142 HOT-HOUSE INSECTS, &c. [Jan. 



sulas, any of the bristly Cactus, Gardenias, and in fact 

 whatever is in the way. 



Cocus , or brown scaly insect, is frequently 



found on many plants, but we never could perceive that it 

 does any other material injury than soiling them. We 

 have always observed, that it is found in winter to abound 

 in those situations which are most excluded from air; there- 

 fore is of less importance than the other species, which eat 

 and corrode the leaves of tender plants. A washing with 

 strong soap-suds will destroy them, or the above liquid 

 will do it more effectually. Tie a piece of sponge on the 

 end of a small stick, and scrub every leaf, stem and cre- 

 vice. Fumigating destroys the larvae of this species. 



Cocus , or small white scaly insect, which 



generally infests Cycus, Nerium, Oleas, and Acacias, &c., 

 may be destroyed by washing as above with a sponge, and 

 a strong decoction of tobacco, using the liquid about the 

 warmth of 100. Being thus heated, it irritates the insect, 

 when, by easing itself from its bed, the fluid passes under 

 it, and causes immediate death. If it is not thus irritated, 

 it adheres so closely to the foliage, that it will keep you at 

 defiance. The under, or dark side of the leaves is its resi- 

 dence ; and we have observed a plant in a house where 

 there was only light on one side, with the dark side lite- 

 rally covered, while the light side was clean. So much 

 for having houses with plenty of light. The effects of this 

 insect are of a corroding nature, extracting all the juice 

 from the leaf; and where they have got to the extremity, 

 the foliage is completely yellow, and of a decayed appear- 

 ance. 



Cocus , or turtle insect. We have never ob- 

 served this insect arrive to any extent. It is the largest 

 of any known among us, and very like a turtle in minia- 

 ture. On lifting it from the wood, to which it generally 

 adheres, there appear to be hundreds of eggs under it, 

 but fumigating completely destroys the larvae. In our 

 opinion, this turtle insect is no other than the old female 

 of the brown scaly insect, which swells to a large size 

 before depositing its eggs. We have frequently observed 

 the insect dead in this enlarged state, and question if this 

 be not the last stage of its transmigration. The male insect 

 is winged, and very active in its movements. 



