HONEY. 373 



from Iheir bodies wiih considerable force, and this accounts 

 for it^ being frequently found in situations where it could not 

 have arrived by the mere influence of gravitation. The 

 drops that aretlius spurted out, unless interrupted by the sur- 

 rounding foliage, or some other interposing body, fall upon 

 the ground ; and the spots may often be observed, for some 

 time, beneath and around the trees affected with honey-dew, 

 till washed away by the rain. The power which these in- 

 sects possess of ejecting the fluid from their bodies, seems to 

 have been wisely instituted to preserve' cleanliness in each 

 individual fly, and indeed for the preservation of the whole 

 family ; for pressing us they do upon one another, they 

 would otherwise soon be glued together, and rendered in- 

 capable of stirring. On looking steadfastly at a group of 

 these insects {Aphides Salicis) while feeding on the bark of 

 the willow, their superior size enables us to perceive some of 

 them elevating their bodies and emitting a transparent sub- 

 stance in the form of a small shower." 



" Nor scorn ye now, fond elves, the foliage sear, 

 When the light aphids, arin'd with puny spear, 

 Probe each emulgentvein, till bright below, 

 Like falling stars, clear drops of nectar glow." 



Svans. 



" Honey-dew usually appears upon the leaves as a viscid, 

 transparent substance, as sweet as honey itself, sometimes 

 in the form of globules, at others resembling a syrup ; it is 

 generally most abundant from the middle of June to the 

 middle of July, sometimes as late as September." 



" It is found chiefly upon the oak, the elm, the maple, the 

 plane, the sycamore, the lime, the hazel, and the blackberry ; 

 occasionally also on the cherry, currant, and other fruit 

 trees. Sometimes only one species of trees is affected at a 

 time. The oak generally affords the largest quantity. At 

 32 



