OF WASHINGTON. 193 



the sternum is about as broad as long, and pointed between the hind coxae ; 

 the legs are of moderate length, clothed with fine hair, and some long 

 bristles; the abdomen is nearly twice as long as broad, rather convex 

 above, rounded at base. The epigynum shows two oval dark cavities 

 about their diameter apart, from the inner end of which extends a dark 

 line backward and outward. The male palpus has the tibiae short with a 

 small sharp-pointed projection at tip above; the bulb is crossed obliquely 

 by two prominent dark tubes; the slender style projects beyond the 

 tarsus and then curves backward for a ways ; in a side view the middle 

 portion of the bulb projects much more than other parts ; the tarsus is 

 short, and seen from above rather triangular in outline. 



Several specimens from Shreveport, La., Holly Springs, Miss., 

 and Brazos Co., Texas. 



Mr. Ashmead asked as to the comparative richness of the spider 

 fauna of that region. Mr. Banks replied in general terms show 

 ing that the Attidae, for example, are more numerous in species 

 in the south than in the north. He believes that 400 species 

 could be collected in time in such a locality as Shreveport. He 

 had collected 300 species in the vicinity of Ithaca, N. Y., but in 

 northern localities there are many of the minute rock-inhabiting 

 forms which are absent in the south. 



Mr. Schwarz spoke of the inequality in faunistic value of dif 

 ferent groups of insects, instancing especially the comparatively 

 slight value which the order Diptera seems to possess in this re 

 spect, and asked Mr. Banks' opinion of the value of the spiders. 

 Mr. Banks replied that, in his opinion, the spiders are one of 

 the best groups for the study of geographical distribution. They 

 are wingless and cannot pass natural barriers. He spoke in gen 

 eral of the geographical distribution of the spiders of the United 

 States, showing that the regions mapped by Dr. Merriam are, in 

 the main, substantiated by this group. Mr. Ashmead said that 

 while theoretically the spiders should be definitely restricted in 

 distribution, practically he knew of so many wide-spread species 

 that he doubted the very great faunistic value of the group. He 

 referred to the possibility of the gossamer spiders being carried 

 for very long distances by the wind, and Mr. Schwarz also stated 

 that spiders are especially apt to be distributed by the hand ot 

 man. Mr. Schwarz further said that on his return to Washing 

 ton from Texas various spiders were found in his trunk, and asked 



