APHIS VASTATOR. 69 



eventually to make myself conversant with the fact, as it 

 has a bearing upon the future course of the potatoe disease. 



(272.) I have found eggs apparently of other Aphides 

 upon the couch-grass. I have also given a figure of the 

 young Aphis enveloped in a membrane, and in a state just 

 ready to come into the world. This therefore shows me 

 what sort of an egg we may expect to find, if the creature 

 ever lays one. (Plate vin., fig. 1.) 



(273.) The desired information probably will resolve 

 itself into three questions : Does the vastator lay eggs 

 which hatch in spring ? Does it hybernate, and come out 

 again in the spring ? Does it continue to propagate not- 

 withstanding cold, frost, and rain ? Up to November 4th, 

 I have found the creature bringing forth its young alive. 



(274.) The vastator begins at the larger leaves of the 

 potatoe plant, which, after a short time, becoming injured 

 by the abstraction of the sap, die either partially or entirely. 

 In this case the insect follows up the leaves till only a few 

 on the top of the plant are left. 



(275.) This operation is not going on in one plant alone, 

 it is generally progressing in every plant in the field at the 

 same time ; leaf by leaf all dying, till, as I have just stated, 

 a few only of the apical leaves are left. 



(276.) Regarding the mode in which a whole field 

 becomes attacked, I may observe that the vastator is a sad 

 rover : he may frequently be seen travelling up and down 

 the potatoe plant with his antennae waving before him, 

 as though he were uneasy, and did not quite like his 

 situation. 



(277.) From this restlessness, coupled with the fact that 

 the insect is generally diffused over a field, I am inclined 

 to believe that the potatoe is not the most agreeable food to 



