36 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



and then throw it up from their stomachs into 

 the mouths of the young ones. 



Harriet. Oh, that is too disgusting ! I had 

 no idea that any animals fed their young in that 

 way. 



Aunt M. No doubt it tastes very good to 

 them, as it appears that this mode of feeding is 

 not altogether confined to the young. 



Huber says that he once followed a party of 

 the large wood ants, which he found a consider- 

 able distance from their habitation. As they 

 approached the ant hill, several of their com- 

 panions met them, who probably supposing 

 them to be hungry after their journey, and being 

 themselves well supplied with food, gave it to 

 them in this way. But I have something to tell 

 you, stranger, even, than this. Do you know 

 that ants have cows ? 



Mary. Ants have cows? Oh, how funny ! 



Jiunt M. Funny enough ; but nevertheless 

 true ; and these cows are those little green in- 

 sects commonly called plant lice, which we may 

 see at any time clustered together upon the ten- 

 der stalks of rose bushes and many other plants. 

 Their proper name is Aphides. It is said they 

 even hold these insects as property. 



