Araneae. 



99 



Fam. — Tliomisidac. 



The Thomisidae, or Crab-spiders, as they aie often called on Table-case 

 account of their sidelong method of walking, are usually small, ^o- ^3. 

 squat-looking spiders. They lead a wandering life, and do not 

 construct regular snares. Many of them are sluggish in habit, 

 and are noticeable for their protective coloration, which renders 

 them inconspicuous to their enemies, and at the same time enables 

 them to lie in w^ait for and 

 surprise their prey. The 

 species which live in 

 flowers are said to be able 

 to change their tints to 

 suit the blossom on whicli 

 they are resting ; other 

 Thomisids show close re- 

 semblance to various sub- 

 stances such as bark, 

 blades of grass, the ex- 

 crement of birds, etc. The 

 Crab-spiders belonging to 

 the sub-family Pliilodro- 

 minae are more active in 

 habit, and trust to their 

 speed for the capture of 

 their prey. 



A sketch in colour of 

 a common Bi-itish flower- 

 spider {Misumena vatia) is exhibited in the Table-case containing 

 the specimens of Arachnomorph spiders. 



Fig. 65. 



Flower-spider, Misumena vatia, x 2. 

 (After Blackwall.) 



Fam. — Chtbionidae. 



The spiders of this family are often of large size, but there are 

 a great number of small or medium-sized species. They are pre- 

 datory forms, and are provided with large and powerful chelicerae. 

 Many of them are laterigi'ade, and can walk either backwards or 

 sideways at will. In the tropical regions 6f the world a number 

 of large species are met with in houses, and several of them have 

 a wide distribution. One of these house-spiders {Hctcropoda rcgia) 

 has been imported by shipping from the East Indies practically all 

 over the world, and, like the common rat and cockroach, main- 

 tains itself wherever the conditions are favourable to its survival. 



H 2 



