88 



COTTON CULTURE. 



" The cotton fly belongs to that numerous class of in- 

 sects known to naturalists under the terra of phalena, or 

 moth tribe. The following are its specific characters, de- 

 scribed without technicalities. The little horns projecting 

 from the head, terminating in a small point like a bristle, 

 are of a drab color, half an inch long, and about half the 

 length of the body, which measures nearly an inch ; the 

 under surface of the breast is of a dull silvery white, gradu- 



g. 16. THE COTTON MOTH AND CATERPILLAR. 



DESCRIPTION : a, young caterpillar after moulting its skin once ; 5, full grown 

 caterpillar ; c, moth in motion ; ?, moth at rest. 



ally terminating on the belly and wings in a color tending 

 to russet. The upper surface of the wings and back varies 

 somewhat in different individuals, but is generally of a 

 changeable golden color, with rusty, zigzag lines; the 

 tips of the wings are bordered with a narrow strip of pale 

 pink color, and slightly notched. On the upper surface 

 of the wings there are two black spots, one on each, 

 about the middle of the widest part, or that towards the 

 tail. The legs are white, the four posteriors very long 



