354 Hentz's Descriptions of the 
metallic green with yellow and red reflections, a white band, 
widest in front and continued on the sides, but not reaching 
the eyes; feet, 4. 1. 3. 2, with a slender black edge externally, 
thighs of first pair black, knee pale. 
Observations. This graceful species is readily distinguished 
from any other, and is not very rare. 
Habitat. Southern States. 
Tribe HI. Instp1osm ; legs equal in thickness, the fourth 
longest, then the fifth. | 
` 14. ATTUS FAMILIARIS. 
: Plate XXI. Fig. 7. 
- Description. Pale gray, hairy ; abdomen blackish, with a 
grayish, angular band, edged with whitish ; feet, 4. 1. 2. 3. 
Observations. This very common spider, almost domes- . 
ticated in our houses, by its habits, deserves a longer notice 
than others. It dwells in cracks around sashes, doors, be- 
tween clapboards, &c., and may be seen on the sunny side 
of the house, and in the hottest places, wandering in search 
of prey. It moves with agility and ease, but usually with a 
certain leaping gait. -The moment, however, it has discovered 
a fly, all its motions are altered ; its cephalothorax, if the fly 
moves, turns to it, with the firm glance of an animal which 
' can turn its head; it follows all the motions of its prey with 
the watehfulness of the falcon, hurrying its steps or slackening 
its pace, as the case may require. Gradually, as it draws near 
to the unsuspecting victim, its motions become more com- 
posed, until, when very near, its movements are entirely 1m- 
perceptible to the closest observation, and, indeed, it woul 
appear perfectly motionless, were it not for the fact that it 
gradually draws nearer to the insect. When sufficiently near, 
it very suddenly takes a leap, very seldom missing its 8T 
I saw one, however, make a mistake, for the object which it 
watched was only a portion of the wing of an hemipterous 17 
sect entangled in a loose web. It took its leap and grasped 
