244 FOOD OF INSECTS. 
cipitated headlong into the jaws of the concealed devourer. Sometimes, 
however, it chances that the ant is able to stop itself midway, and with all 
haste scrambles up again. No sooner does the ant-lion perceive this (for, 
being furnished with six eyes on each side of his head, he is sufficiently 
sharp-sighted), than, shaking off his inactivity, he hastily shovels loads of 
sand upon his head, and vigorously throws them up in quick succession 
upon the escaping insect, which, attacked by such a heavy shower from 
below, and treading on so unstable a path, is almost inevitably carried to 
the bottom. ‘The instant his victim is fairly within reach, the ant-lion 
seizes him between his jaws, which are admirable instruments, at the same 
time hooked for holding, and grooved on the inner side, so as to form 
with the adjoining maxilla, which move up and down in the groove, a 
tube for sucking, and at his leisure extracting all the juices of the body, 
regales upon formic acid. The dry carcass he subsequently jerks out of 
his den, that it may not encumber him in his future contests, or betray the 
“horrid secrets of his prison-house:” and if the sides of the pit have re- 
ceived any damage, he Jeaves his concealment for awhile to repair it; which 
having done, he resumes his station. 
In this manner in its larva state this insect lives nearly two years, 
during all which time it receives no food but what has been caught through 
the artifice above described. Though all living insects, for I have fed it 
with flies, are equally acceptable to it, as the winged tribe can easily take 
flight from its pit should they chance to fall into it, its prey consists chiefly 
of apterous species, of which ants form by far the largest portion, with 
occasionally an unwary spider or wood-louse. When the full period’ ofits 
growth is attained, it retires under the sand ; spins with its anus a silken co- 
coon ; remains a chrysalis a few weeks; and then breaks forth a four-winged 
insect, resembling, as before observed, the dragon-fly both in appearance 
_and manners, and preying, in like manner, on moths, butterflies, and other 
insects.1 
The larva of Myrmeleon Formicaleo is not the only insect which avails 
itself of a trap for obtaining its prey. A plan in most respects similar is 
adopted by that of a fly (Leptis Vermileo), in form somewhat resembling 
the common flesh maggot. This also digs a funnel-shaped cavity in loose 
earth or sand, but deeper in proportion to its width than that of M. Mor- 
micaleo, and excavated not by regular circles, but by throwing out the 
earth obliquely on all sides. When its trap is finished, it stretches itself 
near the bottom, remaining stiff and without motion like a piece of wood, 
.and the last segment bent at an angle with the rest, so as to form a strong 
point of support in the struggles which it often necessarily has with 
vigorous prey. The moment an insect falls into the pitfall, the larva 
writhes itself round it like a serpent, transfixes it with its mandibles, and 
sucks its juices at its ease. If the insect escapes, the larva casts above It 
jets of sand with surprising rapidity.? 
Tam, &c. 
1 Reaum. vi, 833— 878. Bonnet, ii. 380. 
% Bonnet, ix. 414, De Geer, vi. 168. t. 10, 
