8 



cus (my catalogue), of a pale green color varied with black on 

 the cephalothorax and abdomen, tips of the four anterior thighs 

 with a black ring, feet very hairy ; inhabiting damp woods. 

 The legs and the eyes correspond with Epeira, but the tropin, 

 except the mandibulae, are those of Theridium ; and the web 

 and habits participate of both. The long and slencjer mandib- 

 ular are peculiar to this. The cocoons resemble a plano-convex 

 lens, are of a pale brown color, and are attached in the middle, 

 one above another, in the tent which the spider inhabits. It is 

 evident that in a perfectly natural arrangement, Theridium 

 should be placed near Epeii'a, and this genus between the two. 

 There is a true Epeira, E. labyrinihea (my catalogue), which 

 is found in the same locality and which makes a web of the 

 same kind ; and I at first suspected that this was a Theridium 

 which had taken possession of the web of that Epeira, but, 

 besides the character from the legs which does not belong to 

 Theridium, the difference in the cocoons settled my doubts. 

 The cocoons of the Epeira above mentioned are nearly conical, 

 of an obscure color above, whitish blue beneath ; they are hung 

 in a string above the tent. The resemblance of habits in these 

 two species, shows, however, the close affinity between the two 

 genera and this. 



Thomisus, (Walck.). 



Eyes 8, generally in two rows bent downward, PI. 18, fig. 83 

 or 79 ; legs variable, but the second generally the longest ; lin- 

 gua contracted at base, wider towards the middle ; maxillae in- 

 clined over the lingua. Making no web, but wandering after 

 their prey on flowers, rails, trees, etc. Eight .species. This 

 genus, embracing very different species, is not natural. It 

 should include only the Heteropod;e of Walck., which have the 

 two anterior pair of legs sensibly longer than the others. The 

 other species ought to constitute other subdivisions. 



