THE LION-WORM. 



227 



CH. XIII. J 



the form of a large and beautiful fly, very closely 

 resembling the dragon-fly, which, after it has for 

 some time continued immoveable and apparently 

 astonished at the prospect of nature, flutters its 

 wings and enjoys a liberty unknown to it in its 

 former obscure condition. And as it has cast off 

 the spoils and cumbersome weight of its first form, 

 so is it likewise divested of its barbarity and per- 

 nicious inclinations ; it comes forth an entirely new 

 creature, full of gayety, alacrity, and vigour, and 

 graced with a noble and majestic air. It then pro- 

 ceeds to deposite an egg in some sandy spot ; from 

 this egg an ant-lion emerges, which in its turn be- 

 comes changed into a fly. 



The lion-worm (Leptis) is a curious and voracious 

 little creature, having a tapering form; the head 

 being more pointed than the tail. Its instincts are 

 very similar to those of the ant-lion ; for, like that 

 formidable insect, it makes a species of cavity in 

 the loose earth, and there waits in ambuscade for its 

 prey. A portion of its body lies concealed under 

 the sand — the rest stretches across the bottom of the 

 den, and appears so stiff and motionless, that, at first 

 sight, it might be taken for a bit of straw, half an 

 inch in length. If, however, any insect, in search 

 of food, should happen to walk into the cave of the 

 lion-worm, the little morsel of stubble in an instant 

 becomes all animation — falls like a serpent on its 

 prey, and winding its body in coils around its victim, 



