sternum. Maxillae directed across the labium, with an apical scopula and a definite serrula along the anterior margin. Sternum granulate, convex, slightly longer than wide, sub-oval but emarginate at the bases of the coxae, broadly obtuse posteriorly between coxae 4 which are separated by from one to one and a-half times their diameter.

Legs short, relative lengths 4.1.2.3 or 1.4.1.2, covered with fine smooth hairs but lacking spines, scopulae or claw tufts. Males of some species with a stout bristle on the distal prolateral surface of the tibia of the first pair of legs. Tarsi much longer than metatarsi. A tarsal drum present on the tarsi of both legs and palp in both sexes, situated at approximately one-fifth of the length of the segment from the base in legs 1 and 2 and one-tenth on legs 3 and 4. Trichobothria present on all tibiae, 2.1 on legs 1–3, 1.1.1.1 on leg 4, metatarsus 1–3 with single trichobothrium on median surface. Three claws, superior homogeneous, with from 4–6 small teeth reduced in number on legs 3 and 4, inferior claw with a single ventral tooth. Female palp small, without claw. Male palp with patella processes, tibia usually flattened. Bulb relatively simple, conductor sometimes absent. Abdomen oval, clothed with small smooth setae usually rising from small sclerotic plates. Epigastric plates present in both sexes surrounding the petiolus and usually extending back to the epigastric groove. A dorsal plate is often present in the male. Six spinnerets, terminal, compact. Colulus large, with two prominent setae.

Colour fairly uniform, cephalothorax and appendages reddish or orange-brown, abdomen pale yellow, grey, creamy-white or black.

The respiratory system has been described for the three Tasmanian species parva, fulva, and luteola by Hickman (1945) as lacking a posterior tracheal spiracle, book-lungs wanting, with two tracheal spiracles, one on each side in the epigastric groove from which tracheal tubes extend into the abdomen but do not pass into the cephalothorax. The respiratory system of a large proportion of the New Zealand species where the slide and KOH preparations have been studied indicates that these species have in general a similar respiratory system.

The New Zealand species occupy a similar habitat to that recorded by Hickman for the Tasmanian species. They are found in moss on the forest floor and on the trunks of trees in situations which remain moist the year round. The spiders construct small sheet webs which are similar in appearance to those of the Micryphantidae. There does not seem to be any indication of a strong seasonal variation in the maturity of the spiders as far as the New Zealand species are concerned as they may be found mature in numbers at any time of the year.

Species differentiation is based mainly on the structure of the palp of the males and the internal genitalia of the female. The males of a number of species show secondary modifications in the presence of a spine on the first leg and a tubercle or swelling on the chelicerae.

Until now the recorded distribution of this family has been Tasmania and the Auckland Islands. The material examined during the preparation of the present paper extends this distribution to include New Zealand, the East Coast of Australia, and New Guinea.

Further records for the three species described by Hickman (1945) from Tasmania are listed below, and the female internal genitalia which were not figured by Hickman are illustrated for comparison with other species.

Textricella parva Hickman 1945. Fig. 1.

Previous Record. Tasmania: Cascades.

Present Record. Tasmania: Russell Falls, Mount Field, ex moss, February 12, 1955. T. E. Woodward.

Textricella fulva Hickman 1945. Fig. 2.

Previous Record. Tasmania: Mount Wellington.

Present Record. Tasmania: Lake Dobson Road, 2,500ft. Mount Field, National Park, January 7, 1955, T. E. Woodward.

Textricella luteola Hickman 1945. Fig. 3.

Previous Record. Tasmania: Mount Wellington.

Present Records. New South Wales: National Park, August 24, 1952, T. E. Woodward; Katoombah, Blue Mountains, February 26, 1953, T. E. Woodward; Queensland: Lamington National Park, ex leafmould, rain forest, June 1, 1955, T. E. Woodward; Mount Clunie, east ridge, ex leafmould, April 15, 1953, T. E. Woodward; Mount Tambourine, east side below Eagle Point, May 8, 1953, T. E. Woodward; Mount Tambourine, ex leafmould, July 18, 1954, T. E. Woodward; Blackbut, ex leafmould, September 10, 1953, T. E. Woodward; Mt. Tambourine, north side, near Curtis Falls, May 8, 1953, T. E. Woodward; Binna Burra, ex leafmould, July 20, 1952, September 2, 1954, T. E. Woodward; Camp Mount district, Sanford Valley, October 25, 1952, T. E. Woodward; between Landsborough and Caloundra turnoff, ex leaf debris, in Casuarina and Eucalyptus, October 4, 1953, E. N. Marks.

Textricella complexa n.sp. Figs. 4–9.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.56; width, 0.50; height, 0.44 Abdomen—Length, 0.71; width, 0.54.

Colour. Carapace, sternum and abdominal scutes. orange-brown. Legs, pale yellow.

Eyes (Fig. 9). Eight: Ratio of AME: ALE: PME: PLE = 5:10:9:10. When viewed from in front the anterior row is almost straight, while the posterior row is recurved. AME separated from each other by a distance equal to, and from the ALE by one and a-half times the diameter of an AME. PME separated from each other and the PLE by a distance equal to one and a-half times the diameter of an AME. Median ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in the ratio of 27:15, wider behind than long in ratio of 27:24 Clypeus vertical, height equal to five times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae (Fig. 7). There is a strong protuberance present on the mid prolateral surface. Promargin with three pegs, retromargin with five teeth, of which the median three are fused at the base.

Palp (Figs. 4–5). General form very similar to parva.

Legs 1–4.2.3. Distal prolateral surface of the tibia of leg 1 with strong spines.

Abdomen. Both dorsal and ventral scutes present. Ventral scute large, extending over three-fifths of the ventral surface. Six spinnerets with colulus, encircled by sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.50; width, 0.21; height, 0.31. Abdomen—Length, 0.79; width, 0.63.

Abdomen bluish-grey with numerous small pale yellow patches. Chelicerae with a single tooth on promargin and five on the mid-retromargin of which the distal four decrease in size distally and are fused at the base (Fig. 8). Epigynum with two pairs of lobes at about the mid-surface of the ventral plate, under which the external openings of the genitalia are situated. Receptaculum seminis at the side of the petiolus with the fertilisation duct running straight back to the posterioi margin of the ventral scute (Fig. 6).

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes. New South Wales: National Park, ex leafmould August 24, 1952, T. E. Woodward. Holotype and allotype in Queensland Museum, paratypes Otago Museum.

Remarks. Textricella complexa is closely related to T. parva Hickman from Tasmania, but it may be easily separated by the structure of the male palp, the female epigynum and the internal genitalia. There is a bilobed structure on the midventral surface of the ventral scute of the female of complexa in place of the single curved ridge in parva, while the receptaculum extends forward so that it is situated at the side of the petiolus.

Textricella nigra n.sp. Figs. 10–13.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.56; width, 0.39; height, 0.42. Abdomen—Length, 0.65; width, 0.46.

Colour. Carapace and sternum dark brown, heavily shaded with black. Abdomen dark bluish-grey. Appendages pale brown.

Eyes. Eight. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 2:4:3:4 AME separated from each other by a distance equal to 7/10, and from the ALE by a distance equal to, the diameter of an AME. Lateral eyes contiguous. PME separated from each other and from the PLE by a distance equal to one and a-half times the diameter of an AME. Median ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in proportion of 45:27, wider behind than long in ratio of 45:33. Clypeus vertical, height equal to seven times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae (Fig. 13). Without lobes. Promargin with three pegs, retromargin with three teeth.

Palp (Figs. 10–11). Patella with a strongly denticulate, spinous projection on the distodorsal surface and a curved plate which originates from the disto-ventral surface. Tibia spatulate, without processes. Bulb simple, embolus stout, gently curved, conductor absent.

Legs 4.1.2.3. There is a slender spine on the distal prolateral surface of the femur of leg 1.

Abdomen. Dorsal scute absent. Mammillary ring present.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.48; width, 0.39; height, 0.42. Abdomen—Length, 0.65; width, 0.56.

Chelicerae with a single tooth on the proximal promargin and four on the mid retromargin of which the distal and the proximal are the largest. Epigynum in the form of a raised plate covering a broad chamber. The internal genitalia are shown in Fig. 12.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female and paratypes. Little Barrier Island, Summit Track, 2,000–2,300 feet ex moss, C. Parkin. (Holotype, allotype, Canterbury Museum, paratypes Otago Museum, Dominion Museum.)

Record. Te Aroho Mountain, 3,000–3,100 feet, ex moss on tree trunks, May 6, 1946, J. T. Salmon; Tararua Range, Tirotiro, B. A. Holloway.

Remarks. The complex structure of the patella of the male palp and the wide vestibule to the female epigynum places this species apart from all other known New Zealand species. The specimens from Tirotiro, in the Tararua Ranges, which

are all males, show slight differences from the Te Aroho and Little Barrier material in that the disto-dorsal process on the patella of the palp is shorter and the embolus is relatively longer and more slender.

Textricella hickmani n.sp. Figs. 14–19.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.56; width, 0.44; height, 0.44. Abdomen—Length, 0.58; width, 0.48.

Colour. Carapace dark reddish brown with a black patch on the posterior surface of the head. Sternum dark brown with black shading. Appendages uniform yellow brown. Abdomen steel blue with numerous small white patches.

Eyes (Fig. 15). Eight. When viewed from in front both rows appear procurved, posterior row more strongly. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 5:10:6:15. The AME are separated from each other by their diameter and from the ALE by twice this distance. Laterals contiguous. PME separated from each other by twice and from the PLE by three times the diameter of an AME. Ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in the ratio of 22:15. Clypeus vertical, height equal to six times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae. Pronounced tubercle present. Promargin with three pegs, two proximal, one distal, retromargin with from 2–3 small teeth.

Legs 1.4.2.3. Femur of leg 1 with a long slender spine on the distal prolateral surface as shown in Fig. 19.

Palp (Fig. 14). The tarsus and the bulb appear to be carried twisted back so that the bristles on the distal surface of the tarsus are projecting over the denticulate surface of the distal portion of the patella. The embolus is stout and lightly coiled with the tip resting behind the process from the patella, where it is held in place by two stout setae.

Abdomen. Dorsal scute absent. Plates at the base of hairs weakly developed. Spinnerets with sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.67; width, 0.48; height, 0.33. Abdomen—Length, 0.84; width, 0.60.

Similar in general structure to male. Chelicerae with a single tooth on the mid promargin and six (1.3.2) on the retromargin (Fig. 18). The internal genitalia are compact (Fig. 15). The external openings lead into a cup-shaped receptaculum, which is followed by a convoluted portion before narrowing to the fertilisation duct, which is twisted around the outer margin to reach the posterior margin of the epigastic groove at the inner level of the receptacula.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes. Tasmania: Mount Wellington, ex moss from near O'Grady's Falls, January 29, 1955, T. E. Woodward. (Holotype, allotype, Queensland Museum, paratypes Otago Museum, collection Dr. V. V. Hickman.)

Remarks. This species is closely related to Textricella luteola Hickman with which it is sympatric in Tasmania. It is clearly separated from luteola by the structure of the male palp and the internal genitalia of the female. I have much pleasure

Text-fig. 3.—Figs. 14–19—Textricella hickmani n.sp. Fig. 14—Retrolateral view of male palp. Fig. 15—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 16—Carapace and chelicerae of male from in front. Fig. 17—Prolateral view of male chelicera. Fig. 18—Prolateral view of female chelicera. Fig. 19—Distal surface of femur and patella, leg 1 of male showing spine.

in naming this species after Dr. V. V. Hickman, who first established the genus to which it belongs, in some recognition of the great advances he has made in the study of the spider fauna of Tasmania and Australia.

Textricella lamingtonensis n.sp. Figs. 20–22.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 9.65; width, 0.48; height, 0.44. Abdomen—Length, 0.67; width, 0.51.

Colour. Carapace dark brown with black shading on posterior surface of the head. Sternum brown with black shading. Abdomen bluish-grey with small pale spots.

Eyes. Eight, both rows slightly recurved when viewed from in front. Ratio AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 6:10:9:10. AME separated from each other by ¼ of their width and from the ALE by a distance equal to 1½ times the diameter of an AME and from the PLE by slightly more than this distance. Median ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in ratio of 9:5 and wider behind than long in ratio of 9:8. Clypeus vertical, height equal to 4½ times width of an AME.

Chelicerae (Fig. 22). Stout, vertical, without boss. Promargin with two distal pegs, retromargin with five teeth, of which three are contiguous.

Palp (Fig. 20). Patella with single typical knobbed process. Tibia flattened. Bulb simple with short stout conductor and embolus surrounded by small denticles.

Legs. 1.4.2.3, without secondary spine.

Abdomen. Dorsal scute lacking, ventral scute extending back to the epigastric groove. Spinnerets surrounded by a distinct sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.63; width, 0.46; height, 0.33. Abdomen—Length, 0.69; width, 0.60.

Colour and general structure as in male. Chelicerae with two promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Internal genitalia simple, as shown in Fig. 21.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female and paratypes, S. Queensland. Lamington National Park, ex leafmould, rain forest, June 1, 1955, T. E. Woodward. (Holotype, allotype, Queensland Museum, paratypes Otago Museum.)

Text-fig. 4.—Figs. 20–22—Textricella lamingtonensis n.sp. Fig. 20—Retrolateral view of palp. Fig. 21—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 22—Retrolateral view of male chelicera.

Remarks. Of the five species now described from Tasmania and Australia, this is the only species which shows the simple structure of male and female genitalia characteristic of most of the New Zealand species. The form of the male and female genitalia clearly separates it from all New Zealand species.

Textricella insula n.sp. Fig. 23.

Male. Measurements:· Carapace—Length, 0.46; width, 0.35; height, 0.33. Abdomen—Length, 0.75; width, 0.60.

Colour. Carapace and abdominal scutes dark golden brown, appendages yellow brown.

Eyes. Eight. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 5:20:11:20. AME separated from each other by a distance slightly less than the diameter of an AME and from the ALE by twice this distance, PME separated from each other by twice and from the PLE by three times the diameter of an AME. Median ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in ratio of 33:14, while the ratio of width behind to length is 33:24.

Clypeus vertical, height equal to six times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae. Without boss. With two pegs on promargin and five teeth on retromargin. Palp (Fig. 23). There is a distal lobe on the patella in addition to the usual knobbed process. Bulb simple with slender curved embolus, conductor straight and slender.

Legs 4.1.2.3 without secondary spines.

Abdomen. Both dorsal and ventral scutes well developed. Mammillary ring present.

Types. Holotype male and paratype male. Solander Island, ex leafmould, July 20, 1948, C. Lindsay. (Holotype male, Dominion Museum, Paratype male, Canterbury Museum.)

Remarks. Close to T. signata from Canterbury and Westland, but separated from this species by the structure of the male palp and differences in the spacing of the eyes.

Textricella signata n.sp. Figs. 24–25.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.58; width, 0.42; height, 0.33. Abdomen—Length, 0.63; width, 0.48.

Colour. Cephalothorax and abdominal scutes deep golden brown; appendages paler yellow brown.

Eyes. From in front the anterior row appears slightly recurved, while the posterior row is more strongly recurved. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 4:20:15:20. AME separated from each other by twice and from the ALE by 2 ½ times, the diameter of an AME. The PME are separated from each other and from the PLE by a diameter of an AME. Median ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in ratio of 50:20 and wider behind than long in ratio of 50:29. Clypeus equal to six times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae. Without secondary processes. Promargin with three pegs, retromargin with two teeth.

Palp (Fig. 24). Very similar in appearance to insula but with the knobbed process on patella more proximal in position. The conductor appears to be absent.

Legs. 4.1.2.3, without secondary spines.

Abdomen. Both dorsal and ventral scutes well developed. Spinnerets enclosed by sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.54; width, 0.44; height, 0.33. Abdomen—Length, 0.77; width, 0.65.

The abdomen is grey, without dorsal scute but with definite ring surrounding the spinnerets. Internal genitalia as in Fig. 25, with a sclerotic strip posteriorly. Chelicerae with a single tooth on the promargin and three on the retiomaigin.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female and paratypes. Canterbury: Lake Janet, August 1, 1949, R. R. Forster. Paratypes, same locality, August 28, 1951, J. S. Dugdale. (Holotype, allotype Canterbury Museum, paratypes Otago Museum, Dominion Museum.)

Records. Canterbury: Lake Rubicon, ex moss, November 19, 1950, R. R. Forster; Westland, Waitangituna River, ex leafmould, December 5, 1949, R. R. Forster.

Text-fig. 5.—Fig. 23—Textricella insula n.sp. Retrolateral view of male palp. Figs. 24–25—Textricella signata n.sp. Fig. 24—Retrolateral view of male palp. Fig. 25—Female internal genitalia. Figs. 26–27—Textricella propinqua n.sp. Fig. 26—Retrolateral view of male palp. Fig. 27—Female internal genitalia.

Textricella propinqua n.sp. Figs. 26–27.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.52; width, 0.42; height, 0.25. Abdomen—Length, 0.79; width, 0.52.

Colour. Cephalothorax and abdominal scutes golden brown, legs pale yellow brown.

Eyes. Six. Ratio ALE:PME:PLE = 3:2:3. The PME are small and are separated from each other by a distance equal to twice their diameter and by slightly more than this distance from the PLE. The ALE are separated from each other by a distance equal to five times the diameter of a PME.

Chelicerae. With protuberance on prolateral surface. Promargin with 3 pegs, 2 basal and 1 distal, retromargin with 3 teeth, one basal, two distal.

Palp (Fig. 26). Dorsal surface of the patella beyond knobbed process excavated. Conductor very stout and denticulate.

Abdomen. The abdominal hairs each rise from a small sclerotic plate as in most species of Textricella, but they are somewhat larger and more conspicuous in propinqua and the lateral surfaces between the scutes tend to be furrowed. Both dorsal and ventral scutes are present. Spinnerets encircled by sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.52; width 0.42; height, 0.23. Abdomen—Length, 0.73; width, 0.50.

Abdomen pale golden yellow, setal plates distinct. Internal genitalia as in Fig. 27. Chelicerae with one tooth on promargin, 4 on retromargin.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes. Cass River ex moss, May 23, 1954, J. S. Dugdale; Paratypes, Cass, ex moss, December 25, 1950, B. Wisely. (Holotype, allotype, Canterbury Museum, paratypes Otago Museum, Dominion Museum.)

Records. Canterbury: Craigieburn Stream, February 5, 1950, A. G. McFarlane; Okuku Pass, ex moss, May 21, 1956, R. R. Forster; Lewis Pass, Kiwi Valley, ex leafmould, November 14, 1949, R. R. Forster; Broken River, ex leafmould, February 5 1950, A. G. McFarlane. Westland: Lake Poringa, ex leafmould, January 26, 1954, J. T. Salmon; boundary Murchison and Buller Counties, December 3, 1949, J. H. Sorensen; Moana, ex leafmould, March 10, 1950, R. R. Forster; same locality, September 3, 1951, B. Wisely; Seddonville, ex leafmould, April 19, 1948, A. W. B. Powell; Bruce Bay, ex leafmould, from boggy White Pine forest, January 27, 1954, J. T. Salmon. Nelson: Salisbury Hut, Mt. Arthur Tableland, ex moss, February 21, 1946, J. T. Salmon. Fiordland: Key Summit, ex leafmould, January 26, 1946, R. R. Forster.

Remarks. This species appears to be most closely related to salmoni from the North Island, with which it agrees in having only six eyes, but the stout conductor of the male palp and the structure of the female internal genitalia clearly separates it from this species.

Textricella vulgaris n.sp. Figs. 28–32.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.44; width, 0.37; height, 0.26. Abdomen—Length, 0.62; width, 0.39.

Colour. Carapace and sternum and scutes orange-brown. Appendages paler brown.

Eyes (Fig. 30). Eight. When viewed from above the posterior row appears straight and the anterior row slightly procurved, from in front both rows appear somewhat recurved. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 3:11:10:12. The AME are separated from each other by a distance equal to their width and from the ALE by 2½ times this distance. The PME are separated from each other by a distance equal to three times the width of an AME and from the PLE by slightly more than this distance. Clypeus vertical, equal in height to six times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae (Fig. 31). Without boss. With three pegs on promargin and three teeth on retromargin.

Text-fig. 6.—Figs. 28–32—Textricella vulgaris n.sp. Fig. 28—Retrolateral view of male palp. Fig. 29—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 30—Carapace and chelicerae from in front. Fig. 31—Retrolateral view of male cheliceral teeth. Fig. 32—Prolateral view of female cheliceral teeth.

Legs. 4.1.2.3. Spines lacking.

Palp (Fig. 28). Patella with a strong, bluntly round lobe on the disto-dorsal surface. Conductor stout.

Abdomen. Both dorsal and ventral scutes present. Spinnerets encircled by sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.42; width, 0.35; height, 0.25. Abdomen—Length, 0.68; width, 0.41.

Abdomen without dorsal scute: ranging in colour from creamy white to dark grey. Internal genitalia as in Fig. 29. Chelicerae with four teeth on promargin and one on retromargin as shown in Fig. 32.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes, Fiordland: Lake Te Au near South Arm of Lake Te Anau, ex moss, Jan. 12–24, 1953, R. R. Forster. (Holotype, allotype, paratypes, Canterbury Museum; paratypes, Otago Museum, Dominion Museum.)

Records. Fiordland: Lake Gunn, ex leafmould, December 29, 1944, J. T. Salmon; Lake Manapouri, ex leafmould, February 6, 1946, R. R. Forster; Beehive, South side of Lake Manapouri, ex leafmould, February 6, 1946, R. R. Forster; Peninsula, south side of Lake Manapouri, ex moss and lichens, February 6, 1946, R. R. Forster; Cleddau Valley, ex leafmould, December 20, 1943, J. T. Salmon; Lake Hankerson, February 14, 1953, J. Ramsay; Cascade Creek, Eglinton Valley, ex moss, February 10, 1955, R. R. Forster, same locality, January 23, 1951, R. R. Forster; April 10, 1956, H. Walker; Caswell Sound, ex moss, April 2, 1949, R. R. Forster; Stillwater Base Camp, Caswell Sound, ex leafmould, April 11, 1949, R. R. Forster; Martins Bay, ex leafmould, January 28, 1955, R. R. Forster. Westland: Moana, ex leafmould, September, 1951, B. Wisely; Taipo River, ex leafmould, January 3, 1951, R. Jacobs; Lake Ianthe, ex leafmould, January 27, 1954, J. T. Salmon; Franz Josef, ex moss, August 2, 1953, M. Warren; same locality, April 26, 1951, R. R. Forster; Fergusons Bush, near Hokitika, ex leafmould, December 9, 1949, R. R. Forster; Okarito, ex moss, December 7, 1949, R. R. Forster; Bruce Bay, ex leafmould, January 10, 1956, W. Clark. Nelson: Flora Saddle, 3,200ft, ex moss, January 20, 1948, R. R. Forster; Flora Track, 3,000ft, ex leafmould, January 29, 1948, R. R. Forster; Leslie Valley Track, ex leafmould, January 23, 1948, R. R. Forster; Lake Hanlan, Karamea Bluff, ex leafmould, January 29, 1954, J. T. Salmon; Salisbury Opening, Mt. Arthur Tableland, ex moss, January 23, 1948, J. T. Salmon. Canterbury:· Lewis Pass, Kiwi Valley, ex moss, November 14, 1949, R. R. Forster; Arthur's Pass, 2,500ft, ex leafmould, January 14, 1951, E. W. Dawson; same locality, ex moss, December 9, 1949, R. R. Forster; McGrath's Creek, Arthur's Pass, ex leafmould, January 3, 1950, E. W. Dawson; Anticrow River, ex moss, October 15, 1952, J. S. Dugdale; Upper Doubtful River, ex leafmould, April 6, 1953, W. F. Dukes; Lake Sumner, ex moss, April 13, 1952, J. S. Dugdale; Lake Rubicon, ex moss, November 19, 1950, R. R. Forster; Lake Janet, August 28, 1951, J. S. Dugdale; Mount Cook, Governor's Bush, ex leafmould, December 1, 1948, J. T. Salmon.

Remarks. This distinctive species appears to be limited mainly to the West side of the Southern Alps, but has extended its range to the east through Arthurs Pass to Canterbury.

Textricella antipoda n.sp. Figs. 33–34.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.46; width, 0.39; height, 0.29. Abdomen—Length, 0.56; width, 0.44.

Colour. Cephalothorax and abdominal scutes deep golden brown. Appendages pale brown.

Eyes. Eight. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 5:15:11:15. AME separated from each other and from the ALE by a distance equal to the diameter of an AME. PME separated from each other and the ALE by twice this distance. Median ocular quadrangle twice as wide behind as in front, while the ratio of the width behind to the length is 6:5. Clypeus vertical, height equal to eight times the diameter of an AME.

Text-fig. 7.—Figs. 33–34. Textricella antipoda n.sp. Fig. 33—Retrolateral view of male palp. Fig. 34—Internal genitalia of female. Figs. 35–36—Textricella mcfarlanei n.sp. Fig. 35—Retrolateral view of male palp. Fig. 36—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 37—Textricella plebeia n.sp. Internal genitalia of female.

Chelicerae with a small secondary tubercle on the proximal surface.

Palp (Fig. 33). Patella with a platelike process beyond the usual knobbed process. Conductor stout and ridged transversely.

Legs 4.1.2.3 with no spines.

Abdomen. With well developed dorsal and ventral scutes. Spinnerets encircled by a selerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.46; width, 0.39; height —. Abdomen—Length, 0.69; width, 0.54.

Abdomen pale grey, setae based in small sclerites. Dorsal scute absent, spinnerets enclosed in sclerotic ring Internal genitalia as in Fig. 34.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes. Meads Landing, Lake Hawea (Canterbury Museum).

Remarks. The structure of the male palp and internal genitalia of the female indicates a close relationship between this species and mcfarlanei.

Textricella mcfarlanei n.sp. Figs. 35–36.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.46; width, 0.42; height, 0.27. Abdomen—Length, 0.63; width, 0.44.

Colour. Cephalothorax and abdominal scutes deep golden brown, legs pale yellow-brown.

Eyes. Eight. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 7:20:10:20. AME separated from each other by distance equal to half diameter of AME and from ALE by distance equal to the diameter of an AME. PME are separated from each other and from the PLE by a distance equal to 1½ times the width of an AME. Median ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in ratio of 30:18 and wider behind than long in ratio of 30:23. Clypeus vertical, height equal to 7 times diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae without tubercle Promargin with three pegs, retromargin with 2 teeth.

Palp. As shown in Fig. 35.

Abdomen. Dorsal and ventral scutes present. Ventral scute extending back to epigastric furrow. Spinnerets encircled by sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements:· Carapace—Length, 0.46; width, 0.35; height, 0.25. Abdomen—Length, 0.67; width, 0.52.

Abdomen grey. Dorsal scute absent. Chelicerae with three teeth on retromargin, one on promargin. Internal genitalia as in Fig. 36.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes. Southland: Temple River, Lake Ohau, ex leafmould. January, 1950, A. G. McFarlane. (Holotype, allotype, Canterbury Museum, paratype, Otago Museum.)

Textricella plebeia n.sp. Fig. 37.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.56; width, 0.39; height, 0.35. Abdomen—Length, 0.58; width, 0.50.

Colour. Cephalothorax yellow brown, appendages dull yellow.

Abdomen creamy white.

Eyes. Six. Ratio ALE:PME:PLE = 5:3:5. The PME are separated from each other by a distance equal to their width and from the PLE by 2½ times this width. ALE separated from each other by distance equal to 2 ½ times their width Clypeus vertical, height equal to the distance between the ALE.

Chelicerae without protuberance. Promargin with four teeth, retromargin with single tooth.

Abdomen. Setal sclerites small. Internal genitalia as shown in Fig. 37. Spinnerets encircled by a faint sclerotic ring.

Types. Holotype female and paratype female. Codfish Island, Sealers Bay, November 4, 1948, R. K. Dell. (Holotype Dominion Museum, paratype Otago Museum.)

Remarks. This species is related to both propinqua and salmoni, but the female internal genitalia are clearly distinct from either of these two species.

Textricella salmoni n.sp. Figs. 38–45.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.50:width, 0.39; height, 0.33. Abdomen—Length, 0.60; width, 0.48.

Colour. Cephalothorax and abdominal scutes reddish-brown. Appendages pale yellow-brown.

Eyes. Six. Ratio of ALE:PME:PLE 2:1:2. The ALE are separated from each other by a distance equal to twice the diameter of an ALE. PME separated from the PLE by a distance equal to the width of an ALE and from each other by half this distance. Height of clypeus equal to twice the diameter of an ALE.

Chelicera without lobes, promargin with three pegs, retromargin with four teeth.

Palp. As in Fig. 43. Patella without distal process, excavated below knobbed process. Legs. 4.1.2.3, without spines.

Abdomen. Dorsal and ventral scutes present. Six spinnerets with colulus enclosed by sclerotic ring. (Fig. 45.)

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.41; width, 0.39; height, 0.29. Abdomen—Length, 0.73; width, 0.63.

Text-fig.. 8.—Figs. 38–45—Textricella salmoni n.sp. Fig. 38—Dorsal surface of body of male. Fig. 39—Ventral surface of body of male. Fig. 40—Dorsal surface of body of female. Fig. 41—Ventral surface of body of female. Fig. 42—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 43—Retrolateral view of male palp. Fig. 44—Female pedipalp. Fig. 45—Colulus and spinnerets of female.

Abdomen pale yellow. Chelicerae with one tooth on promargin, 4 on retromargin. Internal genitalia as in Fig. 42.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes. Desert Road, ex leafmould, April 28, 1956, J. T. Salmon; paratype same locality, March 24, 1948, R. R. Forster. (Holotype, allotype Dominion Museum, paratypes Otago Museum, Canterbury Museum.)

Records. Waiouru, Morere Stream, November, 1953, R. K. Dell; Waikaremoana, Maruiana Arm, ex leafmould, December 11, 1946, R. R. Forster; Ngamoko Track, 2,300ft, ex leafmould and moss, May 9, 1956, R. R. Forster; Mt. Gnamoko,

3,000ft, ex leafmould, December 13, 1946, R. R. Forster; Mamaku Bush, near Rotorua, March 23, 1946, J. T. Salmon; Rotoehu near Rotorua, January 10, 1952, R. J. Thornton; Te Marua, ex leafmould, April 12, 1947, G. Ramsay; Horopito, ex leafmould, December 22, 1948, R. R. Forster. Wellington: Tararua Range, below Field's Hut, ex moss and lichen, February 1, 1952, B. A. Holloway; Akatarawa Divide, 1,500ft, ex leafmould, January 3, 1947, J. T. Salmon. Wairarapa: Mount Ross, ex leafmould, April 5, 1947, R. R. Forster; Turanganui River, ex leafmould, June 14, 1947, R. K. Dell.

Text-fig.. 9.—Figs. 46–50—Textricella scuta n.sp. Fig. 46—Ventral view of body of male. Fig. 47—Retrolateral view of male palp (Cascade Creek). Fig. 48—Retrolateral view of male palp (type locality). Fig. 49—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 50—Retrolateral view teeth of male chelicera.

Remarks. This species is named for Dr. J. T. Salmon who first developed in New Zealand the systematic use of the Berlese Funnel techniques by which large series of microspiders have been secured.

Textricella scuta n.sp. Figs. 46–50.

Male. Measurements:· Carapace—Length, 0.56; width, 0.44; height, 0.39. Abdomen—Length, 0.61; width, 0.50.

Colour. Cephalothorax and abdominal scutes deep yellow-brown. Legs pale yellow-brown.

Eyes. Six. Ratio of ALE:PME:PLE = 4:3:4. ALE separated by distance equal to twice their diameter. PME separated from each other by distance equal to half diameter of an ALE and from the PLE by distance equal to the diameter of a PME. Clypeus vertical, height equal to 2½ times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae without secondary tubercle. Promargin with 1 peg, retromargin with 3 teeth.

Legs. Typical, without a secondary spine.

Palp (Figs. 47, 48). Patella with a sharp, slender disto-dorsal projection in addition to the knobbed process. This projection is relatively longer and more slender in the specimens from Fiordland. The conductor is short and stout, with the dorsal surface serrate.

Abdomen. The most striking character distinguishing this species is the extension of the ventral scute back to approximately ⅔ of the distance between the epigastric groove and the spinnerets (Fig. 46). The spinnerets are encircled by a sclerotic ring.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.56; width, 0.37; height, 0.33. Abdomen—Length, 0.75; width, 0.61.

Abdomen creamy white, shaded with grey, internal genitalia as in Fig. 49. Mammillary ring not well defined. Chelicera with four teeth on promargin, one on retromargin. (Fig. 50.)

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes, Hawkes Bay, Norsewood, ex leafmould, January 27, 1948, P. J. Culleford. (Holotype, allotype, Dominion Museum, paratypes, Canterbury Museum, Otago Museum.)

Records. North Island—Taranaki: Dawson Falls, Mt. Egmont, ex leafmould, sub-alpine belt, 3,600ft, May, 1954, M. P. Beechter. Wellington: Stokes Valley, ex moss, August 10, 1952, B. A. Holloway; Wainui-o-mata Waterworks, Skull Gully Ridge, ex leafmould, B. A. Holloway; South Island—Canterbury: Cass, ex moss, December 23, 1950, R. R. Forster; Carrington Hut, Junction of White and Waimakariri rivers, ex moss, October 11, 1952, J. S. Dugdale. Nelson: Lake Hanlon, Karamea Bluff, ex leafmould, January 29, 1954, J. T. Salmon. Westland: Camerons, ex leafmould, September 5, 1950, R. A. Chapman. Fiordland: Cascade Creek, Eglinton Valley, ex moss, February 10, 1955, R. R. Forster; West Te Anau, 3,000ft, ex leafmould, February 1, 1950, R. S. Duff; Milford Sound, ex leafmould, January 20, 1946, R. R. Forster; Manapouri, ex leaf litter, September 17, 1957, B. J. Marples.

Remarks. Textricella scuta is the only known species where the ventral scute of the male extends back beyond the epigastric groove. Both the internal genitalia of the female and the male palp readily distinguish the species from all other known forms.

Textricella pusilla n.sp. Figs. 51–57.

Male. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.39; width, 0.31; height, 0.27. Abdomen—Length, 0.46; width, 0.40.

Text-fig.. 10.—Figs. 51–57—Textricella pusilla n.sp. Fig. 51—Side view of male. Fig. 52—Carapace and chelicerae from in front. Fig. 53—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 54—Prolateral surface of male palp. Fig. 55—Retrolateral surface of male palp. Fig. 56—Teeth of female chelicera. Fig. 57—Teeth of male chelicera.

Colour. Cephalothorax and legs dark reddish-brown. Abdomen black.

Carapace (Fig. 51). Smooth and shiny. Almost as high as wide. When viewed from the side almost square in outline, dorsal surface of the head region flat, thoracic region short, steeply sloping.

Eyes (Fig. 52). Eight. From above both rows appear straight but from in front the anterior row is strongly procurved and the posterior row gently procurved. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 3:8:5:8. The AME are separated from each other and from the ALE by the diameter of an AME. The PME are separated from each other and from the PLE by a distance equal to twice the diameter of an AME. The median ocular quadrangle is wider behind than in front in the ratio of 8:5 and the ratio of width behind to length is 8:6. Clypeus vertical, height equal to five times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae (Fig. 57). Retromargin with three sharp teeth, two basal teeth contiguous, promargin with two pegs.

Legs 1.4.2.3. Legs 1–3 with two (1.1) trichobothria on tibiae and one on metatarsi. Leg 4 with three (1.1.1) trichobothria or tibia, none on metatarsus. Tarsal drum proximal.

Palp (Fig. 54). Patella with a broad retrolateral lobe. Tibia with a strong dorsal spinous process. Bulb simple with a short, sharp embolus, conductor absent.

Abdomen. Oval, small ventral scute, dorsal scute lacking.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.38; width, 0.31; height, 0.27. Abdomen—Length, 0.51; width, 0.44.

Similar in general structure to male. Chelicerae with a single tooth on promargin and 4 teeth on retromargin (Fig. 56). Internal genitalia as in Fig. 53.

Types. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes. Canterbury: Creek east of Dog Hill, tributary of Hurunui River, ex moss, May 12, 1952, J. S Dugdale. (Holotype, allotype, Canterbury Museum, paratypes, Otago Museum, Dominion Museum.)

Records. Canterbury: Mount Grey, ex moss, March 27, 1951, R. R. Forster. Okuku Pass, ex moss, April 6, 1952, J. S. Dugdale; same locality, March 30, 1952, J. S. Dugdale. Wellington: Orongorongo, ex moss on slopes of the Catchpole Stream, October 25, 1954, V. J. Wilson; Little Barrier Island, Summit Track, 2,000–2,300 feet, ex moss, C. Parkin.

Remarks. The structures of the genitalia of both male and female are most distinctive and separate the species sharply from all other known species, but the general structural characters seem to indicate that the species is correctly located in Textricella.

Textricella tropica n.sp. Figs. 58–63.

Male Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.39; width, 0.41; height, 0.25. Abdomen—Length, 0.42; width, 0.29.

Colour. Cephalothorax and appendages reddish brown. Abdomen bluish black, with a number of small yellow patches.

Carapace. Finely coriaceous not as high as wide.

Eyes (Fig. 58). Eight, relatively large. From above posterior row appears straight, anterior recurved, from in front both rows appear gently procurved. Ratio of AME:ALE:PME:PLE = 2:5:5:5. The AME are separate from each other by ½ and from the ALE by ¾ of the diameter of an AME. PLE separated from each other and from the PLE by a distance equal to the diameter of an AME. Median ocular quadrangle wider behind than in front in the ratio of 12.5 and wider behind than long in the ratio of 12:10. Clypeus vertical, equal in height to three times the diameter of an AME.

Chelicerae (Fig. 63). Retromargin with two teeth, promargin with three “pegs”.

Legs 1.4.2.3. Spines absent. Two (1.1) trichobothria are present on the tibia of legs 1–3, three (1.1.1) on the tibia of leg 4. Metatarsi of legs 1–3 with single trichobothrium.

Palp (Figs. 59, 60). Patella with three processes. Conductor and embolus filiform.

Abdomen. Ventral plate small, dorsal plate lacking. Six spinnerets with prominent colulus, mammillary ring lacking.

Female. Measurements: Carapace—Length, 0.37; width, 0.36; height, 0.23. Abdomen—Length, 0.40; width, 0.34.

Text-fig.. 11.—Figs. 58–63—Textricella tropica n.sp. Fig. 58—Carapace and chelicerae from in front. Fig. 59—Male palp from below. Fig. 60—Male palp from above. Fig. 61—Internal genitalia of female. Fig. 62—Female chelicera. Fig. 63—Male chelicera.