280 
NATURAL HISTORY 
TREE LOUSE. 
The Tree Louse, or Aphis, is a very 
curious insect, which lives chiefly upon 
sweet briar. It undergoes several changes ; 
in its first state it bears some resemblance 
to the lady cow, but is smaller, and of a 
lively green colour. The next transforma- 
tion alters the form but very little; the 
colour, however, changes to a grey, and the 
insect appears heavier. The last metamor- 
phosis produces a curious winged insect. 
The female is remarkably careful in secur- 
ing her eggs from the attacks of other insects, 
when in search for food. They arc so dimi- 
nutive as to be scarcely perceptible with- 
out a microscope. 
