Professor Forbes tells us about a little aphid that feeds on the 

 roots of corn. In winter small brown ants take care of the eu'ers of 

 this aphid. They keep them in their own nest. If the nest is dis- 

 tnrbed, they will carry the eggs to a place of safety. 



Yon can all observe ants protect aphids from their enemies. Put 

 yonr finger on a twig or leaf among the aphids and see how the 

 ants will attack it. Find out the enemies of the aphids. Is the 

 " lady bug " one ? You will often see it among them. 



AVliile studying aphids I think you should learn tliat many are 

 injurious to plants. They cause that ugly gall, called the vagabond- 

 gall, which we find on the Cottonwood tree. You wall see how it 

 looks in the picture. You will also see a smaller gall on one of the 

 leaves. This was made by another kind of aphid. The first speci- 

 men of the vagabond-gall sent to us by a Junior Xaturalist came 

 from School No. 1 in Elmira. The bovs and ojirls there were much 



interested in it. 



ALICE G. McCLOSKEY. 



479 



