071 the Pine- Apple. 189 



numerous on the back of the lower part of the leaves. In this 

 stage of their existence, the insects are devoid of a scale ; but, in 

 some individuals, the rudiments of that envelope might be dis- 

 tinguished in the form of a white point scarcely visible to the 

 naked eye. This point increases in size, until it spreads all over 

 the creature it is destined to protect ; which thus is enabled to 

 feed and grow in security, until, in its turn, it produces another 

 progeny of bloodsuckers. If the Cocci are oviparous (which, I 

 believe, is the opinion of entomologists), the eggs of this species 

 are hatched while under the protection of the parent scale ; for I 

 am satisfied that they emerge endowed with the power of motion, 

 having often observed them, in the same naked condition as when 

 taken from beneath the parent, several inches distant from the 

 place where they evidently were bred : but I never actually saw 

 them move. Another species of Coccus, the brown scale, often 

 so troublesome in peach-houses, apparently is propagated pre- 

 cisely in the same manner ; and these I have seen travel no 

 inconsiderable distance immediately upon being released from 

 their prison. There is no reason to believe that the young tra- 

 vellers, after being once comfortably settled, are seized with a 

 farther desire to ramble : they then seem bent upon fulfilling the 

 original commandment, " Go forth, increase, and multiply ; " 

 and this they do most literally. 



As the females of many species of Coccus firmly attach them- 

 selves to the plants upon which they live, it is reasonable to 

 suppose that the male insects are capable of locomotion ; other- 

 wise, how could impregnation be effected ? And, as in some 

 degree strengthening this supposition, I give the following extract 

 from my journal : — " Nov. 7. 1833. In cleaning the pine plants, 

 I observed, for the first time, in the axils of the lower leaves, a 

 small creeping insect, of a deep dull red colour, having nume- 

 rous legs : it ran about nimbly, and occasionally leaped a distance 

 of nearly half an inch. In general appearance, it is not unlike a 

 monstrous acarus. Surely this insect has some connection with 

 the white scale, being almost invariably found upon dirty plants ; 

 on some, two, three, or even four, were found, but generally only 

 one. Immersion in the solution of soft soap destroyed these 

 crawling things immediately. Can they be male Cocci ?" 



The notion is erroneous that this species of Coccus " infests 

 the vine, the orange, and many plants besides the pine." So far 

 as I have observed, it is confined to the pine plant ; but, perhaps, 

 the whole order Bromelmcc^^ is liable to its attacks. 



It is much to be regretted that naturalists are so remiss in 

 investigating the habits of the insects which exercise such an 

 injurious influence on a science so essential to human existence 

 as horticulture. While the economy of the harmless members 

 of this division of creation has been carefully studied, we know 



