8 REPORT UPON COTTON INSECTS. 



so-called "third crop" of tlie worms, in order that some efficient work 

 might be done in this direction, and in order that the report might not 

 be lacking in so important a particular. 



Mr. Trelease, therefore, remained in Dallas County, Alabama, through 

 the summer, confirming the observations of the agents of last year, and 

 conducting an extensive series of experiments. He was recalled to this 

 city September 15. 



The report has been prepared as quickly as was consistent with the 

 other labors of the division. Work was begun upon it as soon as I 

 entered upon my duties, and has been progressing during the entire 

 season. 



Although a great part of the investigation was conducted under the 

 direction of my distinguished predecessor, it is due to him, as well as to 

 myself, to state that the writer alone is responsible for the opinions ex- 

 pressed and the conclusions drawn in the body of this report. 



I take pleasure in acknowledging the valuable aid rendered by the 

 special agents and local observers of the Entomological Division, whose 

 names have already been given. Their special reports appear in Ap- 

 pendix I of this work. An extended correspondence has been carried 

 on with each of these gentlemen, and much valuable data thus obtained 

 which does not appear in their reports. 



Other correspondents of the Department have rendered important 

 assistance, especially in the form of replies to the circular already 

 quoted. The information thus obtained has been classified and forms 

 Appendix II of this work. The names of these correspondents are given 

 in Appendix III. 



It is not possible to give here full credit for the numerous favors and 

 courtesies received from the people of the South by those connected 

 wi.th this investigation. Wherever we went we were received with the 

 utmost hospitality ; and all seemed anxious to facilitate our researches. 



I am indebted to Dr. H. A. Hagen and Dr. D. L. Phares for important 

 bibliographical references ; to Mr. Edmund Burgess for determinations 

 of Diptera; to Eev. H. C. McCook for the descriptions of ants and 

 notes on their habits, given at the close of Chapter VI; to Dr. P. E. 

 Hoy for information respecting the occurrence of Aletia argillacca in 

 Wisconsin ; to the Charleston Library Society for the loan of books ; to 

 Mr. E. T. Cresson for determination of Hymenoptera; to Prof. F. H. 

 King and Dr. Elliott Coues for information respecting the English spar- 

 row, to Mr. Eobert Eidgway for a list of the insectivorous birds of the 

 South; and to Prof. C.V. Eiley for determinations of parasites of Aletia 

 argillacea. 



The original drawings of insects have been made from nature, chiefly 

 by Mr. G. Marx; a few were drawn by Mr. Tli. Pergande, who also ren- 

 dered valuable assistance in making biological observations on the in- 

 sects bred in my office. Assistance was rendered by Mr. C. E. Dodge 



