DESCRIPTION OF GENERA AND SPECIES. 1938 
Moreoyer, the eyes of Marxia are removed from the margin of the clypeus by a space 
equal to four or more times their diameter, making a high clypeus; whereas in Hpeira the 
midfront eyes are close to the clypeus margin, not being separated usually more than 2 or 
2.5 diameters, and often less, making thus a low clypeus. Further, both eye rows are 
decidedly procuryed, which is the case with the front row of Epeira alone. Again, the 
typical species of Marxia is distinguished from the typical Epeira by the peculiar furry 
covering of the caput and margin of the cephalothorax, and especially of the abdomen. 
The latter organ is so closely covered that the skin is entirely concealed in parts thereof. 
Moreoyer, the skin of the abdomen is marked by symmetrically arranged rows of hard, 
smooth circular spots or dimples, resembling those which are found in Acrosoma, Upon 
these differences I found the genus Marxia; the diagnosis in other respects corresponding 
with that of Epeira. 
No. 50. Marxia stellata (Walckenaer). Plate XII, Figs. 4, 5. 
1805. Plectana stellata, WatcKENAER . . Tabl. d’Aran., p. 65, - 54. 
1837. Plectana stellata, WaLcKENAER . . Ins, Apt., ii, 171. (BoSc, Carolina Spiders.) 
1850. peira stellata, Hentz... ... J. B.S., p. 22; Id. Sp. U.S., p. 125, xiv., 12. 
1864. Hpeira stellata, Knysmruina . . . Beschr. n. Orbitel., p. 140, vi. 24, 25. 
1884. Epeira stellata, Emerton ... . N. E. Ep., 819, xxxiv., 17; xxxvii., 3, 4, 5. 
1889. peira stellata, McCook. .... Amer. Spiders and their Spinningwork, Vol. I. 
1890. peira stellata, Marx ...... Catalogue, p. 548. 
Fremate: Length varies in adults, but described specimen measures 12 mm.; cephalo- 
thorax, 5 mm. long, 4 mm, wide; abdomen, 11 mm. long, 9 mm. wide, measuring from the 
tips of the cones in front and rear. 
CrpHatornorax: A rounded oval, truncated and indented at the base, high in the 
middle, sharply sloping from crest to base; caput squarely truncate at base, well arched to 
the head, which is much elevated and bulging at the sides, forming low humps; fosse a 
lateral pit; color varying from reddish brown to yellowish brown, and provided, partic- 
ularly along the head and margin of the clypeus, with thick, golden yellow, plumelike hairs. 
The sternum is shield shaped, rather rounded at the edges, somewhat longer than wide; 
with sternal cones; elevated and flat in the middle; heavily clothed with strong, yellowish 
white, bristlelike hairs; color brown, with a broad median patch of yellow or yellowish 
brown. Labium subtriangular, half the height of the maxille, which are rounded on the 
outer margins and bluntly triangular on the tips; as wide as or wider than long; color 
brown, with yellowish tips. 
Eyes: Ocular quad on a high prominence; glossy yellowish brown, smooth within the 
eye space, but covered at the base with plumelike golden yellow hairs, which extend along 
the face, and are longer and stronger at the margin of the clypeus, a heavy cluster marking 
the middle point thereof. The quad is somewhat narrower behind than in front, where it 
is about equal to the sides in length; MF separated by about two diameters, MR by about 
1.5; slightly smaller and on black bases; side eyes on the outer side of strong tubercles, 
separated by their radius or more; of nearly equal size, though SF appears somewhat 
larger.' Both rows are procurved; the clypeus is high, the margin being separated from 
MF by 1.3 their area, or at least 2.5 times their intervening space. The distance between 
MF and SF is twice the area of MF. 
Lras: 1, 2, 4,3; color yellow, with dark brown wide median and apical annuli; clothed 
with hairs and bristles, and rather sparsely with strong, rather short, yellowish spines, par- 
ticularly on the basal joints. The palps are stout, armed and colored as the legs; the 
mandibles conical, wide, arched at the base, which project beyond the margin of the 
clypeus, and are covered with short white hairs similar to those on the face; color dark 
glossy brown. 
‘In the specimen the rear eye is lacking upon one side, but the normal number is upon the other. 
