142 



[Continued from Vol. vi, p. 35.] 

 Genus Thekidion Walckenaer. 



Characters. Cheliceres small, cylindrical ; maxilla* ividest at 

 base, pointed towards the tip, inclined over the lip ; lip small, 

 very short, widest at base, suhtriangular ; eyes eight, equal, four 

 in the middle, nearly forming a parallelogram, two on each side, 

 placed diagonally; feet shnder, the first pair longest, the fourth 

 and the second nearly equal, the third being the shortest. 



Habits. Araneides sedentary, forming a web made of threads 

 crossed in all directions. Cocoon of various shapes. 



Remarks. The subgenus Theridion contains many species, 

 a majority of which are very small, and whose webs, made* on 

 the tops of weeds, in bushes, or in retired corners, are familiar 

 to every one. 



I could not adopt any one of the families or tribes of Walck- 

 enaer, and it is indeed a difficult matter to subdivide this sub- 

 genus. Whether I have succeeded better will be decided by 

 naturalists. 



Tribe I. Geminvt/e. External eyes approximated. Spi- 

 ders usually small. 



1. Theridion vulgare. 



PI. 16, fig. 1. 



Description. Female. Varying from a cream white to a 

 livid brown, or plumbeous color; cephalothorax dull rufous, 

 abdomen with various undulated lines ; feet with more or less 

 distinct, dark or plumbeous rings, 1. 4. 2. 3. [272.] 



Male. Slender, same colors and markings except on the 

 legs, which are usually rufous, longer, and have their respective 

 length thus, 1. "2. 4. 3. 



Observations. This constant and common inhabitant of any 

 dwelling where the broom is not much in use, is very readily 

 recognized, notwithstanding the variations of its colors. There 



