Superfamily Argiopoidea 



Genus HYPOCHILUS (Hyp-o-chi'lus) 



This genus is distinguished from the genus Ectatosticta, to 

 which the two exotic members of the family belong, in having 

 a transverse labium, which is much shorter than long. It con- 

 tains only a single known species. 



Hypochilus thorellii (H. tho-rel'li-i).— This is a spider with 

 an elongate body and very long and slender legs (Fig. 231). It 

 resembles a Pbolcus in general 

 appearance. The male measures 

 two fifths inch in length; the 

 female, three fifths. The cribel- 

 lum is semicircular and undi- 

 vided. The calamistrum is 

 situated near the base of the 

 fourth metatarsus and consists 

 of long slender hairs. 



It has not been my good 

 fortune to study this spiderin the 

 field and very little has been 

 published regarding its habits. 

 But, thanks to the courtesy of 

 correspondents, I am able to give 

 the following account: 



Hypochilus constructs its 

 webs on the under surface of 

 projecting cliffs and rocks, and es- 

 pecially in the vicinity of streams. 

 Dr. W. H. Fox has sent me a 

 photograph of a typical locality 

 for this spider (Fig. 233). The picture was taken on Walden 

 Ridge, Tenn., and there were half a dozen or more webs on the 

 under surface of the largest slab. 



The web is a meshed one, and is shaped like a lamp shade. 

 Owing to the darkness of the situations in which they are built, 

 it is impracticable to procure photographs of these webs in the 

 field; but Dr. J. Chester Bradley sent me living individuals, from 

 Tallulah Falls, Ga., which 1 placed in cages in our insectary, 

 and which made webs that I have been able to photograph. 



The spider first spins a circular sheet upon the lower sur- 



Fi'r. 232. 



PALPUS OF 



HYPOCHILUS 



THORELLII 



259 



