HUNTING— FISHING — WARS AND EXPEDITIONS. 21 



height sufficient for the top of its head to be level 

 with the surface of the soil, and to close the opening 

 of the hole. (Fig. i.) A little insect — an ant, a 

 young beetle, or something similar — passes. As soon 

 as it begins to walk on the head of the larva, the 

 latter letting go its hold of the wall allows itself to 

 fall to the bottom of the trap, dragging its victim with 

 it. In this narrow prison it is easily able to obtain 

 the mastery over its prey, and to suck out the liquid 

 parts. ^ 



Fig. I. 



The Staphilinus Ccesareus acts with still greater 

 shrewdness ; not only is his pit more perfect, but he 

 takes care to remove all traces of preceding repasts 

 which might render the place obviously one of 

 carnage. He chooses a stone, beneath which he 

 hollows a cylindro-conical hole with extremely 

 smooth walls. This hole is not to serve as a trap^ 



1 Lamarck, Histoire des Animaux sans Vertebres, 2^ Edition, 

 183s, p. 676. 



