106 Life and Immortality. 
the very tender were a-hungry, that pressure was brought to 
bear upon the mothers. A few gentle reminders served to 
arouse them from the apathetic indifference which possessed 
them. The antennz of the young were the means employed 
for this purpose. Two or three caresses almost immediately 
brought a discharge of honey. Again and again was the 
process observed, and always with the same invariable result. 
Never for a longer period than two days were the very 
young dependent upon this manner of feeding, for their 
digestive organs were too weak and delicate to assimilate 
earlier, without injury, the powerful juices of the food-plant. 
But what of the older offspring? That they were far from 
being disregarded by parental provision, subsequent develop- 
ments only too plainly showed. The excretion, though less 
urgent in their case than in that of the very young, was 
quite as indispensable. Were it not so, what reason can be 
assigned for their very strict adherence to the course over 
which the maternal head had already passed in feeding? 
From what has been said, there can be no doubt that the 
newly-born aphis derives material advantage from the excre- 
tion. But as the supply is clearly above the requirements, 
why the excess? It is evident nature does not need it as a 
kind of compensation for losses sustained through aphides. 
Then what purpose does it serve? It becomes in part the 
pabulum of the stronger of the young, and this it accom- 
plishes by mixing with the natural juices of the plant, 
thereby rendering them fit for use. 
To serve as food for the young is then the primary object 
of aphis-excretion. That a secondary purpose, namely, the 
preservation of the species, is also subserved, there can be no 
question. How this is effected, it shall now be my endeavor 
to show. 
Ants, it is well known, are fond of sugar, gums and 
saccharine solutions, as well as the rich juices and tender 
tissues of animals. But their appetite for sweets is stronger 
than for all other diets. To them aphis would prove quite 
