xv CLASSIFICATION 393 



The legs are nearly of equal length, and the posterior spinnerets 

 have very long terminal joints. 



Fam. 6. Sicariidae (Scytodidae).--The Sicariidae are a small 

 group of six-eyed spiders, usually with weak legs and slow halting 

 movements ; they live under stones or in outhouses. The 

 cephalothorax is generally smooth and devoid of the median fovea, 

 and the palpal organs of the male are extremely simple. The 

 best known genus is Scytodes, one species of which (X thoi-adccC) 

 has on rare occasions been found in outhouses in the south of 

 England, in Dorsetshire, and Kent. This is a remarkable spider, 

 about one-third of an inch long, with a pale yellow ground- 

 colour, marked with black spots and patches. The cephalothorax 

 is smooth and dome-shaped, and highest near the posterior end. 



All the other members of the family are exotic. Loxosceles is 

 found in the Mediterranean region and all over America, as well 

 as in Japan. The median fovea is present in this genus. Sim, 'in* 

 is a native of America and South Africa. It is of stouter build 

 than Sri/todcs, and the legs are stronger. Drymusa belongs to 

 South Africa. The peculiar New Zealand species Periegops liirsvtiix 

 is placed by Simon in this family, as is also the North American 

 genus Plectreury*, notwithstanding its possession of eight eyes. 



Fam. 7. Hypochilidae. Two species only are included in 

 this family, //////<>,/, ;ius thorelli of North America, aiulZV/^/./x//V/^ 

 davidi, a native of China. They have four pulmonary sacs, 

 though they possess little else in common with the ' Thera- 

 phosae." The pedipalpus of the male is very remarkable, the 

 tarsus being almost unmodified, and the very small palpal organ 

 being inserted at its extremity. These spiders are crihdlale. 



Fam. 8. Leptonetidae.--The Leptonetidae are small spiders 

 with smooth and usually dull-coloured integuments. MU>I u|' 

 them are cave-living, but some are found amidst vegetable debris 

 in damp spots in forests. The eyes are six in number, and the 

 legs are generally long and thin. There are five genera. /.</ -/,<//,/,/ 

 has about ten species living in caves in the Pyrenees. The 



single species of Ti'l.'nHi, (T. tenella) has the same habitat. O.'ln/- 



roccni has repivseniat ives in impim! Asia and America, and is 

 somewhat more ornate than most members of I he -roiip. I'xnjiln 

 has a single species, inhabit in- North America, \\hile Tln\>li im is 

 found in caves in the Philippines and in Yene/uela. 



Fam. 9. Oonopidae. The i innopidae are very >mal! spiders. 



