THE SPIDERS OF EPPING FOREST. 51
SECTION ARANEOMORPHAE (see Vol. xii., p. 192).
Family DYSDERIDAE.
[Dysderidae, Cambr. List, ad. partem.]
Cephalo-thorax varies in different genera: median stria very minute or
absent. Eyes 6, homogeneous, of the nocturnal type, nearly equal, in a more
or less compact group. Ocular area broader than long, narrower than the caput.
Clypeus narrow. Falces articulated so as to permit of motion in an oblique or
else in a horizontal plane, robust, more or less attenuated: basal protuberance
absent: fang long, more or less robust: fang-groove margins dentated. Labium
free, much longer than wide, recurved laterally, parallel sided or a little attenuated,
always truncated at the summit, often even a little excavated. Sternum elongate
oval, strongly impressed laterally, attenuated in front, always passing beyond the
point of insertion of coxae I., posteriorly more or less obtuse between coxae IV.,
which are somewhat separated. Maxillae long and straight, not inclined, wide and
more or less convex from base to insertion of palpus, then strongly constricted ex-
ternally, then slightly dilated, obliquely truncated on internal side which is bordered
by a long scopula. Palpus: Female: tarsus longer than tibia and furnished with a
small, simple claw. Male: palpal tibia without apophysis; palpal organs simple
and quite exposed. Legs usually rather robust and remarkable for the length of
coxae and patellae I. and II.: Tarsal claws 2 or 3, pectinate, the teeth being
almost always more numerous in legs I. and II.: inferior claws when present
almost always unarmed: onychium usually absent. Abdomen elongate oval, or
almost cylindrical, its integument very soft. Tube-tracheal openings 2, very
distinct, situated not for from the laminal tracheae and somewhat oblique.
Spinners short, forming a compact group, inferiors very close, consisting of a
stout basal joint and a conical terminal joint: superiors very similar in structure
to inferiors: cribellum absent. Female genital aperture simple, without special
armature.
The Dysderidae spin no snare, but conceal themselves in
silken tubes. The sexual differences are slight. Three very
distinct genera are represented in this country, and may be
separated by means of the following table.
TABLE OF DYSDERIDAE.
1. Ocular area not much broader than long. Integument between
the coxae strongly chitinised. Coxae somewhat globular.
Tarsal claws 2 or 3. Tarsus of female palpus somewhat
oval. Median spinners almost as long as inferior ones.
Abdomen, grey, unicolorous .. .. .. 2
Ocular area much broader than long. Integument between
the coxae normal. Coxae cylindrical. Tarsal claws 3.
Tarsus of female palpus cylindrical. Median spinners
slender, and much shorter than inferior ones. Abdomen
with a pattern .. .. .. .. Segestria
2. Eyes arranged in the form of a horse-shoe, the anteriors well
separated. Tarsal claws 2. Cephalo-thorax red or liver-
coloured .. .. .. .. ... Dysdera