THE CANADIAN EXTOMOLOGLST. 



momentarily sustains. But to this opinion I cannot assent, as experience 

 teaches me that the plant does not receive the least benefit therefrom. 

 Even if it possessed any healing virtues, these could not manifest any 

 marked effects, owing to the very rapid multiplication of the lice, which 

 are constantly probing the wounds by means of their puctorial apparatus 

 and thus serving to heighten instead of lightening the evil. Viewing the 

 subject in this light, nature would seem to be defeating her own ends. 



It is true that these highly mischievous creatures are slightly held in 

  check by a few species of the Ichneumonid^e, Syrphidce and Coccinel- 

 lidoe, but their rate of increase is so enormously out of proportion to the 

 number of their enemies that very little good results to plants. 



From the preceding remarks it is evident to the mind of every candid 

 reasoner that plants receive no material advantage from this excretion. It 

 now remains to indicate its use. That it is of great service to the newly 

 born Aphis, totally unfitted as it is both by nature and by structure to 

 imbibe the strong, yet sometimes acrid and bitter fluids of plants, there 



• can be no doubt. But as the supply is clearly above the requirements of 

 such, why the excess ? Most assuredly to serve as pabulum for their 



: stronger companions. How ? By uniting with the plant's forced 

 excretion, thus diluting and rendering it a suitable material for imbibition 



. and digestion. That its primary use is to serve as food for the lice during 

 their early existence I think from the argument adduced must be obvious 

 to all. 



That a secondary purpose also is subserved thereby, to wit, the 

 preservation of the species, there are just grounds for belief. It is well 

 known to naturalists that ants do not merely possess a fondness for 

 sugar, gums and saccharine solutions, but that they also manifest a 



■decided penchant for the rich juices and tender tissues of animals; the 

 liquids aud solids of humbler forms of insect life being sought after and 



■devoured with avidity, save when the animals possess some peculiar 

 properties that recommend them to the mercy of their enemies. 



There is no doubt that the soft and juicy Aphis, which is esteemed 

 such a rich morsel of food by the Coccinclla, was primitively as delicious 

 to the For?nita, and that it shared equally with other feeble creatures of 

 its class the murderous assaults of the latter. This condition of things 

 doubtless continued for ages, until there appeared on the scene an ant 

 possessed of more sagacity than any of its fellows. 



