118 



ANIMALIA ARTICULATA. 



three hooks, of which two only are dentelated like a comb. 

 Eyes smooth and glistening in the dark. Two genera. 



Genus Mygale, Walck. 



Eight eyes situated at the extremity of the thorax and ge- 

 nerally very close together; four pulmonary pouches ; hairs 

 on the tarsi concealing the hooks. These are often called 

 Crab-Spiders ; their bites are considered dangerous ; the 

 Mygale Avicularia will destroy a Humming Bird. The My- 

 gale Csementaria, or mason, is remarkable for its industry ; 

 it digs subterranean galleries, one or two feet deep, in decli- 

 vities, or places secure from inundation; these galleries it 

 lines with fine silk, closing up the entrance by means of a 

 solid trap, which fits with a hinge to the opening ; this trap 

 shuts of its own accord and closes the dwelling of the inge- 

 nious animal. 



Genus Aranea, Lin. 



Never more than two pulmonary pouches ; contains two 

 tribes. 



Tribe of Sedentary Jlranex. 



These weave webs ; or at least cast abroad threads to sur- 

 prise their prey, and always remain in these traps or their 

 vicinity, as well as near their eggs. 



Subgenus Clotho, Walck. 



Eyes arranged in a triangle. These Spiders attach to 

 stones a kind of tent, the exterior of which resembles the 

 finest taffety; it is composed, according to the age of the 

 animal, of a greater or less number of layers ; the top of the 

 stone within is furnished with a kind of carpet of extreme 

 whiteness and softness. An imperceptible window, produced 

 by the separation of two portions of the exterior envelope cross- 

 ing each other, serves as a gate to the dwelling. 



Subgenus Aranea proper. 



Eyes arranged in a slightly curved line. These construct 

 in the interior of our houses, in angles of walls, upon plants, 

 hedges, and often upon road sides, either in the earth or under 

 stones, an angular web, to the upper part of which is a tube 



