APHIDES, FOOD OF OTHER INSECTS. 75 



destruction, employed as they are by thousands in simultaneous 

 and incessant labour. And this considered, who can wonder at 

 the marvellous and unsightly changes, the spoil and havoc, 

 which these peaceful armies carry in their wake. 



For the most part, these Insect marauders, living to eat and 

 to be eaten, seem to have no other business, no thought or 

 care, except on the matter of supplies, and take no trouble to 

 conceal their ranks from the observation of their numerous 

 enemies, or even to shelter themselves from the stormy wind 

 and rain, which sweep them off by millions. 



Most of us have heard of honey-dew, and know, probably, 

 that it is a sweet clammy substance, found on the leaves of 

 various trees and plants, especially on the oak, the vine, the 

 hop, and the honeysuckle. As to the real nature of this sweet 

 poison to the plant, opinions differ ; and some, perhaps, even of 

 the learned moderns know as much about it as did the learned 

 ancient, Pliny, who doubted whether to call it " sweat of the 

 heavens,' 7 " saliva of the stars," or " a liquid produced by 

 purgation of the air." Careful observation seems, however, 

 to have pretty clearly ascertained that this honey-dew, (like the 

 honey of Bees, of vegetable origin,) is extracted with the sap, 

 secreted, and then thrown out by the Aphides in a state of the 

 greatest purity. Besides the profusion of sweets which they 

 scatter around them, like sugar-plums at a carnival, they always 

 keep a good supply within the green jars of their bodies. By 

 the lavish distribution of these saccharine riches, our little 

 Aphides make for themselves, it is true, a few interested 

 friends, while, on the other hand, they owe to their possession 

 a host of devouring enemies. 



Reaumur designates the race of Aphides as " the very corn " 

 sown for the use of their more powerful insect brethren ; but 

 as animate creatures, as well as gregarious green-leaf grazers, 

 they have been considered with more propriety, as the oves and 

 boves, the flocks and herds, of those which seem permitted to 

 hold them in possession. Amongst this devouring crew is the 



