THE PHALANGIDA OF CALIFORNIA 



BY NATHAN BANKS 

 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



The Phalangida, or Opiliones as they are called by some writers, constitute 

 a very distinct order of the Arachnida. The body is seen to be of two large 

 parts broadly connected to each other; the anterior part is the cephalothorax, 

 the posterior part is the abdomen. The cephalothorax is of one piece above, 

 but usually shows one or two incomplete transverse furrows or grooves. 

 There is also a furrow alone: each side and it is considered that the part )rre;,ond 



Fig^ure 147. Dorsal and ventral views of a Phalangid. 

 A, Dorsal view: a, jialpus; b, inaiKllble; c, lateral pore; d, eye tubercle; e, cepha- 

 lothorax; f, abdomen. B, Ventral view: a, mandible; b, palpus; c, maxilla; d, pedal 

 lobe; e, coxa I; f, coxa II; g, coxa III; h, coxa IV; i, advancement of abdomen; 

 k, spiracle; 1, 2nd ventral segment; m, 3rd ventral segment; u, 4th ventral segment; 

 0, 5th ventral segment; p, 6th ventral segment; s, anal plate. 



the fiirnnv is the pleura. ( )n this pleural portion near the anterior end is 

 a small somewhat circular depression with a membranous bottom, this is 

 the lateral pore. On the middle line of the cephalothorax and toward the 

 anterior margin is a small rounded elevation with a simple eye on each 

 lateral face, this is the eye-tubercle or eye-eminence. The abdomen is quite 

 broad, never slender, and never depressed ; usually quite convex above. 



Abdomen is considered to consist of eight segments, but in many forms the 

 l)asal and median ones are poorly defined on the dorsum ; on the venter there 

 are usually six distinct segments. The under.side of the cephalothorax is 

 occupied by the coxae, and by a median piece similar to and often called the 



