178 THERAPHOSID^E. 



Family THERAPHOSID^. 



Medium-sized or very large Mygalomorphaa, differing from the 

 Barychelidee in having the apical segment of the posterior spinners 

 cylindrical and at least as long as the 2nd segment, and in the 

 absence of the rastellum. Eyes always aggregated on a distinct 

 tubercle. 



Distribution. Temperate and tropical countries to the south of 

 the 45th parallel of north latitude, but apparently absent from 

 New Zealand. 



Habits. Most of the species are fossorial, but they never close 

 the aperture of the burrow with a movable lid. Other species are 

 met with under stones, in hollow trees, or sheltering in any 

 natural crevice. 



The Indian genera of this family are referable to the following 

 four subfamilies : 



a. No stridulating organ between the outer 



surface of the mandible and the inner 



surface of the coxa of the palp TherapTiosince, 



b. A stridulating organ between the mandible [p. 178. 



and coxa of palp. 

 a 1 . Outer surface of mandible covered with 



scopula or pad of feathery hairs Orniihoctonince, 



6 1 . No scopula of feathery hairs on outer side [p. 203.- 



of mandible. 



a 2 . Inner surface of coxa of palp (maxilla) 

 furnished with simple scattered needle- 

 like bristles Thrigmopceince, 



b 2 . Inner surface of maxilla furnished with [p. 184. 

 cluster or series of claviform or bacilli- 

 form bristles Selenocosmiince. 



[p. 187.- 



Subfamily THEB-APHOSIN.E. 



No stridulating-organ between the outer surface of the mandible 

 and the adjacent surface of the coxa of the palp, these two surfaces 

 being smooth and at most scantily hairy. There is also no 

 stridulating-organ between the basal segments of the palp and 

 1st leg, such as is found in the tropical African genera con- 

 stituting the subfamily Eumenophorince. 



Distribution. Mediterranean area of Palsearctic region ; tropical 

 West Africa ; India and Burma ; America from the Southern 

 States of the Union to Patagonia. 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 



a. Thoracic fovea straight, transverse, at most 



slightly procurved. [p. 181. 



a 1 . Anterior leg of male with strong tibial spur. PLESIOPHRICTUS, 

 b l . Anterior leg of male without tibial spur . . ISCHNOCOLUS, 



[p. 183, 



