Dolomedes fimbriatus. PI. II, fig. 20.
Dolomedes fimbriatus, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt., tom. 1, p. 345.
— ~ Latr., Gen. Crust, et Insect., tom* i, p. 118.
— — Hahn, Die Arachn., Band i, p. 14, tab. 4, fig. 10.
— — Sund., Yet. Acad. Handl., 1832, p. 194.
— — Koch, Uebers. des Arachn. Syst., erstes Heft, p. 23.
— — Blackw., Linn. Trans., vol. xix, p. 120.
— — Koch, Die Arachn., Band xiv, p. 116, tab. 485, figs. 1352 and
1353.
— — Blackw., Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., second series, vol. vii,
p. 398.
— limbatus, Hahn, Die Arachn., Band i, p. 15, tab. 4, fig. 11.
marginatus, Hahn, Die Arachn., Band i, p. 15, tab. 4, fig. 12.
Length of the female, §ths of an inch ; length of the cephalo-thorax, |rd, breadth, Ts5ths ;
breadth of the abdomen, fths ; length of a posterior leg, lfôths ; length of a leg of the third
pair, l^th.
This spider ranks among the largest British species. The lateral eyes of the anterior
row are the smallest, those constituting the anterior pair of the trapezoid are the largest, and
each eye of the posterior pair is seated on a tubercle. The cephalo-thorax is compressed
before, depressed and rounded on the sides, hairy, with furrpws converging from the lateral
margins towards the middle, and a longitudinal indentation in the posterior region ; its colour
is dark-brown, a yellowish-brown band extending along each side. The falces are powerful,
conical, armed with teeth on the inner surface, and of a dark, reddish-brown colour. The
maxillae are strong, and, with the lip, are of a reddish-brown hue. The sternum is heart-
shaped and somewhat paler than the maxillae. The legs are robust, provided with hairs and
spines, and are of a reddish-brown hue, being palest underneath; the fourth pair is the
longest, the second rather surpasses the first in longitudinal extent, 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 curved, pectinated claw at their extremity. The abdomen is oviform,
densely covered with hairs, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax; it
is of a dark-brown colour on the upper part, with an obscure row of whitish spots on each
side of the medial line, which are sometimes obliterated, and a longitudinal band of a
yellowish-brown hue on each side; the under part is of a deep, yellowish-brown colour; and
the sexual organs have a dark, reddish-brown tint.
In the earlier periods of its existence, the legs and palpi of this species are of a dull-
greenish hue, the cephalo-thorax and upper part bf the 'abdomen are of a dark, olive-brown
colour, and the lateral bands are white.
The male is smaller, slenderer, and more distinctly marked than the female. The palpi
are provided with strong spines, and the radial joint projects three apophyses' from its
extremity; one, on the outer side, is terminated by several points; a strong, pointed one is
situated underneath; and intermediate between these two, towards the outer side, there is
another, which is obtuse, and is supplied with long hairs forming a dense tu ft; the digital
joint is of an oblong-oval form, convex and hairy externally, compact at the extremity, and
concave within, at the base; this concavity comprises the palpal organs, which are moderately
developed, complicated in structure, with a slender, curved, pointed spine at their extremity,
directed from the inner to the outer side, and consist of dark, reddish-brown, and yellowish
parts intermixed.
In the fens of Cambridgeshire this fine spider is of frequent occurrence. Like Lycosa
piratica, it descends spontaneously beneath the surface of water, the period of time during
which it can respire when immersed depending upon the supply of air enveloping its body.
In May the female deposits several hundred eggs in a globular cocoon of brown silk of a
compact texture, measuring three fifths of an inch in diameter, which she carries under the
sternum, supporting it there by the instrumentality of the falces and palpi.
The Dolomedes limbatus and Dolomedes marginatus of M. Hahn are immature individuals
of this species.
Genus HECAERGE (Blackmail).
Dyes unequal in size, disposed in two transverse rows on the anterior part of the cephalo-
thorax ; four constituting the anterior row, which is slightly curved backwards, are adjacent
and minute : the posterior row is greatly curved, with its convexity directed forwards ;
it comprises the other four eyes, which are large and separated by moderately wide
intervals.
Maxilloe short, strong, convex on the under side, enlarged at the base, where the palpi
are inserted, rounded at the extremity, and inclined towards the lip.
Lip small, triangular, and truncated at the apex.
Legs robust; the fourth pair is the longest, then the first, the third pair being the
shortest.
Hecaerge spinimana. PI. I ll, fig. 21.
Hecaerge spinimana, Blackw., Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., second series, vol. vii,
p. 399.
— maculata, Blackw., Lond. and Edinb. Phil. Mag., third series, vol. iii, p. 193.
— — Blackw., Research, in Zool., p. 413, pi. 3, fig. 8.
Lyccena spinimana, Sund., Yet. Acad. Handl., 1832, p. 266.
Lycodia — Sund., Consp. Arachn., p. 22.
Dolomedes lyccena, Walck., Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt., tom. i, p. 348.
Zora spinimana, Koch, Die Arachn., Band xiv, p. 102, tab. 481, figs. 1343 and 1344.
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