A REVISION OF THE PISAURIDAE OF THE UNITED STATES 9g 
Fig. 2 Epigynum of Dolomedes trition (Walckenaer ). 
In the Pisauridae the epigynum is well developed and consists of three 
parts; a median lobe or guide (m.J1.) and more or less well developed lateral 
lobes (1.1-1.1.) with chitinized inner margins. The openings of the internal 
reproductive organs are concealed by the inner margins of the lateral lobes 
and are reached by the curved embolus of the male. 
In some species, D.tenebrosusandD.okefinokensis, 
the median lobe is highly developed and forms the larger part of 
tHeVepilayuunlMmOtersD wsicimiplulls, Dial lin ehuisvetes ity is 
inclosed by the lateral lobes which unite across the front and converge 
posteriorly. 
Family relationships. ‘The pisaurids have as their nearest rela- 
tives in North America the spiders of the families Lycosidae and 
Agelenidae. They have only recently been separated from the 
former although the arrangement of the eyes and possession of the 
tibial apophysis immediately distinguishes them. The members of 
both the Pisauridae and Lycosidae have the distal margin of the 
trochanters broadly notched beneath, a characteristic lacking in the 
Agelenidae. In the Agelenidae the hind spinnerets are usually longer 
than the fore, and sheet webs are laid for the capture of prey. The 
pisaurids in our fauna capture their prey by stalking, and confine 
their use of silk to the drag line, egg sac and nursery web. 
The pisaurid egg sac has a continuous covering of silk and is 
carried in the chelicera; that of the Lycosidae is composed of two 
valves and is dragged from the spinnerets until the young are hatched 
and, in some cases, transferred to the back of the mother. 
