On the Aphis Lanigera, or American Blight. 55 



Sir Joseph Banks, in the second volume of the Horticultu- 

 ral Transactions, page 162, because I could not find one 

 more appropriate ; but, at the same time, I must premise, 

 that the characteristic, which gives rise to it, is not confined 

 to this species alone. In its formation, it differs from the 

 generality of these insects, by not possessing a horn, or pro- 

 cess, on each side of the abdomen : the body is surrounded 

 by bands nearly parallel to each other, commencing at the 

 thorax, and terminating at the extremity of the abdomen. 

 The colour of the full-grown insects approaches to that of 

 lead, and of the youngest to that of amber ; the antennae, or 

 feelers, are proportionably shorter, and the size of the body 

 much smaller, than any other species of this genus ; indeed, 

 we might justly be surprised, that insects so minute, could 

 effect mischief so extensive, if we were unacquainted with 

 their amazing fecundity, and the means which they adopt, 

 to procure their food. For the latter purpose, nature has 

 furnished them with a proboscis, or snout, which, when they 

 are not feeding, is extended in a horizontal position, along 

 the belly, and between the legs ; it is armed at the end, with 

 a very fine, and sting-like point, which they have the power 

 of projecting, or withdrawing, at pleasure ; with this instru- 

 ment, they pierce the sap vessels of the tree, and suck out 

 the juices from thence, through the proboscis. They do not 

 frequent the leaves, and tender shoots of the trees, as other 

 species of the Aphides do, but they inflict a more deadly 

 wound, by extracting the sap, as it circulates beneath the 

 bark. Their snouts are not sufficiently strong to effect this pur- 

 pose, by penetrating the outer bark, except at the knots and 

 joints, where it is the thinnest ; but they generally insinuate 



