Page:The spiders of the northern states-1901.djvu/39

 THE COBWEB SPIDERS.—7HERIDIDAZ.

Mostly small spiders which have their eyes in a close bunch on their foreheads, somewhat distant from their mouth. Their legs are long and slender; the first and second, or the first and fourth pairs being the longest. Their nets consist mostly of a horizontal bag under which they watch, hanging by their legs, back downwards. This bag is connected with all near objects by threads running irregularly in all directions. The net often occupies a considerable space in which they suspend their egg-sacks. Some kinds live in the net by pairs.

The family is very large and has been divided into many genera. It contains our smallest spiders.

BSE Theridium. Breast part as broad as long. Body part round, globular. Legs long and Qa slender, covered with short hair.

339 Mimetus. Breast part narrower than long. Body part widest in front, pointed behind. Legs long, beset with spines. es

Bon,

(C2 Ero. Breast part highest in the middle. Body part egg-shaped. Legs beset with spines.

00

CB

oo 8 ®2° — Steatoda. Breast part broader than long. Body part oval, smooth and shiny. Legs shorter B08 and stouter than 7heridium.

Asagena. Like Steatoda, but body hairy and flattened.

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