182 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 
The larger number of the species of this family belong 
to the genus Hemerobius (Hem-e-ro'bi-us). These are small¬ 
ish insects, the largest of which 
expands hardly an inch. They 
occur in forests, and especially 
on cone - bearing trees. The 
Fig. 220. Polystcechotes /unctatus. bear a strong resem . 
blance to the Aphis-lions, and like them feed upon Aphids 
and other small insects. After sucking the blood from their 
victims, they make cloaks for themselves of the empty skins. 
Family MYRMELEONlDiE (Myr-me-le-on'i-dae). 
The Ant-lions and others . 
The Ant-lions, Myrmeleon (Myr-me'le-on). — In sandy 
places beneath overhanging cliffs, beneath buildings, and 
along sandy banks where the sun shines warmest, there may 
be found, in all parts of our land, little, funnel-shaped pits 
one or two inches across (Fig. 221). The sides are smooth 
and as steep as the sand 
will lie ; and at the bottom 
may be seen two small 
curved objects. All is still 
and motionless until some 
ant, hurrying along with 
mind intent upon business, 
carelessly runs over the edge of one of these pitfalls. Then 
the ant commences to slide down, while some force below 
throws out the sand from under its struggling feet, until it 
slides into the bottom, where literally jaws of death are 
awaiting it. For the curved objects are a pair of jaws, 
attached to a strong head, and closely connected with a 
greedy stomach. If we dig out the owner of the jaws we 
find it a spry, humpbacked creature, which moves backward 
more easily than forward. It is worth while to collect some 
Fig. 221. —Pitfall of an Ant-lion. 
