Superfamlly Avicularioidea 



BULB OF PALPUS 

 OF THE MALE OF ERYPELMA 



In nearly all of our representatives of the family, all except 

 /ftypoides and Hexura, there are only four spinnerets; and in the 

 greater number, all except the last two subfamilies, the furrow 



of the chelicerae is well- 

 marked, being limited by a 

 row of teeth on each side or 

 by a row of teeth on one side 

 and a keel furnished with a 

 brush of hairs on the other. 

 It is only in the South 

 ■a. d or in the Far West that the 

 members of this family are 

 found living in our terri- 

 tory. But certain species 

 are of such great size that 

 they attract attention where- 

 ever they occur, are captured as curiosities, and find their way 

 into almost all collections of animals. The nests of certain 

 other species, the trap-door spiders, are also commonly found in 

 collections. 



As regards their habits the American species whose ways have 

 been observed fall into three groups: 



In the first of these groups are placed those that either choose 

 any kind of a retreat, living under stones or rubbish on the ground 

 and in the cracks of trees, or dig a very simple cell, which [they 

 line with a slight web of silk. To this group belong the bird- 

 spiders, the subfamily Aviculariinae. 



The second group comprises the burrowing species, which 

 dig tunnels in the ground of variable form and either closed or 

 not closed by a lid. Two subfamilies are included in this group, 

 the trap-door spiders, subfamily Ctenizinae, and the folding - 

 door tarantulas, subfamily Brachybothriinae. 



The third group includes those tarantulas that spin webs 

 resembling those of the grass-spider, the funnel-web tarantulas, 

 subfamily Diplurinae. 



Regarding the habits of the subfamily Hexurinae, we know 

 nothing. 



Less than forty species have been described from our fauna, 

 and there is considerable doubt regarding the specific distinctness 

 of some of the forms described. But, on the other hand, as 



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