182 THE HOT-HOTTSE. [FEB. 



the order APTERA. Characters: Eyes placed on the sides of the 

 head, remote from one another. Mouth or proboscis formed by a 

 small pointed rostrum inclosed in a sheath. Antennae shorter than 

 the proboscis. Feet eight ; they are oviparous. 



This is a pest to almost every kind of plants, for this insect is not 

 only pernicious to most plants kept under glass but also to many 

 growing in the open air. 



In hot dry weather the increase of these insects is exceedingly 

 rapid, and when they become numerous they, by various means, 

 commit great havoc on plants; for this insect with its proboscis 

 perpetually wounds the fine or capillary vessels of plants and extracts 

 their nutritious juices. It also works a web about the leaves and 

 over the tender buds and tops of the plants in such a manner as 

 nearly to suffocate them and prevent their vegetation. 



This insect does not seem to be affected by fumigation made with 

 any ingredients hitherto discovered, and it is probable that the ap- 

 terous insects, or those without wings, are not so much affected by 

 fumigation as the winged tribe. 



However, the mixtures recommended for destroying the insects on 

 the pine-apple will have the same effect on this. Plants greatly in- 

 fested, and growing in pots, when their tops are not very large, may 

 with great facility be dipped in a convenient vessel filled with those 

 mixtures. The top of the plant need only remain a short time 

 therein, and it should then be placed in a shady place to prevent its 

 drying too rapidly. 



These insects very frequently reside on the under side of the 

 leaves, and, when very numerous, they work so thick a web thereon 

 that it sometimes prevents the mixture from entering into certain 

 hollow parts of the leaves, by which means a few escape unhurt, in 

 which case it will be proper for the plants to undergo the same ope- 

 ration the succeeding afternoon, which will most assuredly destroy 

 all that escaped before. 



Large or climbing plants, when their leaves are large, as, for in- 

 stance, the vine, must be dressed with the mixture by means of a 

 sponge. This has the appearance of a tedious operation ; but in a 

 dark day, when the house is not very warm, a person will make con- 

 siderable progress therein in the course of a few hours. 



The keeping of the house in a moist state by watering the walks 

 and flues late in the evening, and the frequent sprinkling of the 

 plants with water, contributes to retard the progress of these insects, 

 which are very impatient of much moisture. This reduces them 'to 

 a temporary state of inaction, but will not destroy them.* 



3. TheTHRiPS. Order HEMIPTERA. Characters: Rostrum small 

 and obscure ; antennae as long as the thorax ; body slender, of an 

 equal thickness in its whole length ; abdomen reflexible, being gene- 

 rally bent upwards; wings four, incumbent on the back of the insect, 



* If a small portion of sulphur be applied on the cooler ends of the 

 flues, or any part of the hot water pipes, it will effectually destroy Red 

 Spider. Care should be used that it does not ignite, or the plants will 

 also be severely injured. 



