Superfamily Argiopoidea 



and the femora of the hind legs none. The stridulating striae 

 on the outer face of the chelicerae are very conspicuous (Fig. 378). 



Four species have been described from the United States of 

 which the two following are the most common. 



Lephthypbantes nebulosus (L. neb-u-lo'sus). — Most of the 

 species of this genus are of small size; but this one is larger, meas- 

 uring one sixth inch in length. The colour is light brownish 

 yellow with gray or blackish markings. Figure 390 represents 

 the type of the markings of the abdomen; but there is a great 

 variation in the size of the spots. The ovipositor is folded back 

 under the atriolum, so as to be almost concealed except when 

 seen in profile (Fig. 391). 



This species lives in damp and shady places and is often 

 found in cellars. It makes a large, flat, sheet-web beneath which 

 the spider hangs. It is a widely distributed species, occuring 

 in Europe and in a large part of this country. 



Lephthypbantes minutus (L. mi-nu'tus). — This species is 

 smaller than the preceding, measuring only one eighth inch in 

 length, and differs in being dark gray with light markings (Fig. 

 392). The epigynum is of the same type, the ovipositor being 

 folded under the atriolum. 



This species also lives in damp and shady places and is often 

 found in cellars. 



Genus DRAPETISCA (Drap-e-tis'ca) 



There is on the front surface of each chelicera three or four 

 spines in an oblique row (Fig. 393); and on the tibia and tarsus 

 of the pedipalps of the female some larger, divergent spines. 

 In the pedipalps of the male the cymbium is furnished with a 

 large, curved apophysis at the base in addition to the paracym- 

 bium. The epigynum of the female is furnished with a large 

 ovipositor. 



Two species of this genus have been described D. socialis 

 of Europe and D. alteranda of the United States. Until recently 

 our species has been considered identical with that of Europe 

 and has been described under the name D. socialis. 



Drapetisca alteranda (D. al-te-ran'da). — The cephalothorax 

 is white margined with black, the eyes are on black spots, there 

 is a black band in the middle of the thorax above, between this 



380 



