CHAPTER LII 



THE PHYIiOXEBA 



' TN our talks on ants a few words were said concern- 

 JL ing their milch-cows, plant-lice. You haven't 

 forgotten those curious herds with udders in the 

 form of two little tubes that emit, from time to time, 

 a sweetened liquid. The ant comes and milks these 

 cows, caressing them as it does so with its two anten- 

 nae. It fills itself with their milk, making its stom- 

 ach serve the purpose of a milk-pail, and then runs 

 back, all bursting with the delicious fluid, to disgorge 

 it into the nurslings' mouths. 



"These ant-cows are watched over with jealous 

 vigilance; in case of need they are pastured within 

 enclosures, for fear of marauders. So far all is for 

 the best: the ants' cattle afford us some passing 

 amusement, and apparently they are open to no 

 serious reproach. But if we pursue our inquiries 

 further the plant-lice will reveal themselves to us un- 

 der a far more serious aspect. 



"Let us speak first of rosebush lice. You wish 

 to pluck a rose. Its perfume fills the air, its form 

 and color rejoice the eye. But just as you are about 

 to break the stem what do you find under your fin- 

 gers? At the base of the flower and all over the 

 branch that bears it, the superb plant is contami- 



279 



