hours in consequence of the spider bite.“—(Hochstetter's New Zealand, p. 440.) I am sorry that I have not been able to obtain the volume of the Linnean Society's Transactions, containing Dr. Ralph's communication. These spiders are tolerably numerous in the North, but rare in this Island. Dr. Haast, however, informs me that, according to the Maoris, Katipos have lately made their appearance in the sand-hills near Rangiora. On Friday last I received from Mr. Nottidge a spider which he found beneath a stone in the Maori Pa at Woodend, and which corresponded to the description of the Katipo, and on comparing it with a dried specimen given to Mr. Fereday as a Katipo, I found it to be of the same species. I have had no opportunity of testing its venomous properties, but I shall show in the sequel that there is very good reason for believing that it is truly poisonous. I am not aware that it has been scientifically described, or that it has received any specific name. The following is a description of its affinities and characteristics :— Fam.—Theridiidæ. Gen.—Latrodectus. Provisional specific appellation.—Latrodectus Katipo. Adult female.—Length of body ⅓-inch. Cephalothorax, broad posteriorly, constricted and somewhat produced anteriorly, flattened; caput, elevated and well defined, normal grooves fairly indicated; a transverse depression behind the caput; colour, a glossy black. Eyes, eight in number, tolerably equal in size, the anterior middle pair being slightly the smallest, arranged in two transverse rows of four each towards the anterior aspect of the elevated caput, very slightly curved forwards; eyes of anterior row distributed at equal distances, middle pair situated on a common projection directed anteriorly; external eyes situated on slight eminences directed downwards and outwards, posterior row more widely distributed than anterior row, at equal distances; middle pair sessile directed upwards and slightly outwards; external eyes on eminences directed outwards and slightly backwards; clypeus as deep as the width of the anterior row, divided by a transverse sulcus a little below the anterior eyes; lower division of clypeus tumid with a slight vertical median depression; the eyes shine with a pearly lustre, so that the posterior middle pair are plainly visible without magnification. Legs tolerably robust, of moderate length, the first pair are the longest, then the fourth, the third pair are the shortest but do not differ greatly from the second pair in length; colour black, the tarsus and metatarsus reddish, clothed with fine blackish hairs, especially the two posterior pairs; three claws, two of them pectinated. Palpi of moderate length, black and hairy like the legs, terminated by a single pectinated claw. Labium considerably broader than high, the free border forming nearly a continuous curve, slightly flattened anteriorly. Maxillæ moderately long, much inclined on the lip, convex transversely, inner