

332 ARACHNIDES. 



The Laterigradae form several genera, such as Micrommata, Senelops, &c. 



Other Araneae whose eyes, always eight in number, extend more along 

 the lengthof the thorax than across its breadth, or at least almost as much 

 iu one direction as the other, and which form either a truncated curvilinear 

 triangle or oval, or a quadrilateral, constitute a second general division, or 

 the VAGABUNDJE, which I have thus named to distinguish them from those 

 of the first, or the Sedentariae. 



Two or four of their eyes are frequently much larger than the others; 

 the thorax is large and the legs robust; those of the fourth pair and then 

 the two first, or those of the second pair, are usually the longest. 



They make no web, but watch for their prey and seize it, either by hunt- 

 ing it down, or by suddenly leaping upon it. 



This division forms two sections, each consisting of several genera. In 

 the first, or that of the CITIGBADJB, we find the genus 



LYCOSA, Lat. 



The eyes of the Lycosae form a quadrilateral, but one as long as or longer 

 than it is wide; the two posterior eyes are not placed on an elevation. The 

 first pair of legs is evidently longer than the second, but shorter than the 

 fourth, which, in this respect, surpasses all the others. The internal extre- 

 mity of the jaws is obliquely truncated. The ligula is square but longer 

 than it is broad. 



Almost all the Lycosae keep on the ground, where they run with great 

 swiftness. They inhabit holes accidentally presented to them, or which they 

 excavate, lining their parietes with silk, and enlarging them in proportion 

 to their growth. Some establish their domicil in chinks and cavities in 

 walls, where they form a silken tube covered externally with particles of 

 earth or sand. In these retreats they change their tegument, arid as it ap- 

 pears, after, closing the opening, pass the winter. There also the females 

 lay their eggs. When they go abroad they carry their cocoon with them, 

 attached to the abdomen by threads. On issuing from the egg the 

 young ones cling to the body of the mother, and remain there until they 

 are able to provide for themselves. 



The Lycosae are extremely voracious, and courageously defend their 

 dwelling. 



A species of this genus, the Tarentula, so called from Tarentum, a city of 

 Italy, in the environs of which it is common, is highly celebrated. The 

 poisonous nature of its bite is thought to produce the most serious conse- 

 quences, being frequently followed by death or Tarentism, results which 

 can only be avoided by the aid of music and dancing. Well informed 

 persons, however, think it more necessary in these cases to combat the ter- 

 rors of the imagination than to apply an antidote to the poison; medicine at 

 all events presents other means of cure. 



In the second section of the Vagabundae, that of the SALTIOBADJE, the 

 eyes form a large quadrilateral, the anterior side of which, or the line 

 formed by the first ones, extends across the whole width of the thorax; this 



