Theridion s t ic t u m . PI. XIV, fig. 126.
Theridion stictum, Cambridge, Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., third series, vol. vii,
p. 432.
Length of the female, gth of an in ch ; length of the cephalo-thorax, ^th, breadth, ^ th;
breadth of the abdomen, ^th j length of an anterior leg, ^ths; length of a leg of the third
pair, ^th.
The cephalo-thorax is oval, convex, glossy, prominent in the cephalic region, and strongly
marked with numerous punctures; the falces are small, conical, and vertical; the maxillae
are obliquely truncated at the extremity, on the outer side, and are greatly inclined towards
the lip, which is semicircular; the sternum is broad, heart-shaped, glossy, and strongly
punctated. These parts are of a very dark-brown colour, approaching to black. The legs are
short, slender, provided with hairs, and have a red h u e ; the first pair is the longest, then
the fourth, and the third pair is the shortest; each tarsus is terminated by three claws; the two
superior ones are curved and pectinated, and the inferior one is inflected near its base. The
palpi resemble the legs in colour, and have a minute, curved claw at their extremity. The
eyes are disposed on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax in two transverse rows; the four
intermediate ones form a square, those of the anterior pair, which are seated on a protuberance,
being rather the largest and darkest of the eight; the eyes of each lateral pair are
placed obliquely on a tubercle, and are contiguous. The abdomen is short, broad, thinly
clothed with hairs, glossy, very convex above, and projects greatly over the base of the
cephalo-thorax; it is of a yellow-brown colour, the medial line of the upper part and a fine
line curved round its anterior extremity being somewhat paler; the sides and a conspicuous
spot on each side of the upper part of the anterior extremity have a dark-brown hue, and a
broad, dark-brown band, comprising the spinners, which have a yellow-brown hue, extends
along the middle of the under part.
Immature females of this Theridion were captured by the Rev. O. P. Cambridge, on
Bloxworth Heath, in the autumn of 1860.
Theridion inornatum. PI. XIV, fig. 127.
Theridion inornatum, Cambridge, Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., third series, vol.
vii, p. 433.
Length of the female, ^th of an inch; length of the cephalo-thorax, ^th, breadth, ^th;
breadth of the abdomen, ^ th ; length of an anterior leg, |th ; length of a leg of the third
pair, ^th.
The legs are moderately robust, and provided with hairs; the first pair is the longest,
then the fourth, and the third pair is the shortest ; each tarsus is terminated by three claws ;
the two superior ones are curved and pectinated, and the inferior one is inflected near its base ;
the palpi are short, and have a small, curved, pectinated claw at their extremity ; the cephalo-
thorax is small, oval, convex, glossy, very prominent in the cephalic region, and has a slight
indentation in the medial line ; the falces are short and vertical ; and the maxillæ are somewhat
pointed at the extremity and inclined towards the lip. These parts are of a yellow-red
colour, with the exception of the tibiæ of the first and second pairs of legs, the extremity of
the tibiæ of the fourth pair, and the narrow, lateral margins of the cephalo-thorax, which
have a dark-brown hue. The lip is semicircular, and the sternum is convex and heart-
shaped. These parts are of a brown colour, tinged with red. The eyes are disposed on the
anterior prominence of the cephalo-thorax in two transverse rows ; the four intermediate ones
form a square, those of thé anterior pair, which are seated on a strong protuberance, being
the largest and darkest of the eight; the eyes of each lateral pair are placed obliquely on a
small tubercle, and are contiguous. The abdomen is oviform, glossy, convex above, projecting
over the base of the cephalo-thorax, and is of a brown-black colour ; the sexual
organs have a small, circular, reddish-brown orifice ; the branchial opercula are of a red-
brown hue; and that of the spinners is pale, yellow-brown. Some individuals have the
abdomen of a brown colour, slightly tinged with yellow.
The sexes are similar in colour, but the male is smaller than the female, and the anterior
part of its cephalo-thorax is more prominent. The cubital and radial joints of its palpi are
short, and the latter is somewhat produced at its extremity, towards the inner side ; the
digital joint is oval, convex and hairy externally, concave within, comprising the palpal organs,
which are highly developed and prominent ; these organs and the joint with which they are
connected are of a red-brown colour.
Adult and immature males and females of this species were captured in the autumn of
1859 and the summer of 1860, in Portland, by the Rev. O. P. Cambridge.
Theridion fuscum.
Theridion fuscum, Blackw., Linn. Trans., vol. xviii, p. 626.
__ .W> > Blackw., Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., second series, vol. viii,
p. 445.
Length of the female, t f h of an inch; length of the cephalo-thorax, And, breadth, Ath;
breadth of the abdomen, Ath; length of an anterior leg, Ath; length of a leg of the third
pair, Ath.
This spider is of a dark, reddish-brown colour, the abdomen being marked with obscure
spots of a deeper shade. The cephalo-thorax is glossy, compressed before, rounded on the
sides, which are marked with furrows, very convex immediately behind the eyes, depressed m
the posterior region, with a large indentation in the medial line. The four intermediate eyes
form a trapezoid, whose anterior side is much the shortest, and those of each lateral pair are
contiguous, and placed obliquely; the posterior eyes of the trapezoid are the largest, and the