The under side of maple leaves affords good 

 pasturage to numerous green aphids which there 

 browse contentedly in the pleasant shade and under 

 the watchful eyes of the small brown ants that 

 herd them. The aphids are all sizes and ages, 

 though as to age the difference is probably but a 

 few days. With a glass, the process of "milking" 

 may be observed, the ants merely stroking the 

 aphids with their antenns. Two small tubes, like 

 sap quills, protrude from the back of the aphid, 

 and from time to time minute glistening drops 

 are seen to exude from these tubes and are removed 

 by the ants in attendance. Surely, to the ant here 

 is the land of milk and honey. They move con- 

 stantly to and fro among the aphids, now and 

 then stopping to stroke one. Apparently they 

 deted: by some signs which are ready to yield the 

 sweet fluid. Their presence appears to be agreeable 

 to the aphids and is never in the least resented. 

 After long watching with the glass, I have never 

 seen anything akin to insubordination. Pluck the 

 leaf ever so gently and hold it in a proper posi- 

 tion, the difference is at once apparent to the 

 aphids, for there begins an exodus, and large and 

 small troop ud the stem of the leaf and so on to 



lOI 



