1^)10] The Pal pi of Male Spiders 169 



ductor is a broad concave plate (Fig. 8, con.), in which the ter- 

 minal portion of the embolus rests. 



A more complicated form of the apical division of the bulb 

 exists in Hypochiliis thorelli (Fig. 3). Here the embolus is 

 coiled about the conductor, the terminal part of which is con- 

 cave so as to support the terminal portion of the embolus; the 

 tip of the conductor bears a delicate membranous flap. 



In Hypochiliis the tarsus bears a branch which supports 

 a prominent bunch of bristles (Fig. 3, p. c. ) ; this may be a rudi- 

 mentary form of paracymbium, a part that is well developed in 

 Pachygnatha. 



A somewhat similar condition exists in Pachygnatha (Fig. 9). 

 Here the proximal part of the embolus is coiled about the con- 

 ductor, which is a broad twisted plate; and the terminal portion 

 of the embolus is supported by the corresponding part of the 

 conductor. When at rest the apical division of the bulb 

 rests in the concave tip of the cymbium; but in the specimen 

 figured the bulb has been extended so to show the parts better; 

 and the embolus and conductor have been separated at the tip. 



In Pachygnatha the tarsus is divided into two distinct 

 parts, which are joined by a movable articulation at the base. 

 The larger part is the cymbium (Fig. 9, cym.) the smaller part, 

 the paracymbium (Menge '60) or the accessory branch of the 

 tarsus (Simon '92) (Fig. 9, p. c). The cymbium and the para- 

 cymbium resemble the other segments of the palpus in the nature 

 of their cuticula and in the fact that they are clothed with 

 hairs. 



The term conductor is in general use and was substituted 

 for the term spermophorum of Menge, which was suggested by a 

 misconception of the function of this part. As to the particular 

 part to which the term should be applied there is no doubt. 

 Menge ('66, Plate 15) clearly indicates, in his figures of the 

 palpus of Tetragnatha extensa, the part to which he applied the 

 term spermophorum; and the term conductor must be applied 

 to the homologous part whenever it is used. This, however, 

 has not been done; in many descriptions an entirely different 

 part has been termed the conductor, merely because it is more 

 or less nearly parallel with the embolus. A discussion of the 

 function of the conductor is given later. 



