72 : 
selves at the source, to seize the instant, as we have already 
said, when the desired liquid appears in form of a drop, at 
the end of the anus. rs aa 
The ants are not accused of idleness: those of which 
now speak are constantly, and without relaxation, at 
posts, around the pucerons. ‘They wait the favourable 
ment, with gaping mouth and open pincers, to precipit 
themselves on the first drop which appears; if it esca 
them, they only resolve to be patient, till the appearance 
a new one may promise better fare. 
Certain plants furnish only a scanty extract to the puce- 
rons, and the portion of it rendered by these insects, is al- 
most wholly taken off by the small ants. It is easier for 
_ these latter parasites to seize on every part of this liquid 
excrement, because that of the little pucerons, stops a short 
time at the point of the anus, before it is projected, whi 
deprives the bees of every hope of collecting any thi 
after these little ants. ; 
Other trees, such as the oak and chesnut, furnish mucl 
more of that elixir to the large black pucerons, particularly 
when those trees are full of sap. But, in recompense, t 
excrementous drop hardly makes any stop; it is projectec 
immediately, and the large ants do not find so much profit 
as in the little preceding harvest. : 
It is very pleasant to observe their earnestness; to se 
them running and vexing themselves; moving from one pu- 
ceron to anothers snatching at every thing, and catching al- 
most nothing. There is, therefore, less crowd about the 
black pucerons. 'The greater part of the ants in their suite 
grow discouraged, and scarcely more than three or four can 
be seen where thirty might live at their ease. 
The bees, who seem to live only on the desert, or what 
escapes the vigilance or address of the large ants, are not- 
withstanding much better served, having the proper instru- 
ments for collecting the scattered honey-dew, of which they _ 
make ample provision, and which they know how to use by _ 
themselves. If this desire, of accumulating, did not turn to 
our advantage, we should be induced to charge the bee with 
avarice, of which they would otherwise be the emblem, ra- 
ther than the ant. The greatest collection is made in the — 
time of the great flowing of sap, in the month of June, when 
the pucerons, on their part, find an easier and more abun- 
dant nourishment, notwithstanding they suck it through the 
bark. Hence their vigour increases, their population aug- 
