202 INDIRECT INJURIES CAUSED BV lNSKCT§w 



are usually so accounted, the apricot, the peach, and the 

 nectarine, originally of Asiatic origin, are not less sub- 

 ject to the empire of insects than the homelier natives 

 of Europe. Certain Aphides form a convenient and 

 sheltered habitation for themselves, by causing portions 

 of the leaves to rise into hollow red convexities ; in these 

 they reside, and, with their rostrum pumping out the 

 sap, in time occasion them to curl up, and thus deform 

 the tree and injure the produce. The fruit is attacked 

 by various other enemies of this class, against which 

 we find it not easy to secure it : wasps, earwigs, flies, 

 woodlice, and ants, which last communicate to it a dis- 

 agreeable flavour, all share with us these ambrosial 

 treasures ; the first of them as it were opening the door, 

 by making an incision in the rind, and letting in all the 

 rest. — The nucleus of the apricot is also sometimes in- 

 habited by the caterpillar of a moth, whicli devouring 

 the kernel causes the fruit to fall prematurely*. — In this 

 countiy, however, these fruits may be regarded as mere 

 luxuries, and therefore are of less consequence; but in 

 North America they constitute an important part of the 

 general produce, at least the peach, serving both as 

 food for swine, and furnishing by distillation a useful 

 spirit. The ravages committed upon them there by in- 

 sects are so serious, that premiums have been offe^red 

 for extirpating them. A species of weevil, perhaps a 

 Ri/ncJiites of Herbst, enters the fruit when unripe, pro- 

 bably laying its eggs within the stone, and so destroys 

 them. And two kinds o^ Zi/gcEna, F., by attacking the 

 roots, do a still greater injury to the trees''. — A Coccus, 



" M. de la Hire in Reaum. ii. 478. 



^ Dr. Smilh Barton's Letter in Philos. Magaz. xxii. 210. 



