Fam. Sphadda.
Pasithea, Black w.
P . p u l c h r a , Bl.—This extremely handsome, large, green garden-
Spider, with yellow and red markings, inhabits the low warm parts
of the Island, where it spins its web across the topmost branches of
geraniums and other leafy garden shrubs, the green leaves of which,
corresponding with its own colour, serve to conceal it from view.
I t is not very abundant, and I took it principally at Maldivia
Gardens and at Ladder Hill, but could only succeed in obtaining
females, although I made special search for more than a year to find
specimens of the other sex. In capturing this spider, I could not'
fail to be greatly struck with the extreme care it has for its egg-1
bag, or nest. I t rushes to it immediately on being alarmed, and
holds it with such tenacity as not again to relinquish i t ; and even
after a specimen has been killed it will sometimes be found with
the nest still in its grasp. An extremely beautiful figure of this
spider is given by Mr. Cambridge in “ Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” Nov.
1869, pi. xlii. f. 7. This spider was first described from examples
received from the east of Central Africa.
Fam. Lycosida.
Lycosa, Latr.
* I i . (T r o c h o s a ) d o lo s a , Cambr.—Walking amongst the ferns
and native vegetation on the high mountain ridge, in the neighbourhood
of Diana’s Peak, one cannot help observing the ground
and the hard clay banks, abundantly pierced by circular holes about
a quarter or three-quarters of an inch in diameter. On digging into
these holes they are found to he most carefully bored into the earth
to a depth of six or eight inches, and to terminate in a chamber-
excavated to about the size of a walnut; and in this chamber is
found the large brown spider, with its young family, for the reception
of which it appears to have constructed such a peculiar habitation.
A slight silky web secures the earth from falling into the
hole in some cases, but does not penetrate to the chamber with the
young spiders, which is simply excavated in the damp earth, or
clay. One of these habitations was found to contain the adult
spider with ahout forty young ones, each nearly one-third full
grown, and much in the position of a hen with chickens. The
chamber contained nothing else, not even traces of food, or the
remains of insects, which might have been devoured for food. I t is
one of the most abundant native spiders now remaining, and is
described in “ Proceed. Zool. Soc., . March, 1873.
*1,. ligata, Cambr.—A somewhat large, brown, native Spider,
with yellow body, of which I captured several specimens. An
excellent figure, and a description of it, are given in “ Proceed.
Zool. Soc.,” Nov. 1869, p. 540, pi. xlii. f. 8.^
*L . in e x o r a b i l i s , Cambr.—A brown, native Spider, very similar,
but stouter than the last, and rarely found. Figured and described
in “ Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” Nov. 1869, p. 541, pi. xlii. f. 9.
Fam. Salticida.
Salticus, Latr. Bl.
*S. n ig r o l im b a t u s , Cambr.—The large black and white “ Flycatcher,”
or “ Money-spider,” as it is commonly called. This
funny little creature receives this latter name because of a popular
superstition which the natives entertain. They say that one of
these insects approaching a person signifies that a gift of money
will follow. I t conceals itself generally behind a small web, inserted
between the window-sashes and the frame-beadings, ready to dart
out upon its prey. I t manages in a most clever manner to run
along a pane of glass, and then with a spring darts with the rapidity
of lightning through the air, a distance of several inches, upon
some unsuspecting fly. I t is described and figured in Proceed.
Zool. Soc.,” Nov. 1869,.p. 542, pi. xlii. f. 10.*
S . adansonii, Savig.— The Black “ Money-spider, or “Flycatcher,”
which occurs also in Egypt.
*S . i n e x c u l tu s , Cambr.—A small native species, with hahits
resembling those of the others. Described “ Proceed. Zool. Soc.,”
March, 1873. ' ^ „
*S . s u b i n s t r u c tu s , Cambr. (S. illigeri. Proceed. Zool. Soc.,
Nov. 1869.)—A small black, native “ Fly-catcher,” or “ Money-
spider,” found abundantly underneath the large stones on High
Knoll, and in similar places on other barren and hot parts of the
Island. Described “ Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” March, 1873. .
* Mr. Cambridge informs me that this species has since been most unexpectedly found at
Freshwater, in the Isle of Wight.