222 r PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [May, 



scopulse undivided (PI. IX, fig. 4), the posterior tarsi scopulate at 

 sides, being divided along the median ventral face by a setose or 

 setose and spiniilose band (PI. IX, fig. 6). Metatarsus of fourth legs 

 shorter than tibia + . patella of same pair in most cases, rarely the 

 metatarsus the longer more especially in males. Tibia + patella of 

 last legs sometimes a little longer than and sometimes of same length 

 as or, as in the great majority of cases, shorter than the cephalothorax. 



Spiders of large or medium size, including the largest forms of the 

 family. There is much variation in coloration, although in the several 

 groups of species the same system or pattern of markings is more or less 

 evident. Most of the larger North American species show a decided 

 tendency to have the ventral surface of the body black in whole or in 

 considerable part, such seeming indeed to be the tendency in large 

 Lycosidce everywhere. The body of the males is in most cases smaller 

 than that of the females, with the legs proportionately much longer 

 and with their several joints of proportionately different lengths. 



Lycosas make a white spherical cocoon which only exceptionally 

 shows a seam about its equator, the tissue being normally smooth and 

 homogeneous. The smaller species carry the cocoons about as do the 

 Pardosas, which they resemble also in building no retreats. The larger 

 species, however, during the cocooning season are sedentary. Prac- 

 tically all of these larger species make nests or burrows of some kind, 

 these varying greatly in form and depth. Some of the burrows are 

 deep and have the openings surrounded by a rampart or turret 

 formed of .sticks and leaves or of bits of dirt cemented together with 

 silk {e.g., fatifera, arenicola, carolinensis) . Other species excavate only 

 shallower pits or nests beneath stones or logs, and surround these 

 excavations with a low rampart of earth or sticks, etc., and which 

 they may occupy only during the cocooning season (e.g., helluo). 



The genus Lycosa as here considered is divisible into a number of 

 groups ; but for the most part these are found more or less closely to 

 intergrade when a sufficient number of species are taken into considera- 

 tion. The most aberrant and distinct of these groups, so far as concerns 

 the American species, is that containing many of the forms referred 

 to Trochosa C. K. {avara Keys., gosiuta new, cinerea Fab., ruhicunda 

 Keys., etc.). The material representing this group that I have been 

 able to study (American forms only) has not been sufficiently extensive 

 and complete to enable me to determine fully the characteristics and 

 value of the group, and therefore the propriety or advantageousness 

 of its separation generically. The forms studied differ from typical 

 Lycosas among other features in having the epigyna as \\\(\q as or 



