Page:The spiders of the northern states-1901.djvu/30

 CRAB SPIDERS.—7THOMISIDA.

These spiders spin no web, but cast a few, stray threads. They live under leaves, in flowers or on fences waiting for their victims. The white, round, flat spider nests on the under side of leaves are their cocoons, which the mother watches till the young are hatched. The two first pairs of legs are longer than the rest; the second being generally the longest, while the two last pairs are very small. Their move- ments are crab-like, backwards and sideways.

The Thomiside differ considerably in the position and size of their eyes and have been therefore divided into many genera. In Xysticus, Synema, Tmarus and Thomisus the outside eyes or lower row are larger, protruding or elevated; in the others the eyes are nearly equal in size, or the two in lower middle row are smaller.

Eyes OF THOMISIDA.

Thomisus. Tibellus

Aysticus. “Al” Philodromus. ‘o122 Synema. “t Thanatus.

Tmarus. So" Sparassus. “is Misumena. "5" Ocypete.