COTTON PLANT. 369 



Correapondence relative to the Insect that destroys the Cotton Plant. 



To Thomas Say, Esq., 



Prof, of Natural History^ University of Pennsylvania. 



• Sir : — I have for several years paid some attention to an in- 

 sect which has infested our cotton, whose character and species 

 I have been very desirous of ascertaining. I addressed a letter 

 to Mr. Stephen Pllliott on this subject, and he referred me to 

 you, not being able to give me the description wanted. I also 

 sent to Dr. Samuel Mitchell of New York, but he likewise was 

 not able to give any satisftictory account, and referred me to Mr. 

 Le Cont[e] ; but owing to some adventitious circumstances, I never 

 heard from him, and have now taken the liberty of addressing 

 you, although an entire stranger, and must make my love of the 

 sciences generally, as well as my desire to be acquainted on 

 this particular point, my excuse. I have therefore sent a box 

 containing the moths. They were put into the box in the cater- 

 pillar state, with a few cotton leaves to feed on. After a time 

 they went into the pupa state, and finally became moths. I have 

 written an essay on these insects which is incomplete, from not 

 knowing their scientific name and character. If you will so far 

 oblige me, please address a few lines on the subject to your obe- 

 dient servant, C W. CAPERS. 



New Harmony, Nov. 1, 1827. 

 Sir : — I received your interesting communication of the date 

 of Jan. 21, not until Thursday last, and how to account for its 

 long detention I know not. It was brought by private convey- 

 ance in due time from Philadelphia, so that the delay must have 

 occurred in that city, or on its way there. Any future package 

 you may wish to send mc, may be confided to the care of a house 

 in New Orleans. 



24 



