THE LINYPHIAD^E 



135 



longer and higher in front, the legs are long and slender, with 

 distinct spines, and the abdomen is sometimes a little flattened 

 on the back as in Steatoda, but oftener high in front and a little 

 pointed toward the spinnerets. The sexes differ little in size, 



Fig. 318. Web of Linyphia marginata. Half the real size. 



but often in color and markings. The palpal organs and the 

 terminal joints of the palpi of the males are very large and 

 complicated, and in the smaller species form the best means of 

 distinguishing them. There are a great number of minute 



