54 THE SPIDERS OF EPPING FOREST. 



groups, these groups forming a triangle whose apex is in front. 

 Scytodes is almost invariably found in buildings of some sort. 

 One species of the genus, 5. thoracica, Latr. is found in Britain, 

 but it is exceedingly rare. 



Family DRASSIDAE. 

 [Drassidae, Cambr. List, ad partem]. 

 Cephalo-thorax oval, never greatly convex, attenuated and obtuse in front : 

 median stria usuall\- present : lateral striae generally obsolete. Eyes 8 (in some 

 exotic species 6 or 4) distinctly heterogeneous, the anterior centrals being of tlie 

 diurnal type, and the remainder of the nocturnal type ; often oval or angular, 

 especially the posterior centrals, an-anged in two rows. Ocular area much 

 broader than long. Clypciis narrow. Falces robust, usually cylindro-coiiical ; 

 never greatly attenuated nor divergent ; basal prommence present ; fang rather 

 long and powerful, somewhat enlarged at its base, Labium considerably longer 

 than wide, extending beyond the middle of the maxillae. Sternum almost flat, 

 oval. Maxillae usually more or less inclined towards the labium, marked near 

 the centre with an oblique transverse impression (exotic exceptions) : on their 

 interior surface there is, towards the external edge, a serrula (a row of minute 

 pointed granulae, arranged like the teeth of a saw), and upon the internal edge a 

 dense scopula. Palpus : Female, with a pectinated claw. Male, palpal tibia 

 with an apophysis at its exterior superior angle this apophysis being usually of a 

 very simple form : tarsus oval, completely enclosing the palpal organs, which 

 are of rather simple structure. -Legs fairly long and strong, almost always- 

 furnished with spines (especially in III. and IV.) : coxa and patella I. usually 

 longer than in the remaining legs : tarsi usually with a scopula : claw-tufts 

 present (a few exceptions) : tarsal claws 2, usually pectinate. Abiiomen usually 

 cylindrical, or cylindrical-oval, as a rule without brilliant colours or distinct 

 pattern. Spinners prominent, usually situated quite at the posterior extremity of 

 the abdomen : inferiors cj-lindrical, usually larger than the rest, mcII separated at 

 the base (a few exceptions) truncated at the extremity, where there are a number 

 of prominent spinning-tubes ; superiors Avith a short, conical, terminal joint, 

 furnished M'ith small spinning tubes. Cn'bellum absent. Tube tracheae opening 

 just in front of spinners. Female genital aperture with epigynal plates, which are 

 sometimes very small, and at other times highly developed. 



The Drassidae are spiders of moderate size, which spin no 

 snare, but usually construct silken retreats beneath stones or 

 loose bark, seldom venturing forth in search of prey before dusk. 

 Four genera of Drassidae are found in Britain. 



TABLE OF DRASSIDAE. 



1 . Fang groove with,upon its inner edge, a transverse, denticulate 



lamina. Posterior row of eyes distinctly recurved . . GllClpJlOSCl 

 Fang groove without such a plate, usuall\- with isolated 

 denticulations. Posterior row of eyes straight, procurved 

 or rarely recurved . . . . . . . . 2 



2. Maxillae externally almost straight, very little inclined 



towards labium, the point of insertion of the palpus 



