184 
APHIS. 
But certainly this is not the mode in which those 
insects are usually dispersed over a country. The 
phagnomenon is too unusual, the distribution 
would be too partial ; for the Aphides, while at 
their highest point of multiplication, do not swarm 
like bees or ants, and fly oft' in large bodies; but 
each male or female Aphis, at such periods as 
they arrive at maturity, marches or flies off, with- 
out waiting for any other. Yet it may happen, 
that from a tree or plant thickly beset with them 
numbers may fly off, or emigrate together, being 
arrived at maturity at the same moment of time. 
Detaching itself from the plant, each pursues a 
different route, intent on the great business of 
multiplying its species; and settles on such plants 
in the vicinity as are calculated to afford nourish- 
ment to its young. The common green Aphis, which 
is so generally destructive, lives during the winter 
season on such herbaceous plants as it remained 
on during the autumn, either in its egg or perfect 
state. If the weather be mild, it multiplies greatly 
on such herbage; as the spring advances, in May 
the males and females of these insects acquire 
wings; and thus the business of increase, hitherto 
confined, is widely and rapidly extended, as the 
winged Aphides, by Hop-Planters called the Fly, 
may be seen at this period very generally sitting 
on plants, and floating in the air in all directions.” 
Mr. Curtis, in the preceding observations on 
the genus Aphis, having mentioned the shower of 
Aphides recorded by Mr. White, it cannot but be 
agreeable to the reader to be made acquainted 
