DESTROYERS OF APHIDES. 103 



observed fungi on the leaf, I have also noticed Aphides on 

 the plant. 



It is also a singular fact, that there is a word in the He- 

 brew language which means blight and mildew, collec- 

 tively, meaning thereby Aphis and fungus. 



The Aphis, however, only favors the growth of the fun- 

 gus by injuring the vital powers of the plant; and, there- 

 fore, any other circumstance which can debilitate the plant 

 doubtless may favor the appearance of the fungus. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



NATURAL REMEDIES FOR THE PRESENT DISEASE AMONG 

 PLANTS. 



Animals destructive to aphides (413). Coccinella (414, 415) ; 

 Profusion of (416). The Gauze-wing (418). Larvee of Sylphidae 

 (419). Parasitic Hymenoptera (420, 421). Other Hymenoptera 

 (422). Earwing and species of Acarus (424). Spiders (425). 

 The soft-billed birds (426, 427). Ducklings (428). 



(413.) THE balance of creation is disturbed, the Aphis 

 vastator has increased to an alarming extent, we must 

 therefore inquire by what means this creature is generally 

 kept within due bounds, and we shall find that numerous 

 animals prey upon it. 



(414.) The lady-bird or lady-cow (Coccinella), together 

 with its larva, makes great havoc amongst the Aphides ; 

 and thousands of these creatures are to be found upon the 

 potatoe, the turnip, and other vegetables, when the vastator 



