FOOD OF INSECTS. 433 



m proportion to its width than that of 31. formicarius, 

 and excavated not l)y regular circles, but by throwing 

 out the earth obliquely on all sides. When its trap is 

 finished, it stretches itself near the bottom, remaining 

 stiff and without motion like a piece of wood, and the 

 last segment bent at an angle with the rest so as to 

 form a strong- point of support in the struggles which 

 it often necessarily has with vigorous prey. The mo- 

 ment an insect falls into the pitfall, the larva writhes 

 itself round it like a serpent, transfixes it with its man- 

 dibles, and sucks its juices at its ease. If the insect 

 escapes, the larva casts above it jets of sand with sur- 

 prising rapidity^. 



I am. &c. 



^ Bonnet, ix. 'iU. De Gecr, vi. 168. t. 10. 



VOL. I. 2 F 



