NEUROPTERA. — MYRMELEONIDZ. 43 
a being the labial palpus, d the mandible, and e the maxilla i 
situ; and fig.63.11. represents the maxilla partially, and jig. 63. 12. 
entirely, extracted from its groove in the mandible); the legs are long 
and slender, the two anterior pair being directed forwards ; but the 
posterior pair are shorter and stronger (ig. 63. 15.), so affixed to the 
body that they are not able to assist in progression, but are constantly 
employed in drawing the insect backwards, which is, in fact, its only 
motion ; the ungues being much stronger than in the anterior legs; 
and the tarsus (fig. 63.15. e.) soldered to the tibia (fig. 63.15. d.), 
whereby greater power is given the limb.* This peculiarity has not 
been previously noticed. This formation, together with its slow 
movements and its carnivorous habits, renders the construction of a 
snare necessary for the support of the insect. Some larvae of the 
common species, M. formicaleo, which I brought alive to this country 
from France, afforded me ample opportunities for watching their pro- 
ceedings; and of which I have published a notice in Mag. Nat. Hist., 
Nov. 1838. It is in very fine sand that the larva makes its pitfall. 
When placed upon the surface, it bends down the extremity of the 
body (as in jig. 63.8.), and then pushing, or rather dragging, itself 
backwards by the assistance of its hind legs, but more particularly of 
the deflexed extremity of its body +; it gradually insinuates itself 
into, and beneath the sand, constantly throwing off the particles which 
fall upon, or which it shovels with its jaws or legs upon its head, by 
suddenly jerking them backwards, 
“ Ossaque post tergum magne jactata parentis.” 
Proceeding in this manner, in a spiral direction, it gradually dimin- 
ishes the diameter of its path, and by degrees throws so much of 
the sand away, as to form a conical pit, at the bottom of which 
it then conceals itself, its mandibles widely extended, being the 
only parts that appear above the surface {| (fig. 63. 7. a small pit- 
fall) ; with these, any luckless insect that may happen to fall down the 
hole is immediately seized and killed. When the fluids of the victim 
are exhausted, the ant lion, by a sudden jerk, throws the dry carcass 
* In the fore leg the tarsus is articulated ( fig. 63. 9. e.) 
+ Reaumur states that it is able to creep almost as well when its legs are all cut 
off as when present, the abdomen being the chief means by which its motions are 
effected, . 
¢{ Mr. Guilding states that those larvae which dig pitfalls are furnished with 
antennule (above described), which are held erect, and are doubtless useful in in- 
dicating the approach of their prey by the falling of the sand; in the lary of the 
Asealaphi they are wanting or obscure. 
