25 
the number and distribution of eggs in averages was as follows: per 
plant, 7; leaves, 4; involucre, 1; stem and petiole, each, 1. These are 
the data for plants examined at random at different times while mak- 
ing observations. Bearing upon the choice of the place of deposition 
the record of the female already spoken of as depositing in confinement 
is interesting, and for the whole period of deposition was as follows: 
on leaves, upper side, 37; under side, 110; stem, 23; petiole, 51; in- 
volucre, 4; 
The eggs are deposited upon quite a number of host plants. Corn is 
unquestionably preferable if not too near maturity. Cotton perhaps 
ranks next, though they deposit freely upon cowpeas. In addition to 
these the moth was observed to deposit on the flower heads ot Helenium 
tenuifolium, Amarantus spinosus, and A. retroflecus with Datura stra- 
monium, upon which the moth feeds occasionally, Mrigeron canadense, 
and a species of Panicum, on the doubdtful list. Deposition was not. 
actually observed on any other host plants, though presumably the moth 
will deposit on those plants upon which the worm is known to feed. 
The food of the moth is quite diversified. During the night, so far 
as observed, the secretions of the various glands of cotton seem to be 
their main food, while during the day the same may be said of cow- 
peas, Helenium tenuifolium, and to a lesser degree of newly protruding 
corn tassels; occasionally, Amarantus retroflecus, A spinosus, Datura 
stramonium, and perhaps some of the grasses. There may be many 
other flowers, glands, possibly also fruits, which are visited, but which 
did not come under observation. 
The regular flight of the moth is very swift and never very high. In 
flying some distance in a cotton field it seldom rises to the level of the 
tops of the cotton plants, but flies lower, darting this way and that be- 
tween the plants and foliage in the rows, and in this way from row to 
row across the field. This manner of flight is also of importance in ad- 
justing lights as traps for them, and is referred to its appropriate 
heading. 
During the greater portion of the day the moths remain hid. If in 
corn field they are found down behind the sheath of the blades of the 
stalks, about two or three feet from the ground. But most of the moths 
hide outside of both corn and cotton fields, around the edges in the 
weeds, under dried grass and rubbish, or in adjoining fields of clover 
or cowpeas. When found hiding in these places they are usually upon 
or near the ground, wings folded upon the body, and so located that a 
dried blade of grass or other object quite completely hides them from 
view. 
NUMBER OF BROODS AND HIBERNATION. 
Observations having only begun in August, the notes taken begin 
with the fourth brood. which is the one which first begins to deposit 
freely on cotton. 
