76 HONEY-DEW. 



proboscis, folded under the breast, when the in- 

 sects are not feeding, with which instrument they 

 puncture the turgid vessels of the leaf, leaf-stalk 

 or bark, and suck with great avidity their contents, 

 which are expelled nearly unchanged, so that how- 

 ever fabulous it may appear, they may literally be 

 said to void a liquid sugar. On looking steadfastly 

 at a group of these insects (Aphides Salicis) while 

 feeding on the bark of the willow, their superior 

 size enables us to perceive some of them elevating 

 their bodies and emitting a transparent substance 

 in the form of a small shower. 



" Nor scorn ye now, fond elves, the foliage sear, 

 When the light aphids, arm'd with puny spear, 

 Probe each emulgent vein till bright below 

 Like falling stars, clear drops of nectar glow." 



EVANS, 



The willow accommodates the bees in a kind of 

 threefold succession, the farina of the flowers 

 yielding spring food for their young, the bark 

 giving out propolis for sealing the hives of fresh 

 swarms, and the leaves shining with honey-dew 

 in the midst of summer scarcity. But to return 

 to the aphides. " These insects may also be seen 

 distinctly, with a strong magnifier, on the leaves 

 of the hazel, lime, &c. but invariably on the infe- 

 rior surface, piercing the vessels, and expelling 

 the honey-dew from their hinder parts with con- 

 siderable force." " These m'ght easily have es- 



