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THE SPIDERS OF EPPING FOREST.
The following British species of Prosthesima have not as yet
occurred in Epping Forest: P. longipes, C. L. Koch, P. nigrita,
Fabr., P. latreillii, C. L. Koch, P. electa, C. L. Koch, P. latitans,
L. Koch, P. lutetiana, L. Koch, and P. rustica, L. Koch.
Genus GNAPHOSA, Latreille.
The spiders included in this genus are very similar in struc-
ture and colouring to Drassus. Four species, all more or less
rare, are recorded as British, but none have been taken in the
Forest. The species are as follows: G. lugubris, C. L. Koch,
G. lucifuga, Walck., G. anglica, Cb., and G. suspecta, Cb.
Family CLUBIONIDAE.
[Drassidae, Cambr. List, ad partem.]
Cephalo-thorax oval (exotic exceptions), seldom greatly attenuated in front,
where it is usually broadly truncated: longitudinal impression usually present
(British and exotic exceptions): lateral impressions usually present, but often
almost obsolete. Eves 8 distinctly heterogeneous, the anterior centrals of the
diurnal and the remainder of the nocturnal type, arranged in two rows of which
the posterior is usually the longer: the figure formed by the four central eyes is
broader than long. Ocular area much wider than long, often occupying nearly
the whole width of the caput. Clypeus narrow. Fakes strong, usually vertical
(British and exotic exceptions), cylindro-conieal, always with a strong basal
protuberance: fang long, curved: fang groove oblique with several denticulations.
Labium free, slightly constricted laterally at base, a little attenuated, truncated or
even excavated at extremity, but not recurved. Sternum almost flat, usually oval
or cordiform. Maxillae flat or convex, almost always without any transverse
impression, internally straight or else somewhat inclined towards the labium,
externally often somewhat excavated in front of the point of insertion of the
palpus, which is usually rather beyond the middle. Palpus. Female: with a
terminal claw, which is sometimes simple and sometimes pectinate. Male: tibia
with an apophysis at its superior exterior angle; tarsus oval, enclosing the palpal
organs, which are neither very complex nor highly developed. Legs neither very
long nor very strong, varying in their relative lengths in different genera: coxae
almost equal (exotic exceptions): tarsal claws 2, strong and pectinated.
Abdomen varying much in different genera. Spinners prominent, situated at the
extremity of the abdomen; inferiors close together at their bases, superiors often
a little smaller than inferiors; medians usually very much smaller than the rest.
Tube tracheal openings not conspicuous, situated immediately in front of the
spinners. Female genital aperture furnished with epigynal plates which in some
cases are highly developed but in others are almost rudimentary.
The Clubionidae are spiders of moderate size usually of a
yellow, yellowish brown or dull brown colour, in some cases with
a well marked abdominal pattern, but this is the exception
rather than the rule. They spin no snare, but secrete themselves
in silken tubes beneath stones, under loose bark, in rolled-up