ANT-LIONS 



cocoon is formed. When nature stirs within the un- 

 gainly grub the strange and resistless impulse to trans- 

 form, it builds for itself a round cocoon in the sand. 

 The gummy liquid silk which it exudes adheres to the 

 grains and binds them together into a little ball. Here- 

 in the larva pupates; and thence the pupa issues, a 

 graceful, winged insect. When food is plentiful the 

 larva soon reaches its full growth and forms its cocoon. 

 But if ants are scarce and it is scantily fed, the ant- 

 lion's development is retarded, and the beautiful imago 

 life postponed or never attained. This, indeed, is a 

 law of nature that rules the development of all young 

 creatures, man not excepted. The lack of fitting nurt- 

 ure in early life, whether of body, mind, or morals, can 

 rarely be overcome in later years. 



