HISTORY OF INSECTS. 75 



does the patient creature renew the task, and 

 never fails to accomplish it at last : but if a large 

 or immovable stone obstructs its way, the work 

 is abandoned, and a more suitable spot selected, 

 and another hole is forthwith commenced. 



239. The hole is rather more than two inches 

 deep ; the length of the ant-lion is about half an 

 inch. When the hole is ready, the ant-lion buries 

 itself in the sand at the bottom, its jaws alone 

 being visible, and in this position waits quietly 

 the arrival of its prey. 



240. It is not long before an ant, or some 

 other insect, steps on the margin of the pit, either 

 accidentally, or to examine its contents ; the pul- 

 verized sand slides from under its feet, its strug- 

 gles but hasten its descent, and it is precipitated 

 headlong into the jaws of the concealed devourer. 



241. Sometimes, especially after rain, when 

 the particles of sand adhere to each other, the 

 intruding insect is able to arrest its downward 

 progress, and begins to scramble up again ; no 

 sooner does the ant-lion perceive this, than he 

 shovels loads of sand on his head, and throws 

 them with such skill on the poor ant, or whatever 

 insect it may be, that it is soon overcome and 

 carried to the bottom. 



242. The insect, when caught, is pierced by 

 the strong jaws of the ant-lion, and its juices 

 sucked until nothing but an empty shell is left ; 

 this it jerks out of the pit to a considerable 



