THE MYRMELEONIDAL . 
359 
Moreover, they usually construct a cocoon when they have attained 
their full growth, and are transformed into quiet and inactive 
nymphs. The perfect insects have their wings less reticulate 
than the dragon flies, their eyes are smaller, and the antennae 
have many articulations. The mandibles are sharp, and the jaws 
and lip, which are rather narrowed, have long palps upon them. 
There are two divisions in the family. 
The ant lions which form the genus Myrmeleon have very 
remarkable habits in the larval condition. 
In some sandy places on little hills which have a sunny aspect 
it is not uncommon to notice small cavities which have a funnel 
shape. They are made by the larvae of the ant lion, which are 
insects of a greyish-red colour having on their sides little col- 
lections of black hairs ; the front and middle sets of legs project 
forwards, and the hind ones, which are stronger and not so 
movable, are kept backwards against the body. These larvae can 
only walk backwards. In burying themselves in the sand they 
turn round and round, and throw the grains out from the funnel- 
shaped hole they make by their twistings, using their large and 
flat heads like a shovel. The sand as it is thrown over the sides 
of the hole forms a margin to it, and when all is completed, the 
ant lion sinks itself at the bottom of the trap in the sand, and 
only shows its long mandibles'. The spot which it chooses for its 
dangerous dwelling is usually in the neighbourhood of the 
dwellings of ants and other insects. The unfortunate ant which 
happens to tread on the margin of the hole sets some sand off 
rolling, and it immediately begins to struggle against falling down, 
but the larva of the ant lion throws some sand upon it, and it 
soon comes tumbling down to the bottom of the funnel. The 
ant is immediately seized between the sharp mandibles of the 
ant lion, which are perforated by tubes, and which allow the 
bloodthirsty insect to suck the juices of its prey. This perforation 
of the mandibles is one of the remarkable peculiarities of the 
organisation of these insects. When the larva becomes fully 
grown it winds a silken cocoon from a silk gland which, unlike 
those of the Lepidoptera , is situated at the extremity of the body ; 
there is not much silk to spare, so a quantity of sand is glued 
into its walls. The larva lives for about two years, and the 
