Superfamily Argiopoidea 



eyes is strongly recurved (Fig. 291), and the cephalothorax is 

 low or depressed (Fig. 292); the palpus of the male is described 

 on page 109. They are found under bark of dead trees and under 

 stones on the ground. Simon states that the webs which they 

 spin are quite large and very irregular, resembling those of Filis- 

 tata; and that the threads have the appearance of those spun 

 by spiders having a cribellum and calamistrum. He even sug- 

 gests that the colulus (Fig. 142, p. 136) may play a role analogous 

 to that of the cribellum. I have observed our species only in 

 winter; at this season I found both of them common under stones 



Fig. 291. 

 EYES OF LOXOSCELES 



Fig. 292. 

 PROFILE OF CEPHALO- 

 THORAX OF LOXOSCELES 



Fig. 293. LOXOSCELES RUFESCENS 



in Texas. The spiders were frequently found in a silken sac, 

 which may be a retreat for the winter, like that spun by the 

 jumping spiders. The silk of which these sacs are made appears 

 to be hackled. 



There are only two species in our fauna, both of which are 

 restricted to the South. 



Loxosceles rufescens (L. ru-fes'cens). — This is the larger 

 species, measuring one third inch or more in length (Fig. 29}). 

 The second legs are longer than the fourth. .Montgomery ('08) 

 states that this species makes a large and irregular web beneath 

 logs and stones, usually in drier situations; and he describes the 

 egg-sac, which is discoidal, with diameter longer than the spider's 

 body. It is sessile, attached to the snare. 



Loxosceles unicolor (L. u'ni-col'or). — In this species the male 



305 



