You-ee-up. 91 



and middle legs, and the backward prolongation of the 

 stronger and less movable hind ones, which eminently adapts 

 them to a backward manner of walking, are characters which 

 so deeply impress, that we cannot fail to call up, when occa- 

 sion demands, the possessor of so wonderful a mechanism. 



Now that you have become familiar with the odd creature 

 in form and in mien, set him once more upon his proud realm 

 of sand, and seat yourself on the bank close by to watch 

 and enjoy his curious behavior. In a minute or two his 





YOU-EE-UP IN HIS DEN. 

 As He Appears in Youth and Old Age. 



fears will have subsided, and he in control again of his accus- 

 tomed indifference. See, he moves. Round and round he 

 turns in the loose grey sand, burying himself deeper and 

 deeper, and throwing the grains out from the hole he has 

 made by his twistings, using his short, flat head for a shovel. 

 The sand, as it is thrown over the side of the burrow, forms 

 quite a margin, and when all is completed the Ant-lion sinks 

 himself deep into the bottom of the trap he has digged, 

 leaving only the tips of his mandibles in sight, which are 

 extended and ready to seize any insect that is so luckless as 

 to fall into their reach. 



