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THE SPIDERS OF EPPING FOREST.
being very close together. Integument more or less
coriaceous, usually furnished with obtuse or clavate
bristles .. .. .. .. Oxyptila
Posterior row of eyes moderately curved, equidistant.
Integument not at all coriaceous, furnished with
simple hairs .. .. .. .. Diaea
Genus XYSTICUS, C. L. Koch.
Crab-spiders of moderate size, with distinct patterns upon
both cephalo-thorax and abdomen, usually of various shades of
brown, reddish brown, and buff. The males are far smaller than
the females, with proportionally longer legs, and are usually of
a much darker hue. The palpi of the males are very short, and
the tarsal joints rather large. The specific characters in this sex
are very distinct, but the females are not by any means easily
identified. The genus is a large one, but is very badly represented
in Epping Forest.
Xysticus cristatus, Clerck. Common in all parts of the
Forest, amongst grass, heather, and other low herbage.
Xysticus pini, Hahn. A female which appeared to belong
to this species was taken at Theydon Bois.
Xysticus erraticus, Bl. A female from Loughton is the
only record.
The species of Xysticus found in Britain but not as yet
recorded from the Forest are as follows:—X. lanio, C. L. Koch;
X. robustus, Hahn; X. brevipes, Bl.; X. sabulosus, Hahn; X. ulmi,
Hahn; X. luctuosus, Bl.; X. luctator, L. Koch; X. kochii, Thor.; X.
bifasciatus, C. L. Koch; and X. lynceus, Latr. (a somewhat
doubtful species).
Genus OXYPTILA, Simon.
Curious little crab-spiders, usually of dark colours, reddish-
brown, chocolate and yellowish-brown being the prevailing tints.
The integument is often somewhat coriaceous and is usually
furnished with peculiar obtuse or even clavate bristles. Most of
the species are found upon the ground amongst herbage,
especially in moist localities, well-watered meadows being
favourite habitats. A few species may be occasionally beaten
from trees.
Oxyptila praticola, C. L. Koch. Beaten from trees in
various parts of the Forest. Not at all uncommon.
Oxyptila simplex, Cambr. A couple of females, apparently