process, directed backwards; labium prolonged into a reddish pointed process, directed forwards, longer than upper process.

Var. hirta., nov.

This variety is more thickly clothed with hairs, especially in female examples. Cephalothorax brown-black, covered with yellowish and erect black hairs, white patch usually behind posterior lateral eyes. Abdomen clothed with similar hairs; series of white, somewhat angular marks, apices directed forwards, extend along median line; white oblique streaks on lateral margins. Dorsal marks on males, which are less hairy, take the form of spots. Legs, more especially in male examples, furnished with numerous long flexible erect hairs.

Both forms numerous about sunny clay slopes. Te Karaka, Auckland, A.T.U.

Attus saxatilis, sp. n. Pl. VIII., fig. 10.

Length of an adult female, 5–6 mm.

Cephalothorax rather longer than broad, rounded posteriorly, sides abrupt, glossy dark-brown, caput lighter; coarse black hairs about ocular area; median fovea large but shallow; contour of profile rises at an angle of 45°, then slopes across caput, which is moderately prominent in front. Clypeus furnished with long white hairs directed centrally, in height less than diameter of a fore-lateral eye.

Ocular area occupies rather more than one-third of cephalothorax, broader than long; anterior row of eyes sensibly curved, slightly parted, laterals nearly half their diameter from intermediate pair, posterior laterals form a transverse line with fovea, are rather smaller than anterior laterals, interval between them rather less than that between the latter pair; irides encircling fore-row whitish; small laterals equidistant between fore and hind-laterals.

Legs short, slight, relative length 4–3, 1–2; yellowish-brown; armature hairs, spines normal; tarsal claws, 1st pair, sharply curved, about 13 short, close teeth on inner claw, 2 coarse teeth on outer; claw-tuft strong, hairs linear.

Palpi yellowish-brown, long light hairs.

Falces short, vertical, greenish-brown, fangs short.

Maxillæ as broad as long, truncated on inner side; pale straw-colour, slightly suffused with olive-green.

Labium broad-oval, nearly half length of maxillæ, similar tints.

Sternum oval, black, light hairs.