Superfamily Argiopoides 



resting in the open space of the hub in the attitude shown in 

 Fig. 561 . A small stabilimentum is usually present above the hub. 

 Micrathena gracilis (M. grac'i-lis). — The abdomen of this 

 species is armed with five pairs of spines; the first is near the base; 

 the second, nearly midway the length of the abdomen; and the 

 other three pairs at the caudal end. When viewed from above, 



Fig. 560. WEB OF MICRATHENA SAGITTATA 



the third pair of spines covers more or less completely the fourth 

 and fifth (Fig. 562). The full-grown female measures a little 

 more than one fourth inch in length. The cephalothorax is 

 reddish brown with three dark stripes. The abdomen is spotted 

 with white, yellow and brown; the general colour varies from 

 almost white to nearly black. 



516 



