Superfamily Argiopoidea 



previously been named Araneus by Clerk; but this form of the 

 name was published one year before the date adopted for the be- 

 ginning of the binomial nomenclature. 



Although a large number of species occur in our fauna, the 

 few described below include those that most commonly attract 

 attention. To facilitate reference to the descriptions of these 

 they are grouped under the following heads: 



The Large Angulate Araneas. P. 468. 



The Smaller An gulate Araneas. P. 472. 



The Large Round-shouldered Araneas. P. 474. 



The Three House Araneas. P. 484. 



The Smaller Round-shouldered Araneas. P. 490. 



THE LARGE ANGULATE ARANEAS 



There is a group of species of Aranea in which the abdomen 

 bears a pair of prominent humps near its base; this group has 

 been designated The Angulate Araneas. The species composing 

 this group can be easily separated into two subgroups, one con- 

 taining the species of large size; the other, those of moderate 

 or small size. 



Of the large angulate Araneas there are four species found in 

 the United States that are sufficiently common to merit mention 

 here. The adult females of these species usually measure one 

 half inch or more in length, and some individuals are nearly one 

 inch in length. 



Each of these species exhibits great variations in size, colour, 

 and markings. A careful study of the published descriptions 

 and of a fairly large series of specimens has convinced me that 

 comparatively little use can be made of colours and markings in 

 separating these species; but the females can be easily separated 

 by the form of the epigynum; and it is probable that the males 

 can be separated by the structure of the palpi and the shape and 

 armature of the second legs. 



1 have not sufficient material to enable me to prepare a table 

 for separating the males of these species; the females can be 

 separated as follows: 



A. Scape of the epigynum triangular, as wide at the base as 

 long. P. 472. A. gemma 



468 



