342 OF INSECTS, &c. 



let the ashes subside, and use the clear water 

 only. 



If your Melons have been infested with the 

 spider in the preceding year, by no means use any 

 of the mould again. 



Of the Coccus, 



The Coccus is a genus of insects belonging to 

 the order Hemiptera, whose males have wings, 

 but the females have none. 



The most common insects of this genus are 

 those which attach themselves to Peach, Nectarine, 

 and Pear trees ; and when full grown they have 

 somewhat the appearance of a boat with the keel 

 turned uppermost. These are apparently without 

 feet, eyes, or other members, while in this state ; 

 and so much resemble some kinds of galls, or 

 excrescences of the bark, as frequently to be taken 

 for such. A thin film of a white cotton-like 

 substance is interposed between the flat part of the 

 body and the tree. This is commonly, in a greater 

 or lesser quantity, to all the species, and appears 

 at first all round the edge as a kind of cement, to 

 join it to the tree. 



The males are very few in proportion to the 

 females, and not nearly one fourth of their size ; 

 they are beautiful little flies, which after a short 

 but active life, terminate their existence without 

 having tasted food, being provided with no sort of 

 organs for that purpose. 



