426 FOOD OF INSECTS. 



resemblance to a wood-louse, but the outline of the body 

 is more triangular, the anterior part being considerably 

 wider than the posterior : it has six legs, and the mouth 

 is furnished with a forceps consisting of two incurved 

 jaws, which give it a formidable appearance*. If we 

 looked only at its external conformation and habits, we 

 should be apt to conclude it one of the most helpless ani- 

 mals in the creation. Its sole food is the juices of other 

 insects, particularly ants, but at the first view it seems 

 impossible that it should ever secure a single meal. Not 

 only is its pace slow, but it can walk in no other direc- 

 tion than backwards ; you may judge, therefore, what 

 would be such a hunter's chance of seizing an active ant. 

 Nor would a stationary posture be more favourable ; for 

 its grim aspect would infallibly impress upon all wander- 

 ers the prudence of keeping at a respectful distance. 

 What then is to become of our poor ant-lion ? In its ap- 

 petite it is a perfect epicure, never, however great may 

 be its hunger, deigning to taste of a carcase unless it has 

 previously had the enjoyment of killing it ; and then ex- 

 tracting only the finer juices. In what possible way can 

 it contrive to supply such a succession of delicacies, when 

 its ordinary habits seem to unfit it for obtaining even the 

 coarsest provision ? You shall hear. It accomplishes by 

 artifice what all its open efforts would have been unequal 

 to. It digs in loose sand a conical pit, in the bottom of 

 which it conceals itself, and there seizes upon the insects 

 which, chancing to stumble over the margin, are preci- 

 pitated down the sides to the centre. " How wonderful ! " 

 you exclaim : but you will be still more surprised when 



* PLATE XIX. FIG. 8. 



