On JYorth American Spiders. 105 



under which the spider takes shelter in the day time. One species, 

 M. Syllepsicus (my catalogue) of a pale green color varied with black 

 on the cephalothorax and abdomen, tips of the four anterior thighs with 

 a black ring, feet very hairy ; inhabiting damp woods. The legs and 

 the eyes correspond with Epe'ira, but the trophi, except the mandibulse 

 are those of Theridium ; and the web and habits participate of both. 

 The long and slender mandibulge are peculiar to this. The cocoons 

 resemble a plano-convex lens, are of a pale brown color, and are at- 

 tached in the middle, one above another, in the tent which the spider 

 inhabits. It is evident that in a perfectly natural arrangement, The- 

 ridium should be placed near Epeira, and this genus between the 

 two. There is a true Epeira, E. Labyrinthea, (my catalogue) 

 which is found iii the same locality and which makes a web of the 

 same kind ; and I at first suspectedthat this was a Theridium which 

 had taken possession of the web of that Epeira, but, besides the 

 character from the legs which does not belong to Theridium, the 

 difierence in the cocoons settled my doubts. The cocoons of the 

 Epeira above mentioned are nearly conical, of an obscure color 

 above, whitish blue beneath ; they are hung in a string above the tent. 

 The resemblance of habits in these two species, shows however the 

 close affinity between the two genera and this. 



Thomisus, (Walck.) 



Eyes 8, generally in two rows bent downward, o o oo'^^* °o o° ' 

 legs variable, but the second generally the longest ; lingua contract- 

 ed at base, wider towards the middle ; maxilke inclined over the lin- 

 gua. Making no web, but wandering after their prey on flowers, 

 rails, trees, &ic. Eight species. This genus, embracing very differ- 

 ent species, is not natural. It should include only the HETEROPODiE 

 o( Walck., which have the two anterior pair of legs sensibly longer 

 than the others. The other species ougbt to constitute other subdi- 

 visions. 



Sphasus, (Walck.) Oxyopes, (Latr.) 



Eyes S, unequal in size, ° o o ° ; legs 1. 2. 4. 3. lingua long, roun- 

 ded at its apex ; maxilla; long, narrower at tip. Making no web, ex- 

 cept when the female makes her cocoon. Three species. Nothing 

 is known as yet in Europe about the habits of the spiders of this 

 genus, and therefore T will stale my observations. There is much 



Vol. XXL— No.. 1. " 14 



