INFLUENCE OF WIND. 121 



Certainly the presence of cotton-worms in Florida, Georgia, and Ala- 

 bama cannot be dependent upon the incursion of moths from those 

 islands, neither does it seem probable that swarms of moths come into 

 those States annually from Mexico by way of Texas, Louisiana, and 

 Mississippi. In the first place but little cotton is grown in the northern 

 part of Mexico ; secondly, the worms appear as early in Alabama, Georgia, 

 and Florida as they do in Texas, which would not be the case if their 

 presence were dependent upon flights of moths via the latter State. 



Briefly, our conclusions are that although the adult Aletia may occa- 

 sionally come into the Gulf States from regions farther south, the pres- 

 ence of the cotton- worm in those States is not dependent upon such im- 

 migrations. 



INFLUENCE OF WINDS ON IMMIGRATION OF MOTHS. 



In the course of the present investigation considerable attention has 

 been given to a study of the winds of the Southern States as bearing on 

 the theory of migrations of the moths. The results of this study are 

 quite important. For, although there is no doubt that the moths sur- 

 vive the winter in all of the Gulf States, it is of interest to know if we 

 are also subject to immigrations of this pest. 



As to the question whether the winds from the south are sufficiently 

 strong and constant to counteract the prevailing trade winds, which are 

 toward the equator, the opinions of correspondents differ widely. In some 

 instances the question has not been fully understood, the replies being 

 found too unintelligible to use as evidence either way. As a brief sum- 

 mary of opinions, however, it may be stated that 60 per cent, of the replies 

 affirm that the south winds are sufficiently strong to counteract the trade 

 winds, 28 per cent, are in the negative, with 5 per cent, of doubtful answers. 

 Some of the statements are made most positively, and seem almost con- 

 vincing in regard to migration of the moths. Mr. E. M. Thompson, of 

 Jefferson, Ga., mentions that strange birds and fowls, foreign to the 

 climate, are found in his locality, blown and left there by southerly winds, 

 and, from this circumstance, is of the opinion that the south winds are 

 sufficiently constant and heavy to bring the moths from that direction. 



The following extracts are given as examples of the replies under this 

 heading : 



Orangeburyh, Orangeburyh County, South Carolina. During June, July, and August 

 we have strong south wind, beginning about eight o'clock in the morning, and lasting 

 until late at night, plenty strong enough to bring moths from a great distance. [Paul 

 S. Felder. 



Crittenden's Mills, Ala. I- think we have [south winds strong enough to counteract 

 the prevailing trade winds], as, during February and March, the winds blow down 

 many trees here. The southern border of this county is within 50 miles of the Gulf of 

 Mexico; hence we have heavy Gulf winds. [J. C. Matthews. 



Woodi'ille, Wilkinson County, Mississippi. Yes ; beyond a doubt. Nearly every year 

 perhaps I should say every year such winds occur. [D. L. Phares. 



Decaturvllle, Decatur County, Tennessee. There are times when our south and south- 

 west winds are strong enough to counteract any other. [John McMillan. 



Larissa Cherokee County, Texas. There are [strong south winds] caused by the large 



