47 8 



MY GARDEN. 



Allied to the plant-lice, and equally destructive, we have the Cocci, 

 of which the Cochineal insect, the coccus which lives on the cactus, is 

 an example. The cocci are especially the plagues of greenhouses, and 

 if allowed to multiply will speedily destroy a valuable collection of 

 plants. 



These creatures, like the aphides or plant-lice, have a rostrum by 

 means of which they pierce the cuticle of the plant and suck its juices. 

 There are many species, but all are equally destructive. The vine is 

 sometimes attacked by the Vine Scale Insect (Coccus vitis). The orange 

 is pretty constantly attacked by the C. hcspcridum : in fact, it requires 

 continual care to keep this tree from their ravages. The pine-apple 

 is attacked by the C. Bromelice. The Mealy Bug (C. adoniditm, fig. 

 1055) is very troublesome in the hot-house. There is a group of these 

 creatures which live under a shield, as the Aspidiotus ncrii, or 



FIG. 1055. Coccus adonidum, nat. size and magnified. Fis. 1056. Lemon coccus, magnified. 



Oleander Scale Insect. In the year 1871, the lemons imported to 

 London were spotted over with green, as though at certain parts they 

 had not thoroughly ripened : in the centre of each of these spots there 

 was a white covering, under which a coccus (fig. 1056) resided. When 

 the lemons were thus attacked, they were bitter and unfit for use. I 

 exhibited this coccus at the Horticultural Society, but it appeared to 

 be a new insect, not heretofore known. All the varieties of cocci must 

 be .removed immediately they appear upon the plant. The best plan 

 is to wash the plant, as this effectually destroys the insect. 



Thrips are another family of hemipterous insects which do much 

 damage, from their great numbers. Mr. Haliday has made a special 



