THE HONEY-BEE. 
121 
fretter. That a species of honey-dew is secreted by 
the Aphides, there can be no doubt; hut that in 
these insects we are to look for its exclusive source, 
is a proposition we do not think borne out by facts. 
“ If it fell from the atmosphere,” says Curtis, “ it 
would cover every thing on which it fell indiscri- 
minately ; whereas, we never find it but on certain 
living plants and trees." The proposition in the be- 
ginning of this quotation we readily accede to ; the 
assertion at its close we can contradict from personal 
observation. We have, as already stated, seen the 
dry stones and gravel walks in the neighbourhood of 
plantations completely spotted with the liquid in a 
sultry summer evening ; and this, be it observed, not 
immediately under the trees, so as to warrant the 
supposition that it had been projected there by the 
aphides above, hut at the distance of many yards 
from any plant or tree on which the insects might 
have taken their station. Curtis maintains, also, that 
“ though wasps are partial to this food, bees appear 
totally to disregard it." He is surely mistaken in 
this. During the continuance of honey-dew, every 
oak, elm, plane, and lime tree is literally covered 
with these insects ; and the observer has only to 
bring the tip of his tongue in contact with one of the 
,eaves, to be convinced that the honey-dew is there, 
and that this is the great attraction to the bees, which 
are eagerly availing themselves of the liquid treasure, 
and expressing their delight in the joyous hum that 
is heard over head. The most obvious way, per- 
haps, of reconciling such well-known facts with the 
