1 8'l APHIS. 



But certainly this is not the mode in which those 

 insects are usually dispersed over a country. The 

 phenomenon is too unusual, the distribution 

 would be too partial ; for the Aphides, while at 

 their highest point of multiplication, do not swarm 

 like bees or ants, and fly off in large bodies; but 

 each male or female Aphis, at such periods as 

 they arrive at maturity, marches or flies off, with- 

 out waiting for any other. Yet it may happen, 

 that from a tree or plant thickly beset with them 

 numbers may fly off, or emigrate together, being 

 arrived at maturity at the same moment of time. 

 Detaching itself from the plant, each pursues a 

 different route, intent on the great business of 

 multiplying its species; and settles on such plants 

 in the vicinity as are calculated to afford nourish- 

 ment to its young. The common green Aphis, which 

 is so generally destructive, lives during the winter 

 season on such herbaceous plants as it remained 

 on during the autumn, either in its egg or perfect 

 state. If the weather be mild, it multiplies greatly 

 on such herbage; as the spring advances, in May 

 the males and females of these insects acquire 

 wings; and thus the business of increase, hitherto 

 confined, is widely and rapidly extended, as the 

 winged Aphides, by Hop-Planters called the Fly, 

 may be seen at this period very generally sitting 

 on plants, and floating in the air in all directions." 

 Mr. Curtis, in the preceding observations on 

 the genus Aphis, having mentioned the shower of 

 Aphides recorded by Mr. White, it cannot but be 

 agreeable to the reader to be made acquainted 



