BEE PASTUEAGB. 99 



something like it ; but in this case the bees were in 

 attendance instead of ants. 



This mode of elaborating honey, although not gen- 

 erally collected by bees, perhaps may not be too much 

 out of place here. Also, it may furnish a clue to the 

 cause or substantiate some theory of honey-dew. 



These insects (Aphis) have been very appropriately 

 termed "ants' cows," as they are regarded by them 

 with the most tender care and solicitude. In July or 

 August, when the majority of the leaves of our apple 

 trees are matured, there is often a few sprouts or 

 suckers about the bottom or trunk, that continue 

 growing and putting out fresh leaves. On the under 

 side of these, you will find the aphis by hundreds, of 

 all sizes, from those just hatched to the perfect insect 

 with wings. All appear to be engaged in sucking the 

 bitter juice from the tender leaf and stalk. The ants 

 are among them by scores. (They are often accused 

 by the careless observer of the injury, instead of the 

 aphis.) Occasionally there will issue from their ab- 

 domen a small, transparent globule, which the ant is 

 ever ready to receive. When a load is obtained it 

 descends to the nest;' others may be seen going and 

 returning continually. Many other kinds of trees, 

 shrubs and plants are used by the ants as "cow pas- 

 ture," and most kinds of ants are engaged in this dairy 

 business'.* Would the bees attend on the a,-, his for 

 this secretion, (for it appears to be honey,) if the ant 

 was not there first ? Or if there were no ants or bees, 



* The Ijis'tory of insects, as -published by Harpers, gives more pa^ 

 ticulars on this interesting subject. 



