432 FOOD OF iNSECtS. 



his jaws, which are admirable instruments, at the same 

 time hooked for holding, and hollow, furnished with a 

 lateral piston, for sucking, and at his leisure extract- 

 ing all the juices of the body, regales upon formic acid. 

 The dry carcase he subsequently jerks out of his den. 

 that it may not incumber him in his future contests, or 

 betray the " horrid secrets of his prison-house:" and 

 if the sides of the pit have received any damage, he 

 leaves his concealment for awhile to repair it; which 

 having done, he resumes his station. 



In this manner in its larva state this insect lives 

 nearly two years, during all which time it receives no 

 food but what has been caught through the artifice 

 above described. Though all living insects are equally 

 acceptable to it, as the winged tribe can easily take 

 flight from its pit should they chance to fall into it, its 

 prey consists chiefly of apterous species, of which ants 

 form by far the largest portion, with occasionally an 

 unwary spider or wood-louse. When the full period of 

 its growth is attained it retires under the sand ; spins 

 with its anus a silken cocoon ; remains a chrysalis a few 

 weeks ; and then breaks forth a four-winged insect re- 

 '^embling, as before observed, the dragon-fly both in 

 appearance and manners, and preying in like manner 

 on moths, butterflies, and other insects =*. 



The larta of Mr/rmeleonformicarius is not the only 

 insect which avails itself of a trap for obtaining its prey. 

 A plan in most respects similar is adopted by that of a 

 fly (Rhag'io Vcrmiho, F.) in form somewhat resem- 

 ])ling the common flesh maggot. This also digs a fun- 

 nel-shaped cavity in loose earth or sand, but deeper 



• Reaum. vi. 333-78. Bonnet, ii. 3S0. 



