Walckenaëra hiemalis. PI. XXI, fig. 217.
Walckenaëra hiemalis, Blackw., Linn. Trans., vol. xviii, p. 632.
— Blackw., Annals and Mag. of N at. Hist., second series, vol. ix,
p. 464.
Length o f the female, ^th of an inch ; length of the cephalo-thorax, ^th, breadth, ^th ;
breadth of the abdomen, ^nd ; length of an anterior leg, ^th ; length of a leg of the third
pair, „th.
The cephalo-thorax is oval, convex, glossy, rather prominent in front, where the eyes
are situated, depressed in the posterior region, with a small indentation in the medial line ;
the falces are moderately strong, conical, armed with teeth on the inner surface, and inclined
towards the sternum, which is broad and heart-shaped. These parts, with the maxillæ and
lip, have a brownish-black hue, the falces and maxillæ being rather the palest. The legs and
palpi are of a red-brown colour. The two superior tarsal claws are curved and pectinated,
and the inferior one is inflected near its base. The abdomen is oviform, convex above,
projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax; it is thinly clothed with hairs, glossy, and of
a black hue, that of the branchial opercula being brown ; the sexual organs are prominent.
J The male is rather smaller than the female. The anterior part of its cephalo-thorax is
prominent, and there is a large indentation behind each lateral pair of eyes. The radial joint
of the palpi has a brown-black tint ; it is much larger than the cubital joint, depressed and
hairy* overlapping the base of the digital joint, and is curved outwards at its extremity, immediately
above which, on the outer side, there is a curved, pointed spine, with a process at its
base; the digital joint is oval, convex and hairy externally, concave within, comprising the
palpal organs; they are highly developed, complicated in structure, with several curved,
pointed spines at their extremity, and are of a reddish-brown colour.
Numerous individuals of this species were observed running actively on rails in meadows
and pastures near Llanrwst in December, 1836, and January, 1837.
In his ‘ Histoire Naturelle des Insectes Aptères,’ tom. iv, p. 510, M. Walckenaer has added
Walcleenaëra hiemalis to the synonyma of Argus cucullatus, from which it differs in size, Colour,
and organization. In the form of the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax and in the disposition
of the eyes, the males of these spiders are very dissimilar.
Walckenaera bifrons. PI. XXI, fig. 218.
Walckenaera bifrons, Blackw., Linn. Trans., vol. xviii, p. 634.
^ ^ 9 Blackw., Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., second series, vol. ix,
p. 464.
— Walck., Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt.,Argus tom. iv, p. 510.
On the anterior part of the' cephalo-thorax, which is compressed, there-is a large, perpendicular,
obtuse prominence, divided into two lobes at 4.he-summit by a longitudinal furrow ;
the posterior part is depressed, and tbeTrontal margin is very prominent; the falces are-small,
conical; armed with teeth on the innersurfape, and inclined towards the sternum, which is
broad and' heart-shaped; the- maxillse are inclined towards the lip, which is semicircular and
prominent at the apex. These parts have a dark-brown tint, the lip and frontal prominence
of the Cephalo-thorax being the darkest. The legs are provided with hairs; and have-a yellowish
red hue; the-two superior tarsal claws are-curved and pectinated, and the inferior one
is inflected near its base. Four eySsy situated^ on theijmterior part of the frontal prominence,
forma square; the two superior ones are seated on a minute tubercle, and the inferior ones
are the smallest of the eigh t; the other four are disposed | g pairs on the sides of the prominence,
near the front, those of each pair being contiguous. The palpi resemble the legs in
colour; the radial joint, which is much shorter than the cubital, p r o je c ts ;sm a ll, slightly
curved apophysis from its extremity, on the outer side;, the digital joint is oval, convex and
hairy externally, with an indentation at its base, on the outer side; it is concave within, comprising
the palpal organs, which are highly developed, complicated in strupturw, with a curved,
black spine at the extremity, enveloped in membrane, and'affe of'a reddish-brown hue. The
abdomen is oviform, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax; it is thinly
clothed with hairs, glossy, and of a dark-brown colour, that of the branchial opercula being
dull-yellow.
Mr. T. Glover captured an adult male of this rare spider in June, 1838, among coarse
herbage in Gwydyr Wood, near Bettws y Coed, Caernarvonshiie.
Walckenaera bicolor.
Walckenaera bicolor, Blackw., Linn. Trans., vol. xviii, p. 635.
__ __ Blackw., Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., second series, vol. ix,
p. 464.
Length of the male, A * of an in ch ; length of the cephalo-thorax, And, breadth, Ath;
breadth of the abdomen, And; length, of' an anterior'legs-'Sth; length of a leg of the third
pair, T^th.
The cephalo-thorax is oval, convex, glossy, prominent but obtuse before, with an indenta-
tiott immediately behind each lateral pair of eyes; and a slightoneinthemedialhne; the falces
are conical, armed with teeth on the inner-surface, and inclined towards the sternum, which is
broad and heart-shaped; the legs and palpi are moderately robust, and are provided with
hairs. These parts, with the maxillse and lip, have a brown hue, the lip being the - darkest
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