36 

 Genus. DoLOMEDES. Latr. 



Characters. Cheliceres moderately large; maxiUce short, 

 parallel, somewhat wider above the insertion of the j^alpi ; lip 

 short, suborhicular; eyes eight, unequal, in tivo roivs, the anterior 

 one slightly curved, the posterior one wider and much curved from 

 the base towards the anterior one ; exterior eyes borne on tubercles ; 

 feet, the fourth, second, and first pair are nearly equal, the third 

 being the shortest. 



Habits. Araneides wandering after prey, making no web, 

 except during the rearing of the progeny, hiding under stones, 

 sometimes diving under water ; cocoon usually orbicular, car- 

 ried by the mother. 



Observations. The subgenus Dolomedes is the link between 

 Ctenus and Lycosa, and its characters are somewhat variable. 

 In the first tribe (the Arboreae), which differ wholly from the 

 Sylvaria of Walckenaer, the arrangement of the eyes is almost 

 that of Lycosa ; and in the Ripuariaj the arrangement of the 

 eyes leads to Micrommata. The spiders of this genus differ in 

 their habits also ; those of the two first tribes dwell on trees, 

 or in cavities ; those of the third are found near water, and 

 run on its surface with great rapidity ; they can even dive, and 

 have recourse to this when in danger. [395] Several, perhaps 

 all species, construct on bushes a web somewhat like that of 

 Agelena, for the protection of the cocoon, and the rearing of 

 the voung. This is another resemblance to Micrommata. 



&• 



Order of the species Dolomedes. 



Tribe I. Arbore^, middle eyes much larger than the rest. 



Tribe II. Tenebros^, eyes subequal, loiver roiv as much 

 curved as the upper. 



Tribe III. Ripuarle, eyes subequal, loiver roiv straight or 

 slightly curved. 



