THE ANT-LION. 185 



ture. The pupal skin then withers, burstsj and the perfect insect 

 emerges. Scarcely has it taken the first few breaths of air, than 

 its abdomen, which before was. short, so as to be included within 

 the cocoon, extends to nearly three times its original length, so 

 as to resemble that of the dragon-fly ; , the curious antennae unroll 

 themselves, the wings shake out by degrees -their beautiful folds, 

 and in a short time the lovely insect is ready for flight. It is 

 scarcely possible to imagine a more complete contrast than that 

 which is exhibited by the larva and the perfect insect, and if the 

 two were placed side by side, no one who was not aware of the 

 circumstances would think that they are but two stages of the 

 same insect. 



If the reader will refer to the illustration on page 148, he will 

 see a section of the pitfall, with the Ant-lion at the bottom, and 

 a couple of ants falling into the trap. The Ant-lion belongs to 

 the same order of insects as the dragon-fly, which it so much re- 

 sembles.' 



