Superfamily Argiopoidea 



second pairs of legs are stouter than the others. The tibiae of the 

 first pair are very conspicuous, being black except the tip, which 

 is of a strongly contrasting white (Fig. 652). The form of the 

 epigynum is shown by Fig. 653; and that of the tibial apophysis 

 of the male palpus by Fig. 654. 



The egg-sac of this species is often found attached to the 

 lower surface of a stone or of a piece of wood lying on the ground. 

 It is closely applied to the supporting object, flat, circular in 

 outline, and bright red in colour. 



Subfamily MICARIINiE (Mi-ca-ri-i'nae) 



In this and in the following subfamily the last segment of 

 the hind spinnerets is very short, frequently indistinct, and 

 subspherical. In this subfamily the apex of the endites is sub- 

 quadrate, forming an angle on the outside; the tarsi of the anterior 

 legs are long; and the sternum is not at all or barely margined. 



Only two genera are represented in our fauna. 



TABLE OF GENERA OF THE MICARIIN/E 



A. Median furrow of the thorax well-marked; lower margin of 

 the furrow of the chelicerae armed with two small teeth; 

 tibiae of the first two pairs of legs beneath with two pairs 

 of spines. P. 577. Castianeira 



AA. Median furrow of the thorax wanting or faintly indicated; 

 lower margin of the furrow of the chelicerae armed with one 

 very small tooth; anterior legs usually unarmed. P. 580. 



MlCARIA 



Genus CASTIANEIRA (Cas-ti-a-nei'ra) 



In this genus the cephalothorax is ovate, quite convex, and 

 provided with a well-marked median furrow. The lower margin 

 of the furrow of the chelicerae is armed with two small teeth. 

 The body is clothed with plumose hairs, more or less scattered, 

 and often brightly coloured. The tibia of the anterior legs is armed 

 beneath with two or three pairs of spines. 



These spiders are of medium size, brown or black in colour, 

 with the abdomen ringed or otherwise marked with white or some 

 other bright colour. As these markings are often due to the colour 



577 



