Araneides of the United States. 57 



Observations. This spider, hitherto always found in mid- 

 winter, under stones or on the ground, is probably not the 

 male of Mygale Carolinensis ; but the peculiarity of its first 

 pair of legs, is, no doubt, a sexual character. The same joint 

 of the feet of the male of my Dysdera bicolor, is not only 

 bent, but has powerful prongs and bristles, which nature has 

 given him as a defence, or as the means of grasping the 

 female. 



Habitat. Alabama. 



Fig. 4. Mygale gracilis, a. The eyes. b. The right palpus, with the maxilla. 



5. MYGALE ? UNICOLOR. 



Description. Deep rufous ; cephalothorax depressed in the 

 middle, with two impressions, cheliceres very large ; abdo- 

 men smooth ; third pair of legs with short, very thick joints ; 

 feet 4 1. 2. 3. 



Observations. This species is very distinct from any oth- 

 er, particularly by the manner in which its palpi are inserted. 

 Were the maxillab' extended a little more at their extremity, 

 this spider should be placed in the sub-genus Oletera, 

 which follows. The specimen, from which this description 

 was taken, (a female,) was turned up by the plough, in a 

 field, in the month of May. The manner in which the spi- 

 ders belonging to Mygale and Oletera live, hidden under 

 groi:nd, and probably issuing out only at night, prevents our 

 becc ming acquainted with their habits. I doubt whether the 

 males ever dwell in tubular habitations. Much remains yet 

 to be done to complete the history of this genus and that of 

 the next. 



Habitat. Alabama. 



Fig. 5. Mygale ? unicolor. a. The eyes. h. The trophi. 



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