l!2 HOT-HOUSE INSECTS, ETC. [January 



houses about Philadelphia within these few years, and, if not 

 instantly destroyed, increases rapidly. It is of a white dusty 

 colour; when broken, of a brownish red, generally covered 

 with down, under which it deposits its eggs ; and they, in a 

 few months, come forth in great numbers. The cocus gene- 

 rally is of a dormant nature, but in warm weather they may 

 be seen rapidly moving up the stems of the plants. Fumi 

 gating has no observable effect on these insects; therefore, 

 as soon as they appear, recourse must be had to other means. 

 The liquid made from the following receipt is death to any 

 of the Cocus tribe : Take ^wo pounds of strong soap, one 

 pound of flour of sulphur, one pound of leaf tobacco, one 

 and a half ounce of nux vomica, with a tablespoonful of tur- 

 pentine, which boil in four gallons of river water to three; 

 then set aside to cool. When boiling, stir it well with a 

 stick, continuing to do so until it is reduced as above. In 

 this liquor immerse the whole plant, drawing it to and fro 

 gently, that the liquor may penetrate everywhere. This 

 done, lay the plant on its side, until it begins to dry, then 

 syringe well with clean water, and put it in its respective sta- 

 tion. Where a collection of plants is free from any insects 

 of the kind, every plant that is introduced ought to be mi- 

 nutely scrutinized, that the unclean may be kept from the 

 clean : the above insects will feed almost on any plant, but 

 indulges on Crdsulas, any of the bristly Cactus, Gardenias, 

 and in fact whatever is in tLo 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 ir winter to abound in those situa- 

 tions which are most excluded from air ; therefore is of less 

 importance than the other rpecies, which eat and corrode the 

 leaves of tender plants. A washing with strong soapsuds 

 will destroy them, or the above liquid will do it more effectu- 

 ally. Tie a piece of sponge on the end of a small stick, and 

 scrub every leaf, stem, and crevice. Fumigating destroys the 

 larvae of this species. 



Cocus , or small white scaly insect, whk \ 



generally infests Cycas, 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, 



