46 ARANEIDEA. 
survivors of some primitive group, suggesting a distant relationship with the Thera- 
phoside in some respects, but in others far removed from them, and indeed from 
the majority of existing forms, by wide morphological gulfs, the connecting links 
having long since passed away. 
These isolated families, such as the Filistatide, Hypochilide, Caponiide, Dysderide, 
&c., are, in short, probably nothing more than the mountain-peaks of faunal continents 
which have long been submerged beneath the waters of eliminating agencies. These 
still lift their heads above them, but their near relations have perished and left no 
trace behind. 
In other spheres of evolution we recollect that the Basque and Etruscan systems of 
speech, which can claim kindred with no existing family of language, are excellent 
instances of the same phenomenon. 
The family Filistatide can be conveniently divided into two genera, which may be 
distinguished by the following characters :— 
A. Anterior tibie and protarsi with rows of stout spines beneath. 
Protarsi i. and ii. with stout spines at the apex beneath. Sternum 
scarcely longer than broad, with two pairs of sigilla (sometimes 
obsolete). Central anterior eyes smaller than central posteriors ; 
anterior and posterior centrals almost contiguous . . . . . . Fruisrata, Latr. 
B. Anterior tibiz and protarsi without rows of spines beneath. Protarsi 
i. and ii. without spines at the apex. Sternum distinctly longer than 
broad, without sigilla. Central anterior eyes equal to central pos- 
teriors ; anterior and posterior centrals half a diameter apart . . FixisTatorpss, gen, nov. 
FILISTATA. 
Filistata, Latreille, Consid. gén. Crust., Arachn., et Ins. p. 121 (1810). 
Type. “ Espéce inédite trouvée aux environs de Marseille.” 
Lung-sacs two in number; tracheal stigmata two, situated midway between the lung-sacs and the spinners. 
Spinning-mamille six; calamistrum and cribellum present. Two pair of sternal sigilla present. 
Mandibles soldered along their inner margins, forming, with the labium and maxille, which are also 
soldered together, a haustellate proboscis. Eyes eight, in two closely situate groups of four on each side 
of a cephalic eminence. Thoracic fovea deep. 
A. Apical portion of palpal bulb shorter, strongly sinuous ; apex broader, 
almost geniculate, strongly curved outwards (inner anterior aspect). hibernalis, Hentz. 
B. Apical portion of palpal bulb longer, attenuate, filiform, only 
slightly sinuous, almost straight throughout ; apex slightly curved 
inwards (inner anterior aspect). . . . . . 0... tractans, O. P.-Cambr. 
Females. 
A. Femora and tibize of legs more slender, not clothed beneath with 
thick black hair. ee 
B. Femora and tibie of legs stouter, clothed beneath, especially i, and 
ii., with thick black hair . . . . , 
hibernalis, Hentz. - 
tractans, O, P.-Cambr. 
