Araneides of the United States. 467 
front, making a straight row, two on each side, forming a 
curve with the external ones of the first row, and leaving a 
space above, external ones sub-oval, two middle ones round 
and black ; maxille triangular, wide at base, pointed at tip ; 
cheliceres very large, fangs long and bent ; feet <i 2. a. 
Observations. This new sub-genus shews some of the 
characters of Cuusrona and of Tuerripion. I hope some 
future naturalist will give its history and its location in the 
natural arrangement. I know nothing of its habits. 
PRODIDOMUS RUFUS. 
Plate XXX. Fig. 4. 
Description. Rufous ; abdomen deeper above, venter pale, 
four nipples ; feet, 22. 3. 
Habitat. Alabama, in dark cellars. 
Genus ErEina. Walck. 
Characters. Cheliceres short ; maxille parallel, short, wide 
at base, truncated at tip; lip wide, sub-triangular ; eyes 
eight, four in the middle placed in the form of a square, 
two on each side placed near each other diagonally on a 
common eminence ; feet, commonly the first and second long- 
est, the third being the shortest. 
Habits. Araneides sedentary, forming a web composed of 
spiral threads crossed by other threads departing from the 
Centre, often dwelling in a tent constructed above the web. 
vocoon of various form. 
Remarks. 1 endeavored to arrange the numerous species 
of this sub-genus according to the method of Walckenaer ; 
but the characters of Eprira are not very liable to vary, ex- 
cept by the form of its body. The middle eyes offer some 
Variations it is true, and the lateral ones are sometimes placed 
lower: than in others; but I could not avail myself of these 
characters to establish natural subdivisions. ! 
The spiders of this sub-genus are known to every observer 
of nature, Their habits, and particularly their webs, are fa- 
