Superfamily Argiopoidea 



four muscle impressions are brown, and there is a darkish median 

 stripe on the basal half (Fig. 660). The first and second pairs 

 of legs are stouter, and usually darker than the other two pairs. 

 This common species is found in dry and warm places, at the 

 base of plants or under stones or leaves, sometimes on fences. 



Genus MERIOLA (Me-ri'o-la) 



In this genus as in Trachelas the legs are not armed with 

 spines or bear a few under the tibia of the first pair; but this genus 

 is distinguished from Trachelas by having the posterior row of 

 eyes straight. 



Only two species have been described: one of these, M. inor- 

 nata, is from New Mexico; the following one is found in the East. 



Meriola decepta (M. de-cep'ta).— - This species appears like 

 a miniature of Trachelas tranquilla, resembling that species in form, 

 colour, and the proportions of its legs; the adult female, however, 

 is only one sixth inch in length; the male has not been described. 



Mr. Banks, who described the species, found it on the ground 

 in an old meadow; the specimens in my collection were obtained 

 by sifting. 



Family AGELENIDiE (Ag-e-len'i-dae) 



The Funnel-web Spiders 



These are three-clawed, almost always eight-eyed, sedentary 

 spiders. They differ from the Clubionidae in the number of tarsal 

 claws and in lacking scopulae on the tarsi; and from the two 

 following families in not having the trochanters notched. The 

 eyes may be either silvery white or dark or both types may be 

 present; usually the anterior median eyes are silvery white, the 

 others dark; the eyes are in two rows. The hind spinnerets 

 are very long (Fig. 661). 



The members of this family spin sheet-like webs, which are 

 usually furnished with a tubular retreat; this suggests the common 

 name funnel-web spiders for the family. The web of the grass- 

 spider, an exceedingly common species, is a good illustration 

 (Fig. 662); this is described in detail on a later page. 



To this family belongs the remarkable aquatic spider, Argyro- 

 neta aquatica, of Europe, the habits of which have been described 



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