Feathers and Feelers 151 



flatter aiul is covered with a coat of bright bluish green 

 that shimmers with a metallic luster, it is a swimmer, 

 but on dry land its mode of progression is virtually the 

 same as its well-known cousin; that is to say, it moves 

 at a fairly rapid pace. However, it does not move too 

 fast for our Cicindela. When it gets barely within a 

 quarter of an inch of that living trap, there is a blur, 

 and with astonishing suddenness both the isopod and 

 the grub vanish utterly from sight. Where they have 

 disappeared is, of course, not hard to guess. Yet so 

 quickly did the larva work that the eye has taken in 

 little of what actually happened to the isopod or the 

 extraordinary maneuver by which it was seized. 



To establish this clearly, therefore, let us resort to 

 a ruse. But as this is the last that will be seen to-day 

 of this particular individual, it will be necessary to 

 employ our wits at another burrow, of which there are 

 plenty. 



First a fly or some other small insect must be ob- 

 tained. This is but a matter of a moment. A dead 

 marsh miller lying near by suits the purpose exactly. 

 Then, breaking off a dry reed, we fasten a fine thread 

 at the tip. At the free end of the thread a noose is 

 made and drawn around the fore body of the moth. 

 The result, in short, is a miniature fishing pole and line 

 baited and ready for use. Thus equipped, we establish 

 ourselves at a likely spot and wait. Our subject soon 

 appears at the top of a convenient hole, and with a 

 cautious turn of the wrist the dangling corpse is low^ered 

 over the lurking larva's head. Snap! The swinging 

 bait is struck so forcibly that the impact nearly tears it 

 loose. The sharp-pointed pincers, however, close with 



