210
THE SPIDERS OF EPPING FOREST.
longer than those of the third and fourth pairs, but seldom greatly so. Claw
tufts are usually well-developed. Abdomen usually somewhat short, often
broader behind than in front. Spinners very short and compact.
The spiders of this family are usually found upon shrubs
and trees. They spin no snare but capture their prey by stealth.
In their movements they are very similar to the Thomisidae, but
their rate of progression is much greater, and they are con-
sequently somewhat difficult to capture. If a specimen be held
by a single leg, it will at once escape by parting company with
the imprisoned member.
TABLE OF PHILODROMIDAE.
1. Cephalo-thorax wider than long. Legs IV. longest .. Thanatus
Cephalo-thorax as long as, or longer than wide. Legs II.
longest .. .. .. .. 2
2. Cephalo-thorax about as wide as long. Eyes of posterior
row nearly equidistant .. .. .. Philodromus
Cephalo-thorax considerably longer than wide. Posterior
lateral eyes widely separated from the central .. Tibellus
Genus TIBELLUS, Simon.
The long and narrow cephalo-thorax and abdomen and the
arrangement of the eyes will be quite sufficient to identify this
genus. It contains one species which is not common, but widely
distributed in Epping Forest.
Tibellus oblongus, Walck. Occurs in several localities,
amongst coarse grass and rushes. It often rests with its four
anterior legs stretched forward, and the posterior backwards
upon a dry grass blade or sedge, and in that position is only
detected with great difficulty.
Genus THANATUS, C. L. Koch.
Thanatus striatus, C. L. Koch, is not uncommon in Britain,
and T. formicinus, Clk., has also been taken, but neither has, up
to the present, occurred in the Forest.
Genus PHILODROMUS, Walck.
This genus includes a considerable number of British
spiders which are found, as a rule, upon trees and shrubs, and
usually obtained by beating. They run with great rapidity, and
in a peculiarly erratic manner. Epping Forest seems to be
unexpectedly poor in these spiders, only three species having
been recorded.
Philodromus aureolus, Clk. This species occurs in pro-
fusion in many parts of the Epping Forest. There is a very