II FOOD OF INSECTS 67 



object is to conceal itself, to do which it adopts a 

 well-laid plan, for though it appears inert and help- 

 less it is no bungled performance of nature as some 

 foolish persons would have us to believe. On the 

 contrary, its structure is exactly what is required to 

 render it competent to capture living and active 

 delicacies. 



Choosing a fine light sandy soil, little exposed 

 except to the sun, and generally in the neighbourhood 

 of trees where ants are likely to have set up house, 

 the Ant-Lion vigorously proceeds to construct its 

 snare. It begins by pushing itself backwards in a 

 circular direction so as to trace a shallow furrow vary- 

 ing from one to three inches in diameter. A succession 

 of these furrows is formed one within the other, each 

 being of course smaller than the previous one, and the 

 larva with its broad shovel-like head scoops up and 

 throws out the sand beyond the limits of its precincts. 

 By this means a conical or funnel-shaped pit is at last 

 completed, of no great depth but with very loose sides. 

 The insect's labour being over, it ensconces itself at the 

 bottom of the trap in the sand, leaving its enormous 

 jaws alone exposed and widely extended. Here it 

 sits in crafty motionless vigilance, in wait for what 

 may come. 



Ants, like monkeys and children, are distinguished 

 for an insatiable curiosity, and should one spy the cavity 

 when it is abroad on the out-look for food it would 

 never hesitate to approach the edge. Its satisfaction 

 seals its doom. It gets a glimpse of the ogre, and in 

 vain it endeavours to retreat, for the treacherous sand 

 gives way beneath its weight, and the hapless thing 



F 2 



