is marked by the
numerous carapaces of crabs and shells which strew the neighbourhood.

The ambuscade of the Ant-lion is classic; it does not differ greatly
from the others. He excavates a conical pitfall, in which he conceals
himself, and seizes the unfortunate ants and other insects whom
ill-chance causes to roll into it.[13]

[13] See _e.g._ Tennent, _Ceylon_, vol. i. p. 252. Also
Reaumur, _Memoires pour d'histoire des Insectes_, t. i. p.
14, and t. vi. p. 333.

_The baited ambush._--A variety of ambush which brings this method of
hunting to considerable perfection lies in inciting the prey to
approach the hiding-place instead of trusting to chance to bring it
there. In such circumstances Man places some allurement in the
neighbourhood--that is to say, one of the foods preferred by the
desired victim, or at least some object which recalls the form of that
food, as, for example, an artificial fly to obtain possession of
certain fishes.

It is curious to find that fish themselves utilise this system; it is
the method adopted by the Angler and the _Uranoscopus_.[14] The
_Uranoscopus scaber_ lives in the Mediterranean. At the end of his
lower jaw there is developed a mobile and supple filament which he is
able to use with the greatest dexterity. Concealed in the mud, without
moving and only allowing the end of his head to emerge, he agitates
and vibrates his filament. The little fishes who prowl in the
neighbourhood, delighted with the sight of this apparent worm,
regarding it as a destined prey, throw themselves on to it, but before
they are able to bite and recognise their error they have disappeared
in the mouth of the proprietor of the bait.

[14] Lacepede, _Histoire des Poissons_, 1798-1803.

The Angler (_Lophius piscatorius_) has not usurped his rather
paradoxical name. He retires to the midst of the sea-weed and algae. On
his body and all round his head he bears fringed appendages which, by
their resemblance to the leaves of marine plants, aid the animal to
conceal himself. The colour of his body also does not contrast with
neighbouring objects. From his head arise three movable filaments
formed by three spines detached from the upper fin. He makes use of
the anterior one, which is the longest and most supple. Working in the
same way as the _Uranoscopus_, the Angler agitates his three
filaments, giving them as much as possible the appearance of worms,
and thus attracting the little f