Spiders and Their Near Relatives 



of the first three pairs of legs (Fig. 51). It is to this fact that 



the subordinal name Mecostethi refers, being derived from the 



Greek words mekos, length, and stcthos, 



breast. The hind tarsi are either furnished 



with two claws or with a compound claw; 



the tibia and tarsus of the pedipalps are 



more or less depressed; and the hind legs 



are usually the longest. This suborder is 



called the Laniatores (Lan-i-a-to'res) by 



some writers. 



The suborder Mecostethi is repre- 

 sented in our fauna by two families, which 

 can be separated as follows: 



—s. 



Fig. si. VENTRAL 



ASPECT IF CYNORTA 



SAYI s, spiracle 



A. Hind coxae united to the first abdominal segment at the base, 

 but free at the apex; the spiracles are obscure. P. 61. 



Phalangodid/e 



AA. Hind coxae united to the first abdominal segment throughout 



their length; the spiracles are distinct. P. 59- Cosmetid^e 



Family COSMETIDiE (Cos-met'i-dae) 



The second pair of legs are without endites. The pedipalps 

 are shorter than the body, with the tibia and tarsus depressed, 

 and with the tarsal claw about half as long as the tarsus. The 

 pedipalps are usually appressed to the face so as to fit over the 

 chelicerae. The eye-tubercle is low, without coniform tubercles. 

 The spiracles are exposed. 



Genus CYNORTA (Cy-nor'ta) 



The genus Cynorta, our only representative of the Cosmetidae, 

 is a subtropical genus. Three species belonging to it have been 

 found in the warmer portions of the United States. These can 

 be separated as follows: 



A. With a pair of prominent lobes near the hind end of the cara- 



paceeach having a prominent acute spine. Cynorta ornata 



AA. Without prominent lobes near the hind end of the carapace. 



B. With two small rounded tubercles near the hind end of 



the carapace. Cynorta sayii 



59 



