Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
The Arthrogastra of North America have scarcely been studied except in two or three families, the principal part of the American literature consisting of scattered notes and descriptions. Two or three more pretentious papers have been published by Wood, Putnam and Hagen. A broad field for study is open for future investigators. In order to call attention to the group and secure such co-operation of collectors as may be possible, the following preliminary list of twenty genera and fifty-nine species has been prepared. A few forms are added from Lower California and Cuba which will probably be found within the limits of the United States. Additions and corrections to the list are solicited, as well as specimens from all parts of the country, for which a suitable return will be made.
page 165 note * I have omitted from the list DeGeer's species, S. punctatus, S. maculatus, S. testaceus, S. australis, as unrecognizable.—Cf. Memoirs Insectes, vii., 343-348.
page 166 note * Simon reunites the genera Chelifer and Chernes, which were separated by Menge, who was followed by L. Koch. He claims that the characters hitherto regarded as generic, are merely gradal, and the while certain widely separated species have these characters clearly marked, in others they gradually approach each other. In deference to American writers I leave them for the present. Cf. Les Arachnides de France, vii., 19 (1879).
page 167 note * This genus has usually been credited to Illiger, but as Simon shows (Les Arachnides de France, vii., 51) it properly belongs to Leach.
page 169 note * Mitopus Thorell is joined to Oligolophus C. Koch by Simon, Les Arachnides de France, vii., 239 (1879).