he touch. The dust settles on it, too and a growth
something like mould often turns it black--as we find to our discomfort.

But when the honey dew is fresh the bees love it. They collect large
quantities of it and make it into honey. Squirrels like it to.

It is great fun to watch the nimble squirrel folk sitting in the trees
and holding a leaf between their little hands while they lick off the
honey dew.

Children sometimes suck the honey dew from the leaves in back country
places, where sugar is scarce and where candy is seldom to be had.

Which side of the leaf does the aphid prefer?

Yes, it is on the under side always.

I wonder why.

John says the aphides would be better protected in case of a shower.

Ned says the skin is tenderer on the under side and easier to pierce.

Mollie thinks they want to be in the shade out of the hot sunshine.

I should not wonder if all of these reasons were right.

My little aphid, how many wings have you when you have any?

Yes, little Nell, they have four of the daintiest, prettiest little
wings you ever saw.

[Illustration]

True enough, most of them have no wings at all.

[Illustration]

John thinks those must be young ones.

Sometimes they are, but not always. Many of the adult aphids have no
wings.

The aphids are very curious insects, and when you are older I hope you
will remember to study them carefully.

No, John, not all species of aphides make honey dew.

Some form instead a white, powdery substance that is seen scattered over
the body.

May says that must be the kind she has.

Let us see. Yes, May's aphids produce the white powder instead of honey
dew.

That is _their_ way of getting rid of the waste matter.

May says she is glad to know that; she thought her aphids had something
the matter with them. They seemed to be falling to pieces.

No, May, they are not falling to pieces; that powder can all be rubbed
off, and there are your aphids whole and sound beneath it.

Do you know that some species of your funny little tree hoppers secrete
honey dew also, and even have ants to attend them? See if you can find
some of these this summer.

Sometimes aphids live on the roots of plants as well as on the leaves.

Yes, indeed, May, they are very destructive insects. We have to spray
our house plants to get rid of them, and often our garden flowers as
well, and they do a great deal of damage to fruits and vegetables, and
one of them, the phyllo