21 



Hahits. Araneides sedentary, forming a silken tube in crev- 

 ices of walls, with a few threads spreading from the orifice 

 unto the edge of the crevice, the spider watching near the 

 entrance with its three anterior [pairs of] legs extended out. 



Observations. This subgenus, which was first confounded by 

 me with Dysdera, differs from it by the small size of its cheli- 

 ceres, and the position of its eyes. By the habits of the 

 spiders which compose it it bears close affinity to Segestria, but 

 the position of its eyes is reversed. It is obvious that as this is 

 not Segestria, and cannot be referred to Dysdera, it must con- 

 stitute a new subgenus. 



1. Pylaris bicolor. 



PI. 2, fig. 3. ?. a and 6. Fig. 4. d". a. palpus. 



Description. Cephalothorax piceous ; abdomen bluish-black ; 

 first and second pairs of legs blackish, hairy, third and fourth 

 piceous. Male piceous ; abdomen with the base and sides 

 paler ; feet with few hairs, penult joi]it of the first pair crooked 

 and with two strong spines, the antepenult with about four 

 strong bristles on each side. 



Observations. This spider, which is very common in Ala- 

 bama, makes its tubular habitation in the crevices of walls, 

 commonly waiting near the orifice with its three first pairs of 

 legs directed forwards. Its silken tube spreads out on the out- 

 side, [226] and whenever an insect touches one of the threads 

 the spider issues out with the rapidity of a hawk and seizes its 

 victim, which it carries immediately within. In damp, rainy 

 nio;hts, the males and females are often found wandering from 

 their homes. The male, which is provided with very unusual 

 means of defence on its first pair of legs, is nevertheless ex- 

 cessively cautious in his approach to the residence of the 

 female. He advances with the utmost caution, remaining mo- 

 tionless near the entrance for hours. This takes place in 

 October. I once observed a male in that situation, and wash- 

 ing to secure him, suddenly transfixed his cephalothorax with 



