On JS'orth American Spiders, 103 



tally, and have a tube, usually concealed in a hole or crevice, for the 

 reception of the spider. This is the common house spider, the web 

 of which is narcotic and has been administered internally in some ca- 

 ses of fever with success. It is also effectual in stopping the blood 

 of cuts and slight wounds. Two species only are known to me. 



Agelena, (Walck.) Jlranea, (Latr.) 



Eyes 8, o qq <^ ; legs 4. 1. 2. 3. Making in the fields, webs which 



are spread horizontally and at the upper part of which is a tube for 

 the retreat of the spider. Two species. Differs from the preceding 

 only in the arrangement of the eyes, and in its preferring the open 

 air to dark retreats. 



Theridium, (Walck.) 



o 



Eyes 8, o o o o ^^° °o o o c" ; legs 1. 4. 2. 3. lingua short; max- 

 illsB elongated, inclined over the hngua. Making a web formed of 

 threads crossed irregularly in every direction. Five species. One 

 of them, Theridium verecundum, (my catalogue,) is entirely glossy 

 black, except two crimson spots under the abdomen, the last of which 

 is sometimes continued on the back in the form of a band. It is com- 

 mon in the Southern States, and is well known, as the people there 

 believe its bite is very poisonous. That spiders are all supplied with 

 a poisonous fluid conveyed in their fangs, there can be no doubt ; 

 but I cannot assert that this is more dangerous than another, for per- 

 sons who do not study Natural History, are apt to confound objects 

 of a different nature. A respectable physician, hov^ever, pointed out 

 this species to me as the one, and told me that in every instance he 

 could arrest the violent symptoms arising from its bite, by inducing a 

 reaction in the system, and frequently had produced instant relief 

 with a glass of brandy. Most species of this genus are the common 

 prey of the several species of Sphex called dirt-daubers in the South, 

 on account of their making clay nests, in which they enclose with 

 their progeny from twenty to thirty spiders, which serve as food to 

 the young larvae. 



Pholcus, (Walck.) 



Eyes S,'i'>°'^ ; legs very long and slender, 1. 2. 4. 3, lingua 

 short, triangular ; maxillse long, inclined over the lingua. Making a 

 loose web. One species. Inhabiting the ceilings of houses. I sel- 

 dom met with it at a distance from the Atlantic coast. 



