Superfamily Argiopoidea 



This species is found in the southern portions of the United 

 States, and its range extends through Central America. 



I studied this spider at Miami, Fla., and noted that it held 

 its legs closely folded when hanging in its web; and that when 

 in this position, it appeared like a bit of dirt. 



Genus METAZYGIA (Met-a-zyg'i-a) 



This genus is represented in the United States by a single 

 species, which occurs in Florida and in Mexico, and which 1 have 

 not seen. It differs from Wagneriana in the absence of spines or 

 humps on the abdomen. 



Melalgia wittfeldce (M. witt-fel'dae). — The female measures 

 a little more than one third inch in length; the male, a little less. 

 The head is dark brown, the thorax yellow, and the abdomen yellow 

 or yellowish green, with a large central scalloped folium, outlined 

 in black. 



Genus SINGA (Sin'ga) 



The posterior median eyes are closer to eacji other than to the 

 posterior lateral eyes. The tibia; of the first and second pairs 

 of legs are armed with some spines above, at least with one. The 

 abdomen is as high behind its middle as at its base, and elliptical 

 in outline or broader behind the middle. 



This genus includes small species with short legs; they live 

 among herbage in low open places. The following are our more 

 common species. Seven others are known to occur in the United 

 States. 



Singa tnmcata (S. trun-ca'ta). — This species measures about 

 one eighth inch in length. The head is as high as wide. The 

 cephalothorax is orange-brown except about the eyes where it is 

 black. The abdomen is orange with indistinct blackish markings 

 across the hinder part. 



Singa variabilis (S. va-ri-ab'i-lis). — The female measures 

 one sixth inch in length ; the male, one eighth. The cephalothorax 

 is light orange except about the eyes where it is black. ' The 

 abdomen is usuallv entirely black, but occasionally has bright 

 yellow markings (Fig. 474). Sometimes there is a wide middle 

 stripe, with narrower ones at the sides and two underneath. 



d6i 



