368 INSECTS ABROAD. 



obtained to the basal floor of tlie mill, which is covered with a 

 layer of impalpable sand — the residuum, no doubt, of the water 

 that shot upon it when the wheel was in operation. The floor- 

 ing planks of the upper level have been removed, leaving only 

 the rafters ; and the walls of the mill consist now of scarcely 

 more than the posts and beams, so that sufficient light descends 

 to the lower level notwithstanding its depth. 



" Here I found many little conical pits in the tine sand, which 

 upon examination proved to be the traps formed by the grubs of 

 a species of Ant Lion [Myrmdeon) and inhabited by them. The 

 appearance of the crafty insect, its motionless vigilance at the 

 bottom of its den, the curved tubular jaws expanded to their 

 utmost stretch, and the broad body concealed in the sand; the 

 alertness displayed when an unfortunate ant slipped over the 

 edge, the struggles of the prey to escape, the reiterated showers 

 of sand vigorously cast up from the head of the expectant Giant 

 Grim, and falling on the miserable victim ; and the slow but 

 sure sliding down of the latter, until the formidable jaws closed 

 upon it — I observed with intense pleasure, not only for the 

 interest attached to so curious an example of insect cunning, 

 but also for that of repeating observations long ago made in 

 a distant part of the world, and, no doubt, on another species. 

 The manners of these Jamaican Ant Lions agreed minutely with 

 those of the Myrnieleoyi formicarms of the South of France, 

 as recorded by the accurate Eeaumur. 



" The singularity of the spot chosen in this case for the exhi- 

 bition of the stratagem strikes one at first sight : but, on reflec- 

 tion, we perceive that this very circumstance is but a further 

 display of unerring instinct ; for the frail pits on which the 

 insect's success depends would be filled up and effaced by a 

 breath of wind, spoiled by a shower of rain, and destroyed, with 

 their ingenious architects, by a passing footstep of man or beast. 

 The depth of this locality was a protection against the first 

 contingency, its inaccessibility precluded the last, while rain 

 was kept off by the remaining roof of the building ! 



" How inexhaustible are the resources of Divine wisdom, when 

 the outgoings of it in the meanest insects are so wonderful ! 



" I took two or three of the grubs into the house, and put 

 them into a small box partially filled with sand, hoping to 

 witness the construction of the })itfall. They soon began to 



