182 ' IXSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



flesh maggot. The den which it constructs is in the form 

 of a funnel, the sides of which are composed of sand or 

 loose earth. It forms this pitfall of considerable depth, 

 by throwing out the earth obliquely on all sides ; and when 

 its trap is finished, it stretches itself along the bottom, 

 remaining stiff and motionless, like a piece of wood. The 

 last segment of the body is bent at an angle with the rest, 

 so as to form a strong point of support in the struggles 

 which it must often have to encounter with vigorous prey. 

 The instant that an insect tumbles into the pitfall, the 

 grub pounces upon it, writhes itself round it like a serpent, 

 transfixes it with its jaws, and sucks its juices at its ease. 

 Should the prey by any chance escape, the gi'ub hurls up 

 jets of sand and earth, with astonishing rapidity and force, 

 and not unfrequently succeeds in again precipitating it to 

 the bottom of its trap. 



The Ant-Lion. 



The observations of the continental naturalists have 

 made known to us a pitfall constructed hy an insect, the 

 details of whose operations are exceedingly curious ; we 

 refer to the grub of the ant-lion (Mijnndeon fonnicarius), 

 which, though marked by Dr. Turton and Mr. Stewaii; as 

 British, has not (at least of late years) been found in this 

 country. As it is not, however, uncommon in France and 

 Switzerland, it is probable it may yet be discovered in 

 some spot hitherto imexplored, and if so, it will well 

 reward the search of the curious. 



The ant-lion grub being of a grey colour, and having 

 its body composed of rings, is not unlike a wood-louse 

 (Oniscus), though it is larger, more triangular, has only 

 six legs, and most formidable jaws, in form of a reaping- 

 hook, or a pair of calliper compasses. These jaws, how- 

 ever, are not for masticating, but are perforated and 

 tubular, for the purpose of sucking the juices of ants upon 

 which it feeds. Vallisnieri was therefore mistaken, as 

 Eeaumur well remarks, when he supposed that he had 

 discovered its mouth. Its habits require that it should 

 walk backwaids, and this is the only species of locomo- 



