J. H. Emerton — jSFeio England Therididoe. 5 



and Linypliia have distinct colored patterns on the abdomen, and 

 dark and light rings on the legs. In some species there is great 

 variation in the markings, as Theridima frondeum and Stcatoda 

 marmorata. 



The legs of the Therldidm are usually slender. Their relative 

 length 1, 2, 4, 3, or 1, 4, 2, 3, though there are exceptions to this 

 proportion. In Theridium and the neighboring genera the spines on 

 the legs are small and resemble the other hairs except in Mhnetus 

 and Ero, where they are usually large, especially on the two front 

 pairs of legs. 



The feet have three claws, the lateral ones with five or six teeth, 

 and the middle, one or two. The spines under the claws are some- 

 times toothed as in Epeiridm. The female palpus has usually a 

 single claw, but this is sometimes wanting. The maxillte are usually 

 as short as wide, not rounded at the end as in Epemi^ but either 

 ending in a straight edge, or a point at the inner corner. 



The eyes are in two rows, slightly curved together at the ends so 

 that the lateral pairs Nearly or quite touch each other. The varia- 

 tions in size and position of the eyes are mostly in the middle pairs. 



In most species there is considerable difference between the sexes. 

 The males have the abdomen smaller, the legs longer, and the head 

 hig*lier than the females. The colors of the males are usually darker 

 and the light markings less distinct than in the females, and some- 

 times the colors of the two sexes are very different, but usually the 

 maikings and shape of the body are so much alike that the males and 

 females of the same species can be readily recognized. 



The palpal organs of the males and the epigynum of the females 

 are usually large and comjjlicated in this family, and aie the most 

 convenient means of distinguishing many species, especially in Liny- 

 phinm and the smaller Erigoninm. 



The epigynum consists of two round spermatheca^ near the genital 

 opening of the female, from each of which run two tubes, one, usu- 

 ally the larger and longei", to a hole outside the body, the other, usu- 

 ally small and short, into the oviduct near its mouth. The sperma- 

 thecae can sometimes be seen through the skin, but they vary but 

 little, while the hard parts, by which their outer openings are sur- 

 rounded, differ greatly, according to the species. The internal struc- 

 ture of the ejjigynum is shown in the figures on PI. 1. The oviduct 

 openS'in the middle of a transverse fold under the front part of the 

 abdomen, and the openings of tlie e[)igynuni are near the edge of this 

 fold, usually on the outer side and just in front of it. Sometimes 



