175 



now the most favorable estimate that could possibly be made, while there may reasonably be 

 expected a decrease from this es'iinate, as the tendency uf weekly receipts as compared with 

 last year is toward a decline of the estimated reduction of the assumed iJii per cent, smaller 

 receipts. 



From tlie lOtli of March to the 18th of April, the receipts have been 

 167,612 bales, against 217,090 last year—a falliug off of 23 per cent, 

 instead of 22, thus more than sustaiuing our correspondent's views. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD. 



By Townend Glover, Entomolgist. 



As horticulturists are very apt to clear their trees in spring of 

 eggs, cocoons, &c., of insects, imagining that they are all injurious to 

 vegetation, it will be well to warn them that some species are benefi- 

 cial, by destroying injurious insects, and their clusters of eggs should be 

 preserved, wherever found. Among these, a hexagonal mass of eggs will 

 frequently be met with, cemented together with a species of gum or 

 resin, which is said to be gathered from the tree by the female. This in- 

 sect is commonly known in Maryland by the name of devil's horse, or 

 nine-pronged wheel-bug, Prionotus cristatus of Linn., or Rediivins novena- 

 rms of Say. These hexagonal masses of eggs are deposited on the bark of 

 trees, on fence-rails, under the eaves of out-buildings, or wherever the 

 female chances to be at the time of oviposition, to the number of 70 or 

 more, each egg, when separated from the mass, presenting the appear- 

 ance of a somewhat Jsquare flask, standing on its own bottom. The 

 larvae when young, are blood-red, with black marks, and do not resem- 



ble the adult insect, excepting somewhat in form and habits. The lar- 

 voe, pupae, and perfect insects feed upon all other insects they can over- 

 come, not even sparing their own brethren. When very young, they 



