44 
BRITISH APHIDES. 
note taken by myself at the moment, wbicb bears on 
this subject Bright sunny morning. The under- 
sides of the oak trees well tenanted by winged and 
apterous females of Callipterus quercus. The upper 
surfaces of the leaves of the Portugal laurels, growing 
under the oaks, are freely sprinkled with shining spots 
of honey dew. On gently touching one of the winged 
females the abdomen was raised, and a bright particle, 
easily seen in the sunshine, was projected from the 
summit of one of the short cornicles. The garden 
seats on the open lawn are also sprinkled with the 
same spots. This last fact can scarcely be recon- 
ciled with the idea that honey dew is of vegetable 
origin.” — Weycombe, Haslemere, Aug. 23rd, 1874. 
Many virtues have been ascribed to the honey dew. 
Professor Passerini^ tells us that in some parts of 
Italy the villagers collect it from the elm tree, and use 
it as a vulnerarium under the name of Olia di S. 
Giovanni. A knowledge of the quasi-healing pro- 
perties of the liquid does not, however, appear to be 
confined to the peasants of Italy. Bonnet says both 
ants and physicians resort to Aphides for their 
secretion, dont la medecine fait usage.” 
A recent writer also says — That the liquid found 
in the pseudo-galls of the elm is, under the name of 
Eau d’orme, collected in France, and is supposed to 
be a cure for sore eyes. After the galls are dried, a 
balsamic residuum is found within them, which, under 
the name of Baume d’ormeau,” has some reputation 
for diseases of the chest. f 
Occasionally in this country very large purses or 
pseudo-galls, equalling the bulk of a large fig, may be 
gathered from the wych and other elm trees. If 
they are opened before the contained Aphides have 
generally assumed wings, they will be found to enclose 
a considerable quantity of a liquid which has a 
mawkish sweet taste. I have obtained globules of this 
Passerini, ‘ Prospetto dei Generi della Famiglia degli Afidi.’ 
I Note by M, 0. Cooke, ‘ Ent. Month. Mag./ voL iii, p. 190. 
