^2 Mr. CtJRTis's Obfervations on aphides. 



willows on which they feed, and to ramble folitarily over every 

 nel<^hbouring object, in fuch numbers that we can handle notiiing 

 in their vicinity without crufliing fomc of them. Are they retreat- 

 ing to frefh trees, on which to depofit their young, or feeking fome 

 warmer fituation for the winter fcafon? Vaft numbers of them, 

 moftly in a younger ftate, ftill remain in large mafles on the trees. 



Though numberlefs infeds, Wafps in particular, were devouring 

 the fweets they depofited, the Lady-bird (Coccindla) was the only 

 one which preyed on the Aphidei themfelves; and thefe towards 

 the end of the month began to relax their depredations, and to 

 retreat to their winter quarters. 



Asthefeafon advances, the Aphides are found higher on the trees, 

 proceeding gradually upwards in quefl: of new food. When the 

 young Jph'is is brought forth, and is completely difengaged, it infi- 

 nuates itfelf under the body of its mother, and places itfelf clofe to 

 its elder brother or fifter, thus early manifefting an attachment to 

 that concreeated ftate of fociety in which it afterwards exifts. 



If by ftriking it you jai- the braiich of the tree on which Aphides 

 are placed, or Ihould a wafp or other large infect approach them 

 fuddenly, or rudely, the whole of them as it were in a mafs elevate 

 their bodies and hind legs and put them in motion ; and herein 

 appear to confift their whole powers of defence; in this ftate their 

 very fine white legs, thus elevated, give them a curious filamentous 

 appearance. We have frequently obferved white incruftations ad- 

 hering to different parts of their legs, wings, and bodies. 



05i. 12. Still obfervable in great maftes on the large branches of 

 the trees. 



Many winged males now among them, yet no appearance of co- 

 pulation. Many pregnant females emigrating from the mafs. 



T^v. 8. A fine warm day, after many of violent and long con- 

 tinued rain, the Aphides v/ere obferved to be very much diminiftied 



in 



