39 Hentz's Descriptions of the 
eight ; four in the middle, the two lower ones borne on tuber- 
cles and further apart than the two upper ones ; two on each 
side placed diagonally near each other, on a middle line ; 
feet long, the first and second pair much longer than the 
other two ; first pair bent in the female. 
Habits. Araneides wandering, except during the time of 
the rearing of the young ; destructive of other Araneides, and 
invading their webs. Cocoon oblong, pointed at both ends. 
Remarks. The parasitic habits of the spiders composing 
this subgenus, remind the naturalist of the depredations com- 
mitted by various Hymenoprera upon many species of insects. 
The Mimetus can make a web like that of Theridion, but 
prefers prowling in the dark, and taking possession of the in- 
dustrious Epeira’s threads and home, or the patient Theri- . 
dion's web, after murdering the unsuspecting proprietor. 
It combines some of the characters of these two subgenera, 
but is more closely related to the latter. The extreme length 
of its cheliceres is quite anomalous. 
1. MIMETUS INTERFECTOR, 
Plate IV. Figs. 12, 13. 
Description. Pale yellowish ; cephalothorax with a black 
band branching towards the eyes; abdomen with several 
white spots near the base, varying in shape and size ; three 
central ones at base, often wanting; a serrated black line on 
each side, almost uniting with its fellow at the apex, and 
several small transverse ones; beneath pale, with little black 
marks as above ; feet very long, with long bristles, varied with 
rufous and black ; first and second pair with the penult joint 
curved. The male differs slightly from the female ; his legs 
being longer, and the penult joint of the first and second pair 
nearly straight. 
_ Observations. This singular depredator is not rare, and 
is usually found in houses. This has enabled me to make 
many curious observations'on its manners. "The first speci- 
men I found, was a female, which had made two cocoons 
