478 



MY GARDEN. 



. of which the Cochineal insect, the coccus which lives on the cactus, is 

 an example. Cocci are especially the plagues of greenhouses, and 

 if allowed to multiply will speedily destroy a valuable collection. 



These creatures, like the aphides or plant-lice, have a rostrum by 

 means of which they pierce the, cuticle of the plant and suck its juices. 

 There are many species, but all are equally destructive. The vine is 

 sometimes attacked by the Vine Scale Insect {Coccus vitis, fig. 1054a). 

 The orange is pretty constantly attacked by the C. hesperidum : in fact, 

 it requires continual care to keep this tree from their ravages. The 

 pine-apple is attacked by the C. BromelicB (fig. \o^\b\ The Mealy 

 Bug {C. adonidum, fig. 1055) is very troublesome in the hot-house. 

 There is a group of these creatures which live under a shield, as the 

 Aspidiotus nerii, or Oleander Scale Insect. In the year 1 871, some of 

 the lemons imported to London were spotted over with green, as though 



Fig. 1054a.— Coccus Fig. 1054*.— Coccus 

 vitis. Bromeliae. 



Fig. 1055. — Coccus adonidum, 

 nat. size and magnified. 



Fig. 1056.— Lemon 

 coccus, magnified. 



at certain parts they had not thoroughly ■ ripened : in the centre of 

 each of these spots there was a white covering, under which a coccus 

 (fig. 1056) resided. The lemons attacked were bitter and unfit for 

 use. The best plan to destroy cocci is to wash the plant. 



Of late years a formidable creature, allied to the aphis and coccus, 

 called the Phylloxera, has attacked the vine. It commenced in America, 

 passed to Ireland, has visited the neighbourhood of London, and 

 threatens most extensive damage in France. It has two forms— one 

 which lives on the leaves and stems, and another which lives on the roots 

 (plate 24, figs. 1—7.) Up to this time I have not seen this pest. 



