PEEFACE. 19 



the subject of an extensive volume by Professor 

 Comstock, recently published by the Department 

 of Agriculture, and a shorter one by Professor C. V. 

 Ptiley. Its full history is not yet ascertained, the 

 territory which it covers in its migrations being 

 very extensive. After having studied the worm in 

 the South since 18G8, and having brought the re- 

 sults before the public in a lecture, I endeavoured, 

 in 1874 and subsequently, to interest the Govern- 

 ment in the work of collecting all possible informa- 

 tion on the subject, and advised the gradual accu- 

 mulation of facts relating to the time of appearing, 

 &c., by means of the Postal and Weather Service. 

 Much, I am satisfied, remains to be done in study- 

 ing the relation of its appearance to the prevailing 

 winds. It is probable that repressive measures 

 taken early in the season at certain points to be 

 ascertained would sensibly mitigate its later ravages. 

 The results of the two different inquiries, under- 

 taken under the management of other parties, are 

 before the public ; but the statement of Professor 

 Pdley as to what has been really done towards the 

 protection of the planter seems to me as exaggerated 

 as his various publications on the subject are pre- 

 mature and unfair to other scientists. The labours 

 of Mr. Townend Glover, for instance, his discovery 

 of the attraction presented by the glands of the 

 cotton-plant to the moth, &c., have been appro- 

 priated ; and there has been too much capital 

 manufactured by Professor Pviley at the expense of 

 others, for the mere purpose of making his own 

 position secure. After having ordered Paris Green 



B 2 



