Superfamily Argiopoidea 



The male measures a little less than one sixth inch in length. 

 The cephalothorax is dark brown with a lighter median area 

 (Fig. 607) ; the femora of the first two pairs of legs are dark brown ; 

 and the abdomen is white with heavy, brownish black markings, 

 as shown in the figure. 



This is a widely distributed species; it lives on grass and 

 on low bushes. 



Genus SYNEMA (Sy-ne'ma) 



The genus Synema is closely allied to Xysticus but differs 

 in the following characters: The median ocular area is a little 

 more narrow in front than behind; the anterior eyes are equi- 

 distant or even with the median nearer to each other than to 

 the lateral eyes; the tarsal claws of the first two pairs of legs are 

 furnished with more than five or six teeth, and the teeth extend 

 beyond the middle of the claw (Fig. 608); the cuticle is smooth 

 and clothed with scattered long hairs; and there are only three 

 pairs of spines on the 

 lower side of the tibiae 

 of the first and second 



i 



pairs of legs. 



Fig. 608. 

 TARSAL CLAWS OF SYNEMA 



Fig. 6og. 

 SYNEMA PARVULA 



The original spelling of the generic name is that adopted 

 here; later Simon changed it to Syncema. 



This is a large genus; but only three species pertaining to 

 it have been found in our fauna. 



Synema parvula (S. par'vu-la). — The female measures a 

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

 The cephalothorax is brownish yellow, a little darker at the sides 

 and with a marginal, dark brown seam; the lateral ocular tuber- 



540 



