100 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



the work it is about, and in this always selects a 

 soil composed of fine, loose, and dry sand, well aware 

 that, as we shall presently see, no other would be 

 fit for its purpose. Generally it chooses such a soil 

 under the shelter of an old wall, where the rain 

 cannot easily penetrate and ruin its work. In so 

 doing it shows its wisdom ; for thither, when the 

 heat of the sun is great, or when the rain-drops fall 

 heavily, crowds of insects come for shelter, and 

 fall into its cruel embrace. 



The site being chosen, the next important step 

 is to mark out the bounds of its habitation, and 

 with this view the insect begins digging a circular 

 ditch, walking backwards until it has completed 

 the circle. This defines the outer limits of its 



Circular Ditch of the Ant-lion. 



trap, and is a sort of guide line to it in its future 

 operations. Then it sets about the more proper 

 task of excavating its trap. Would that our readers 

 could see this insect at work ! Of all the wonder- 



