FAMILY LYCOSIDES. 



^^^nHE spiders of this family may be easily known by their 

 ifiG? usually elongate cephalo-thorax, which narrows gradually 

 l&C±J to the fore-extremity ; its upper convexity is also con- 

 siderable, the sides sloping, and the profile line of the caput and 

 thorax, from the eyes to the posterior declivity, remarkably even 

 and level. The cephalo-thorax, as well as the abdomen, is more 

 or less densely clothed with hairs and hairy pubescence, upon 

 which a good deal of the colours and markings depends. The 

 legs are long and strong, always directed forwards and back- 

 wards, never laterally; and in some groups they are much 

 attenuated at the extremities. 



The spines are numerous, but not found on the tarsi, nor 

 generally very strong. 



The four eyes, which represent the posterior row in most other 

 spider, are much the largest, and always form a large quad- 

 rangular figure on the upper side of the caput, while those of 

 the anterior row are very much smaller, and form a short, 

 straight, or slightly curved, transverse row near the base of 

 the falces. It is usual, however, to refer to the eyes of the 

 Lycosides as in three transverse rows, 4.2.2. 



The maxilla are strong, moderately long, straight, never 

 inclined to the labium, which last is longer than broad, and 

 obtusely truncated at its apox. 



The spiders of this family spin no snare, but catch their prey 

 either by leaping upon it suddenly, or sometimes by fairly run- 

 ning it down. They aro very active, and are usually found on 

 the surface of the ground, or at the base of herbage and low 

 plants, though sometimes they may be found on furze bushes 



