IBS NEUROPTERA. 
life inhabit the ground. The myrmeleon, 
for instance, always lives in dry, sandy 
soils. 
Lucy, Has this insect an English 
name r 
Mother. The singular species, the myr- 
meleon formicariusy ox formica leo^, of 
which I am now going to give you an ac- 
count, is sometimes called the lion anty be- 
cause, when in its larva state, it preys 
upon ants, as lions do on weaker ani- 
mals. 
Lucy. Ants run so fast, that this 
little lion must be very nimble to catch 
them. 
Mother, Far otherwise ; it moves re- 
markably slowly, and its limbs are so 
formed that it can walk backward only, 
with any degree of facility. 
Lucy. How then can it catch the 
swift-footed ant ? 
Mother. By stratagem : but I will 
first describe this little animal. It has 
♦ Formica^ the ant% 
