THE THOMISID^ 



27 



Misumena vatia is the largest species and lives all over this 

 country and Europe. It is sometimes half an inch long, and 

 the first legs spread an inch and a half (fig. "jy). It is white, with 

 sometimes a crimson spot on each side of the abdomen and 

 another on the front of the head between the upper eyes. The 

 sides of the thorax are a little darkened with yellow or brown, 

 which extends around the head to a 

 distinct opaque white spot under 

 and between the eyes (fig. 'j6). 

 This white spot widens below over 

 the mandibles and above under the 

 eyes and around the eyes of the 

 upper row. The shape of this mark 

 and the greater height of the head 

 distinguish this species from alca- 

 toria (figs. 79, 80). On the back of 

 the thorax is also a distinct opaque 

 white spot. The first and second 

 legs have usually a light brown 

 mark on the upper side, but this 

 is sometimes absent. 



The male (fig. 78) is only a quar- 

 ter or a third as long as the adult 

 female. The front legs are pro- 

 portionally longer than in the fe- 

 male, and the abdomen smaller and 

 more pointed behind. The males 

 are strongly marked with reddish brown on a light ground. 

 The thorax is dark at the sides, while the front of the head 

 is white like that of the female. 



Misumena aleatoria. — The female of this species grows nearly 

 as large as vatia, and in some places is much more com- 

 mon. It is white or yellow, but does not have the crimson 



Figs. 79, 80. Si, 

 82. Misumena 

 aleatoria. — 

 79, front of head anc 

 eyes. 80, female en- 

 larged four times. 

 81, female with dark 

 markings. 82, male 

 enlarged four times. 



