Superfamily Argiopoidea 



is less than one fourth and the female about one third inch in 

 length. The second and fourth pairs of legs are equal in length. 



Genus SCYTODES (Scy-to'des) 



The spiders of this genus are of small or medium size, 

 of a pale yellow or white colour, ornamented with black or 

 gray spots; the anterior row of eyes is strongly recurved; 

 the cephalothorax is high and subglobose behind and slopes 

 forward (Fig. 294). 



These are tropical or subtropical spiders, which normally 

 live under stones or rubbish on the ground, where they spin a 

 small irregular web; a few, 

 however, have extended their 

 range northward where they 

 live in buildings. Only two 



Fig. 294. PROFILE OF 

 CEPHALOTHORAX OF SCYTODES 



species have been observed in 

 the United States. 



Scytodes thoracica (S. tho- 

 rac'i-ca).— This species is not Fi s- 2 ^ scytodes thoracica 



uncommon, even in the North, where it is found in cellars 

 and closets. It measures from one fifth to one fourth inch 

 in length; the cephalothorax is light yellow, and the ab- 

 domen white, both marked with black spots, as shown in 

 Fig. 295. This spider is found in Europe also. 



Scytodes longipes (S. lon'gi-pes). — This is a larger species, 

 the adult female measuring about one third inch in length. 

 The body is yellow, mottled with brown. The brown markings 

 form a close net-work on the cephalothorax, but on the abdomen 

 the spots are more distinct; on the ventral side of the abdomen 

 there is a prominent V-shaped black mark with the apex 



306 



