114 CRABS AND INSECTS. 
Ant-Lion (4@yrmeleon).—The ant-lion in its complete 
state resembles a small dragon-fly. The eggs are laid in 
dry, sandy places, the young larve when hatched excavat- 
ing a pitfall by whirling their bodies about, and throwing 
the sand out (Fig. 137). The pit complete, the ant-lion 
Fic. 137.—Ant-lion. Adult, and larve, the forceps of one showing at the 
bottom of the pitfall. 
conceals itself at the bottom, only its forceps appearing, 
ready to grasp the ants that tumble in. This hunting life 
is led for two years, when it envelops itself in a round 
ball of sand and silk, and in three weeks breaks out a per- 
fect insect. 
Note.—The aphis-lion (CArysopa) lays eggs that mimic delicate 
plants or fungi. They appear growing from the ground attached to 
stalks, and are placed near food adapted to the young. 
White-Ants (Zermitide).—These insects in North 
America are generally of four kinds: winged kings and 
queens, and soldiers and workers that are wingless. The 
workers are the smallest and youngest, and build the nest, 
attend the queen, young, etc. The soldiers are those that 
have undergone the first metamorphosis.* They have large 
* Packard considers the soldiers and workers specialized forms, 
