158 LETTERS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 
in another with equal address. We must remark, 
that it never loads its head with the sand outside 
the circle, but constantly uses the leg next the 
centre, as if knowing that it is the middle only 
that is to be excavated ; and as one leg would 
soon be fatigued with the labour, it turns round, 
and traces the next furrow in the opposite di- 
rection. It often meets with small stones which 
it puts on its head and jerks out ; but if a pebble 
presents itself which is too large for this, the 
insect, by a particular manoeuvre, lifts the stone 
on its back, keeps it steady by the motion of its 
segments, and walking up the side, lays it down 
on the top. When the stone is round, this task 
becomes very difficult; but the patient insect 
has been seen to make six unsuccessful attempts, 
and only accomplished it on the seventh : if it 
finds its endeavours fruitless, it abandons the pit 
and forms another. This pitfall is rather more 
than two inches deep, about three inches wide at 
the top, and contracting to a point at the bottom. 
The lion-ant takes its station at the bottom, being 
concealed under the sand, all except the points 
of its expanded forceps. Soon some unlucky 
ant runs on the edge, perhaps to look down, but 
the sand slides under her feet, and her struggles 
only hasten her descent; though if she should 
