THE COBWEB SPIDERS. THERIDID.E. 



Mostly small spiders which have their eyes in a close bunch on their foreheads, somewhat distant 

 from their mouth. Their legs are long and slender; the first and second, or the first and fourth pairs being 

 the longest. Their nets consist mostly of a horizontal bag under which they watch, hanging by their 

 legs, back downwards. This bag is connected with all near objects by threads running irregularly in all 

 directions. The net often occupies a considerable space in which they suspend their egg-sacks. Some 

 kinds live in the net by pairs. 



The family is very large and has been divided into many genera. It contains our smallest spiders. 



Theridium. Breast part as broad as long. Body part round, globular. Legs long and 

 slender, covered with short hair. 



Mimetus. Breast part narrower than long. Body part widest in front, pointed behind. Legs 

 long, beset with spines. 



Era. Breast part highest in the middle. Body part egg-shaped. Legs beset with spines. 



Steatoda. Breast part broader than long. Body part oval, smooth and shiny. Legs shorter 

 and stouter than Theridiitm. 



Asagena. Like Steatoda, but body hairy and flattened. 



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