546 



The Peruvian cotton is the product of the so-called cotton tree, growing upon 

 plants or small trees from 8 to 12 feet in height. The peculiarity of its fiber is almost 

 the opposite of the characteristics of the Egyptian. "Where the latter approaches 

 silk the Peruvian cotton might be compared with wool; in fact it is sometimes 

 called wool cotton. On account of the tieeciness of its staiile it is generally used in 

 mixtures with wool, especially for rough fabrics and for certain classes of hosiery 

 and knit goods. 



It would seem that this country, with its unrivaled conditions for the production 

 of cotton, might be aide to produce every quality of fiber demanded by our mauu- 

 factiirors for use in any class of goods. There are, of course, jieculiar climatic con- 

 ditions surrounding tho cultivation of cotton in Egypt and in South ^Uuerica, but it 

 would seem that with our extent of territory, approaching as near a tropical climate 

 as we do, some area might be found for the production of either or both. 



The caiming inihiHiry. — The number of ca.ses of canned corn and 

 tomatoes packed in the United State.^^ in 1801 is estimated as folh)ws: 

 Corn 2,799,453, tomatoes 3,405,365. The value of tlie canned goods 

 ex])oited in 1891 is estimated as follows : Salmon $2,090,957, ether fish 

 $139,392, beef $9,068,900, fruits $703,880, vegetables $286,321, total, 

 $12,295,456. 



DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



Insect Life, Vol. IV, Nos. 5 and 0, Decembek, 1891 (i»p. 163-230, 

 figs. 14). — The principal articles in this double number are those briefly 

 snmniaiized below: 



Mr. Kochch^s second trip to Australia (pp. 163, 104). — With the aid of 

 funds appropriated by the California State legislature, ^Ir. Koebele has 

 been sent to Australia and New Zealand to .search for beneficial insects. 

 Four .species of ladybirds have been sent to California irom Honolulu 

 for use against the black scale {Leeaniiim olea^). Specimens of Scym- 

 nus arrrptus, S. consor, S. rillosus, S.farihirtus, and «S'. fofliis were col- 

 lected in New Zealand and sent to California, though it is doubtful 

 whether thi^y will accomplish any better results than thcs]»eciesof this 

 genus already there. From Sidney were sent Orcus ehalybeux, O. aus- 

 tnilaxiw, and a number of Scymnids — enemies of the red scale; another 

 s])ccies found feeding on the flat scale (Lrcnnium hesprri(h(m) and the 

 black .scale; and Jais cunf'onni.s, enemy of the woolly root louse of the 

 ajiple. A number of these insects were received alive at Los Angeles, 

 and an atteni])t will be made to ]>ro]>agate them in California. 



^VlK■(^t and (p(t.ss stiirjUcs, (\ ]'. Jxilcy aiuJ C. L. M<irhttt (pp. 168-179). — 

 lieference is made to previous notes on sawflies in Bulletin No. 4 of this 

 Division and in the Annual Keport of the Kntomologist for 1884, and on 

 the European c<Hn .siwtly {Ctplni.s pyf/nuviis) in bulletin No. 11 of the 

 New York Cornell Station (see Experiment Station Eecord, vol. i, p. 

 277), and in Insect Life, vol. ii, p. 286. Accounts are given of ob.serva- 

 tions on five forms of larva» of T>oleniN sj))). found on Graminew in this 

 country. The adults of liut two species, />. arrrnsis and I>. collaris, 

 have been bred. A female fly of the former species is illustrated. The 

 eggs, larva?, and adults of Xematus {Mcssa?) niary1aii(licu.s are described 

 and illustrated, and a brief account is given of the habits of this insect. 



