THE MYRMELEONW^. 359 



Moreover, they usually construct a cocoon when they have attained 

 their full growth, and are transformed into quiet and inactive 

 nymphs. The perfect insects have their wings less reticulate 

 than the dragon flies, their eyes are smaller, and the antennae 

 have many articulations. The mandibles are sharp, and the jaws 

 and lip, which are rather narrowed, have long palps upon them. 

 There are two divisions in the family. 



The ant lions which form the genus Myrmelcon have very 

 remarkable habits in the larval condition. 



In some sandy places on little hills which have a sunny aspect 

 it is not uncommon to notice small cavities which have a funnel 

 shape. They are made by the larvae of the ant lion, which are 

 insects of a greyish-red colour having on their sides little col- 

 lections of black hairs ; the front and middle sets of legs project 

 forwards, and the hind ones, which are stronger and not so 

 movable, are kept backwards against the body. These larvae can 

 only walk backwards. In burying themselves in the sand they 

 turn round and round, and throw the grains out from the funnel- 

 shaped hole they make by their twistings, using their large and 

 flat heads like a shovel. The sand as it is thrown over the sides 

 of the hole forms a margin to it, and when all is completed, the 

 ant lion sinks itself at the bottom of the trap in the sand, and 

 only shows its long mandibles. The spot which it'chooses for its 

 dangerous dwelling is usually in the neighbourhood of the 

 dwellings of ants and other insects. The unfortunate ant which 

 happens to tread on the margin of the hole sets some sand off 

 rolling, and it immediately begins to struggle against falling down, 

 but the larva of the ant lion throws some sand upon it, and it 

 soon comes tumbling down to the bottom of the funnel. The 

 ant is immediately seized between the sharp mandibles of the 

 ant lion, which are perforated by tubes, and which allow the 

 bloodthirsty insect to suck the juices of its prey. This perforation 

 of the mandibles is one of the remarkable peculiarities of the 

 organisation of these insects. When the larva becomes fully 

 grown it winds a silken cocoon from a silk gland which, unlike 

 those of the Lepidoptera, is situated at the extremity of the body ; 

 there is not much silk to spare, so a quantity of sand is glued 

 into its walls. The larva lives for about two years, and the 



