ON EUROPEAN SPIDERS. 95 
If from C. Kocn’s heterogeneous genus Phrurolithus we detach some 
not allied forms, as for instance Ph. trifasciatus, which is a Singa, Ph. 
ornatus, Which seems to be the young of Steatoda bipunctata, as also Ph. 
festivus and minimus, which belong to the Drassoide, the remaining Theri- 
dioide form a perfectly natural group, which has accordingly been acknow- 
ledged by OHLERT as a separate genus, and by him characterized in a sa- 
tisfactory manner. WESTRING has however as early as 1851 (Förteckn. ete., 
p. 46) reserved the name Phrurolithus to the above named Drassoide which 
KocH had referred to this genus, so that OHLERTS Phrurolithus requires a 
new name. We have chosen the name Lithyphantes, as indicating the ha- 
bits of the various species belonging to this genus. — By MENGE?) Lith. 
corollatus is referred to his Eucharia, i. e. Steatoda (SUND.) NOB. 
In £L. corollatus the superior tarsal claws are of about the same form 
as those of Steatoda, but somewhat stouter; they are pectinated, with about 
8—10 strong teeth increasing rapidly in length from the base. The infe- 
rior claw has a thick, blunt tooth, behind which is another fine and more 
pointed. The female’s palpal claw has about 4 coarse teeth, pointing 
forwards. 
Gen. 16. LATHRODECTUS Warck. 1805. 
Deriv.: dog, secretly; dfxrns, biting (déxvw, bite). 
Syn.: 1805. Lathrodectus [Latrodectus] Warck., Tabl. d. Aran., p. 81. 
1806. Theridium [Theridion] Larr., Gen. Crust. et Ins., I, p. 98 (ad partem). 
1836. Meta C. Koch, Die Arachn., III, (ad part.:) p. 9, 10. 
1864. Lathrodectus [Latrodectus] Sim., H. N. d. Araignées, p. 177. 
Type: Lathrodectus 13-guttatus (Rossi). 
This genus is so nearly similar to Lithyphantes, as to differ from it 
almost only by a greater distance between the lateral eyes. If WALCKENAER’S 
genus Theridium is preserved undivided, the species that compose Lathro- 
dectus must unquestionably be affiliated to it, as was done by LATREILLE 
and Dueks. — The name ” Latrodectus" is evidently formed of 4420€ and 
djzens, in the same manner as e. g. Lathrobium of 20902 and f«óo (to live), 
and ought therefore to be written ZLathrodectus. The derivation ”4Aazgov, 
merces, Óexróc, acceptus" given in AGASSIZ Nomenclator Zool., and that from 
"Aeros)c, ouvrier" and dyjxrys, which SIMON adopts, appear to me very im- 
probable, as yielding no rational meaning for the name. 
1) Preuss. Spinn., III, p. 264. 
