THE ANT~L10\ 



211 



Gnih of the Ji\t-Lion vmgni/ied^ with one per/id Trcp, 

 and another begun. 



loose sand, it has been repeatedly observed con- 

 structing its trap of various dimensions, from one to 

 three inches in diameter, according to circumstances. 

 When it intends to make one of considerable diame 

 ter, it proceeds as methodically as the most skil- 

 ful architect or engineer amongst ourselves. It 

 first examines the nature of the soil, whether it be 

 sufficiently dry and fine for its purpose, and if 

 so, it begins by tracing out a circle, where the 

 mouth of its funnel-trap is intended to be. Having 

 thus marked the limits of its pit, it proceeds to 

 scoop out the interior. Getting within the circle, 

 and using one of its legs as a shovel, it places there- 

 with a load of sand on tlie flat part of its head, and 

 it throws tlie whole with a jerk some inches beyond 

 the circle. It is worthv of remark that it onlv uses 



