Spiders and Their Near Relatives 



pedipalp. The first segments of the pedipalps meet on the 

 middle line on the ventral side of the head. The flexible tip 

 i f the first legs is composed of nine segments; and each of the 

 six ambulatory legs is furnished with two tarsal claws. 



This family is represented in the United States by onlv 

 a single species, the giant whip-scorpion, Mastigoprodus giganteus 

 (Mas-ti-go-proc'tus gi-gan-te'us). This species measures when 

 full-grown from four to five inches in length. Figure 14 represents 

 one less than natural size. In some parts of the South they bear 

 the local name grampus, and are greatly feared on account of 

 their supposed venomous powers; but it is probable that there is 

 no foundation for this fear; for although it has been stated often 

 that their bites are poisonous, 1 can find no direct evidence that 

 this is true, and no poison glands have been found in this order. 



This species burrows in sand under logs or other objects 

 lying on the ground; it doubtless feeds on any insects that it can 

 capture. 



Family TARANTULIDiE (Tar-an-tu'li-dae) 



This family includes the tailless whip-scorpions. These 

 resemble the tailed whip-scorpions in the consolidated condition 



Fig. 18. TARANTULA MARGINEMACULATA 



of the carapace and in the possession of eight eyes. They differ 

 in the absence of the caudal appendage and in having the abdomen 

 joined to the thorax by a slender pedicel. The flexible tip of the 

 first legs is very long and is composed of very many segments 

 (Fig. 18). 



This family is the Phrynidae of some authors; it is represented 



19 



