274 SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



and the offspring. In this cottony substance, we ob- 

 serve, as soon as the creature becomes animated in 

 the spring, and as long as 

 it remains in vigour, many 

 round pellucid bodies, which 

 at first sight look like eggs, 

 only that they are larger 

 than we might suppose to 

 be ejected by the animal. 



THE INSECT TOEMING A CRADLE Th com ^ Q f ft gweet glu . 



roR'lTS YOUKG. (Magnified.) ,. * a . , i 11 T 



1 tinous fluid, probably dis- 

 charged by the aphis, as the first food of its young. 

 * * * * The winds wafting about small tufts of the 

 downy matter, convey the creature with it from tree 

 to tree throughout the whole orchard. In the autumn, 

 when this substance is generally long, the winds and 

 rains of the season effectually disperse these insects, 

 and we observe them endeavouring to secrete themselves 

 in the crannies of any neighbouring substance. Should 

 the savoy cabbage be near the tree whence they have 

 been dislodged, the cavities of the under sides of its 

 leaves are commonly favourite asylums for them. Mul- 

 titudes perish by these rough removals ; but numbers 

 yet remain, and we may find them in the nodes and 

 crevices, on the under sides of the branches, at any 

 period of the year, the long cottony vesture being re- 

 moved ; but still they are enveloped in a fine short 

 downy clothing, to be seen by a magnifier, proceeding, 

 apparently, from every suture or pore of their bodies, 

 and protecting them in their dormant state from the 

 moisture and frosts of our climate. This aphis, in a 

 natural state, usually awakens and commences its 

 labours veiy early in the month of March ; and the 

 hoariness on its body may be observed increasing daily ; 

 but if an infected branch be cut in winter and kept in a 

 warm room, these aphides will awaken, speedly spin 

 their cottony nests, and feed, as they are accustomed to 

 do in the genial season." 



