Vol. 35, pp. 145-172 October 17, 1922 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



THE NORTH AMERICAN SPIDERS OF THE FAMILY 



GNAPHOSIDAE. 



BY RALPH V. CHAMBERLIN. 



This paper gives a list of the known genera and species of 

 Gnaphosidae (Drassidae) occurring in America north of Mexico 

 with the synonymy as worked out in the preparation of a mono- 

 graph of the family. Since this monograph is not likely to be 

 pubhshed for some time, brief diagnoses of the considerable 

 number of new species and genera recognized are included in 

 order that the names may be used in the labeling of collections 

 examined from time to time. 



The generic classification here used is based primarily upon 

 the morphology of the copulatory organs, particularly of the 

 male, the detailed presentation of which must be deferred. The 

 artificial key given below will be found convenient, pending 

 publication of fuller accounts, in separating the genera repre- 

 sented by the species here considered. Drassinella Banks, here- 

 tofore referred to this family, is omitted because examination of 

 its type species, D. modesta, has shown it to be a synonym of the 

 genus Heterochemmis Cambridge, which belongs in the family 

 Clubionidae. The genus Teminius is also rejected as a synonym 

 of the clubionid genus Syrisca Simon. It was originally based 

 upon two species, T. insularis Keys., from Hayti, and T. con- 

 tinentalis Keys., from Utah. The first of these, the genotype, 

 conforms to Syrisca. The second is a true gnaphosid synony- 

 mous with Orodrassus coloradensis (Emerton). Teminius nigri- 

 ceps Banks is also a true gnaphosid, synonymous with Haplo- 

 drassus signifer (C. Koch). 



33— Pboc. Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. 35, 1922. (145) 



