MYRMELEONID^ — ANT-LIONS. 141 



Myrmeleonidae — Ant-lions. 



When children meet with the funnel-shaped pitfalls of the 

 larva of the Ant-lion, Myrmeleon formicales, they are wont 

 to put their heads close to the ground and softly sing ooloo- 

 ooloo-ooloo, till the larva, mistaking the sound for that of a 

 fly escaping his trap, throws up a shower of sand to bring 

 its supposed victim down again. 



Ant-lions are held in great esteem in many sections of our 

 country, so much so that they are not suffered to be in any 

 way injured. 



13* 



