416 THE PHILOSOPHY 



dom exhibits more than the top of its head. In digging a 

 funnel, the formica-leo begins with tracing a circular furrow 

 in the fand, the circumference of which determines the fize ^ 

 of the funnel, which is often an inch deep. After the firft 

 furrow is made, the anim4 traces a fecond, which is always 

 concentric with the firft. It throws out the fand, as with a 

 Ihovel, from the fucceffive furrows or circles, by means of its 

 fquare flat head and one of its fore-legs. It proceeds in this 

 inanner till it has completed its funnel, which it does with 

 furprifing promptitude and addrefs. At the bottom of this 

 artful fnare it lies concealed and immoveable. When an ant 

 happens to make too near an approach to the margin of the 

 funnel, the fides of which are very fteep, the fine fand give? 

 way, and the unwary aniqial tumbles down to the bottom. 

 The formica-leo inftantly kills the ant, buries it under the 

 fand, and fucks out its vitals. It afterwards puihes out the 

 ^mpty ikin, repairs the diforder introduced into its fnare, 

 and again lies in ambufh for a frefli prey. 



We formerly took fome notice of that fpecies of fpider 

 which carries her eggs in a bag attached to her belly. A 

 fpider of this kind was thrown into the funnel of a formica- 

 loe. The latter inftantly feized the bag of eggs, and endeav- 

 oured to drag it under the fand. The fpider from a ftrong 

 love of offspring, allowed its own body to be carried along 

 with the bag. But the flender filk by which it was fixed to 

 the animal's belly broke, and a feparation took place. The 

 fpider immediately feized the bag with her pincers, and exert- 

 ed all her efforts to regain the objecft of her affections. But 

 thefe efforts were ineffecflual •, for the formica-leo gradually 

 funk the bag deeper and deeper in the fand. The fpider, 

 however, rather than quit her hold, allowed herfelf to be bu- 

 ried alive. In a fhort time, the obferver removed the fand, 

 and took out the fpider. She was perfecTtly unhurt ; for the 

 formica-leo had not made any attack upon her. But, f© 



