1 04 On North American Spiders. 



LiNYPHiA, (Latr.) 



Eyes 8, %%o S ; legs 1. 2. 4. 3. lingua, short triangular ; maxillae 

 short, wider above. Making a horizontal web on bushes with an- 

 other one, surrounding it above and below, constructed of threads 

 crossed in every direction, as that of Thebidium. The spider holds 

 itself downward, under the horizontal web. Five species, all small. 



Tetkagnatha, (Latr.) 



Eyes 8, in two rows nearly parallel ; legs very long and slender, 

 1. 2. 4, 3. lingua short, rounded j maxillae and mandibulse very long. 

 Making a spiral web with concentric threads. Two species, inhabit- 

 ing the vicinity of water. The form of one of the species is ren- 

 dered horrible, by the size of its mandibulae which are longer than 

 the cephalothorax, and armed with numerous prongs, and with fangs 

 which are nearly as long, so that the jav,rs nearly equal in length 

 the rest of the body. The males are better and more stoutly armed 

 than the females. 



Epeiba, (Walck.) 



Eyes 8, q^ ^ ° cP ; legs 1. 2. 4. 3. lingua short, rounded; maxillae 

 short, rounded. Making a spiral web with concentric threads. 

 Twenty six species. These spiders are known to every body. 

 They are seen towards night busily engaged in making their admira- 

 bly contrived webs, in the middle of which they wait for their prey 

 during the night, but usually take shelter during the day under some 

 leaf or crevice, ^furnished with a tent made of loose threads. The 

 endless variety of forms and habits, of the species of this genus, have 

 given rise to natural subdivisions, which are useful, as the number of 

 species is very great. Many have thorns, tubercles and various pro- 

 jections, which give them a fantastic appearance. The form of their 

 cocoons also varies much. Some attach them to their web in a string. 



Mimetus, (Mihi.) 



Eyes 8, "%- ^^ <? ; legs long, slender, 1. 2. 4. 3. lingua short, trian- 

 gular ; maxillae long, slender, pointed at tip, inclined over the lingua; 

 mandibulse very long and slender. Making a double web, like that 

 of .Thebidium and that of Epeiba connected. The spiral regular 

 web is attached behind by innumerable threads to the irregular one, 

 iin the upper part of which a tent is constructed with dried leaves, 



