Superfamily Argiopoidea 



portions of the curled threads in focus at once when greatly 

 magnified. 



The warp consists of four threads (Fig. 250). Two of these lie 

 in the central portion of the band; they are straight and parallel. 

 The other threads extend, one along the middle of each lateral 

 half of the band, and are curled. These four threads, consti- 



Fig. 250. HACKLED HAND OF AMAUROBIUS 



tuting the warp of the band, support a sheet of viscid silk, the 

 woof. The woof has a wavy outline, but does not consist of a 

 regular series of lobes as in the Uloboridae. 



Four genera are represented in our fauna; but two of these, 

 Amaurobius and Didyna include all of the more common species. 



TABLE OF GENERA OF THE DICTYNID/F. 



A. Sternum not prolonged behind between the posterior coxae; 



cribellum divided into two parts. P. 276. Amaurobius 



\A. Sternum extending between the hind coxae; cribellum 



always undivided. 



B. With six eyes. P. 287. Scotolathys 



BB. With eight eyes. 



C. Clypeus much wider from before backward than the an- 

 terior eyes; head very convex, usually subgibbose; en- 

 dites moderately long and inclined. P. 280. Dictyna 

 CC. Clypeus not at all or not much wider than the anterior 

 eyes; head usually lower; endites shorter and nearly 

 straight. P. 279. Lathys 



275 



