89 



except the most ignorant, will conclude that the wind 

 creates them. The truth is that insects propagate 

 with rapidity just in proportion as their food is abun- 

 dant or deficient. Now the food of the aphis is the 

 juice of the young leaves and shoots of the plant, and 

 there is no doubt that more young leaves are put 

 forth to succeed those which have been injured by 

 easterly wind, and that the shoots remain then longer 

 juicy and unripened than in seasons when more genial 

 weather has prevailed. 



Tponomenta padella. — Small Ermine Moth. — An- 



terior wings ordinarily of a leaden white, with about 

 thirty remote minute black spots, disposed somewhat 

 regularly in longitudinal rows, but on the hinder 

 margin they are more irregular, and tend to a trans- 

 verse disposition : cilia livid. Posterior wings lead- 

 coloured : cilia rather paler. Extremely variable : 

 some examples having the ground of the anterior 

 wings white ; others with the costa livid, and the 

 inner margin white ; some with a livid or pale lead- 



