Superfamily Argiopoidea 



in all directions with no apparent regularity (Fig. 322); and the 

 spider hangs in its web with its back downward. 



These spiders have eight eyes and three tarsal claws. They 

 are distinguished from other eight-eyed and three-clawed spiders, 

 in fact from all other spiders, by the presence, on the tarsus of 

 the fourth pair of legs, of a distinct comb, consisting of a row 

 of strong, curved, and toothed setae. Usually this comb is very 

 distinct (Fig. 323) ; but in some forms, as in Argyrodes (Fig. 324) 

 it is considerably reduced. 



The comb is used for flinging silk, often in a quite liquid 

 state, over the entangled prey. As the presence of this tarsal 

 comb distinguishes these spiders from all others, I propose the 

 term comb-footed spiders as a popular designation of the family. 



Fig. 323. COMB OF THERIDION TEPIDARIORUM 



Fig. 324. COMB OF ARGYRODES TRIGONUM 



It should be noted that the tarsal comb is quite distinct from 

 the calamistrum of the cribellate spiders, that organ being borne 

 by the metatarsi. 



The comb-footed spiders are also distinguished by the fact 

 that the chelicerae lack a lateral condyle, and that the tarsus 

 of the male palpus is deprived of a paracymbium, which is rarely 

 wanting in the allied families following. 



In certain genera the males possess a stridulating organ 

 (Fig. 325). This is composed of a chitinous, curved border, 



332 



