106 Life and Immortality. 



the very tender were a-hungry, that pressure was brought to 

 bear upon the mothers. A few gentle reminders served to 

 arouse them from the apathetic indifference which possessed 

 them. The antennae of the young were the means employed 

 for this purpose. Two or three caresses almost immediately 

 brought a discharge of honey. Again and again was the 

 process observed, and always with the same invariable result. 



Never for a longer period than two days were the very 

 young dependent upon this manner of feeding, for their 

 digestive organs were too weak and delicate to assimilate 

 earlier, without injury, the powerful juices of the food-plant. 



But what of the older offspring ? That they were far from 

 being disregarded by parental provision, subsequent develop- 

 ments only too plainly showed. The excretion, though less 

 urgent in their case than in that of the very young, was 

 quite as indispensable. Were it not so, what reason can be 

 assigned for their very strict adherence to the course over 

 which the maternal head had already passed in feeding? 



From what has been said, there can be no doubt that the 

 newly-born aphis derives material advantage from the excre- 

 tion. But as the supply is clearly above the requirements, 

 why the excess? It is evident nature does not need it as a 

 kind of compensation for losses sustained through aphides. 

 Then what purpose does it serve? It becomes in part the 

 pabulum of the stronger of the young, and this it accom- 

 plishes by mixing with the natural juices of the plant, 

 thereby rendering them fit for use. 



To serve as food for the young is then the primary object 

 of aphis-excretion. That a secondary purpose, namely, the 

 preservation of the species, is also subserved, there can be no 

 question. How this is effected, it shall now be my endeavor 

 to show. 



Ants, it is well known, are fond of sugar, gums and 

 saccharine solutions, as well as the rich juices and tender 

 tissues of animals. But their appetite for sweets is stronger 

 than for all other diets. To them aphis would prove quite 



