652 ARANEINA. 



count of its habits, and considers its silk, if the spider could be 

 reared in sufficient quantities, as of commercial value. The 

 males (upper figure) are minute in size, compared with the 

 females. 



The genus Thomisus is characterized by the small size of the 

 cheliceres, and the first and second pair of feet are either the 

 longest, or the second alone are longest. The species " wander 



Fig. 630. 



after their prey, making no web, but casting irregular threads, 

 with a flattened cocoon, usually placed under leaves, and 

 watched by the mother till the young are hatched." (Hentz.) 

 T. vulgaris Hentz is u pale gray, with four impressed dots on 

 the abdomen ; the body is flat, and the legs are covered with 

 indistinct darker rings. This spider, commonly seen on fenc- 



