Superfamily Argiopoldea 



In the Araneinae, as in the two preceding and in the following 

 subfamilies, the epigastric plates are marked by transverse fur- 

 rows (Fig. 455), and the lateral condyle of the chelicerae is dis- 

 tinct. But these spiders differ from the two preceding subfamilies 

 in having the legs relatively shorter: and in having, except in a 



few cases, the metatarsi and tarsi 

 together not longer than the patellae 

 and tibiae. They differ from the 

 following subfamily in not having 

 the spinnerets elevated on a large 

 tubular projection. 



The separation of the sub- 

 family Araneinae into genera has 

 not been made, as yet, in a satis- 

 F fe-45.s- factory manner. The large number 



EPIGASTRIC PLATE OF ARANEA r . . . , . . 



01 species involved and the presence 

 of intergrading forms between supposed distinct generic types 

 make the subject an extremely difficult one. Great differences of 

 opinion exist regarding the validity of certain genera that have 

 been proposed. The following classification, therefore, must 

 be regaided as merely provisional. 



TABLE OF GENERA OF THE ARANEIN/E 



A. Cepiyalothorax either as high as long or with horny out- 

 growths. 

 B. Cephalothorax as high as long. P. 447. Scoloderus 

 BB. Cephalothorax with horny outgrowths. P. 448. 



Glyptocranium 

 AA. Cephalothorax moderately arched and without horny out- 

 growths. 

 B. Abdomen with a hump on each side at the base, which 

 bears irregular tubercles. P. 450. Kaira 



BB. Abdomen with or without a hump on each side at the 

 base; but without tubercles on the humps when present. 

 C. Median furrow of the thorax when a narrow longi- 

 tudinal one slight, not reaching the cer'ical groove; 

 often a pit with transverse extensions. 

 D. Head and thorax separated by a deep cervical groove 

 in the female at least. P. 450. Cyclosa 



444 



