22 INSECT BEHAVIOR 



a strange fluid to assist digestion. They move continually about by 

 means of grapnels which enable the animals to progress either for- 

 ward or backward by repeated contractions of their muscles. 



Other animals are attracted by the odor of decay and from far 

 and near they come to seek the cause. Some to their advantage, 

 others to their detriment, for a cannibal lies in wait for them. 



It is a powerful animal, slender and supple-bodied, with a coat of 

 glossy bronze velvet. It is perhaps the most active of all the weird 

 creatures that we have come to know, moving like a flash in response 

 to stimulae. It could not exist were patience a necessity, at least one 

 is so impressed upon observing it. 



There are many tunnels twisting into the carrion, excavated by 

 other creatures, and one of these the cannibal selects for its abode, 

 until the flesh becomes too dry to act as lure. In this grewsome cave 

 the creature rests, its eyes roving and its whole body ready to spring at 

 an instant's notice, which it does upon all who venture within its 

 range. Indeed we have found a veritable dragon in this creature 

 so fiery and ready for battle. Its prey is helpless before the on- 

 slaught and its teeth sink easily through armor. 



Leaping upon the back of its victim, the dragon tears deep into 

 its body, grinding flesh and skeleton, sucking every drop of blood 

 until the broken creature curls, dry like a leaf. In a few seconds 

 the unlucky one has disappeared before our eyes. A minute ago 

 we saw a living creature come to the carrion to stay its appetite. 

 Next we heard a crunching noise and saw a splash of blood. Now 

 there is nothing but the retreating cannibal and we gaze dumb- 

 founded at the spot where the scene was enacted. 



From the lake we journey on, through a wide and heavy section 

 of woodland, on our way to the desert that lies beyond. As we go 

 we have many weird experiences and see many curious sights, but 

 lack of time prevents their proper observation. We must reach the 



