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DRASSIDiE. 
Family DRASSIDiE. 
The Drassidce have a geographical range extending over a large portion of the earth ; 
their falces are articulated either on an inclined plane or vertically, and their abdomen is 
terminated by three pairs of spinners, and has two branchial opercula on the under side. In 
much the greater number of species the tarsi are provided with two claws, and have numerous 
hair-like papilla? distributed upon their inferior surface, or forming a scopula at their 
extremity; but in a few instances they are furnished with three claws, and are destitute of 
hair-like papillae. 
The spiders of this family conceal themselves in silken cells, which they construct among 
the leaves of plants, in the crevices of rocks and walls, and under stones, and the exfoliating 
bark of aged trees ; they run actively in pursuit of the insects which constitute their food, 01 
take them by surprise; but one species, the Aryyroneta aqmtica of authors, lives habitually 
in the water of ditches and pools, pursuing its prey by swimming, and even constructing its 
dome-shaped cell and depositing its eggs beneath the surface of that liquid, being enabled to 
respire when immersed by the supply of air contained among the hairs which densely co\er 
the inferior surface of its abdomen. 
Genus DRASSUS ( Walckenaer ). 
Eyes arranged in two transverse rows on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax ; they do 
not differ materially in size. 
Maxillae long, inclined or curved towards the lip. 
Lip long, somewhat oval, and rounded or obtuse at the extremity. 
Leys robust, varying in their relative length in different species. 
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