BECENT STUDIES OP THE MEXICAN COTTON BOLL WEEVIL 33 



The eggs deposited were tested for the maturing of adults, but 

 none emerged, possibly owing to the cold weather. Native weevils 

 were maturing in small numbers under the same conditions at this 

 time, but as the number tested was so small there may not be any 

 significance in this fact. 



These weevils were also tested for their ability to subsist on a 

 diet of Hibiscus syriacus. The detailed results of this test have been 

 published in the paper on the feeding habits of the weevils. As only 

 blooms were available no tests were made of the ability of these 

 weevils to breed in the buds of this plant, but they seemed as well 

 adapted to the plant as the native and Thurberia weevils. 



DEVELOPMENT OF THURBERIA THESPESIOIDES. 



On May 21 a supply of seeds of Thurberia from the Santa Rita 

 Mountains, Ariz., were planted at Victoria. A bed of rather sandy 

 soil was selected in a well-drained situation. On May 26 the first 

 seedling appeared above the ground and 11 plants were visible by 

 June 1 . Although over 100 seeds were planted only these 1 1 sprouted. 



These plants grew rather rapidly for a couple of months but 

 formed no lateral branches of any consequence. The growth was 

 entirely upward and the stems were very thm, causing the plants to 

 require staking to prevent drooping. About August 20 a number 

 of fruiting branches appeared near the top of the plants and these 

 developed very rapidly. At this time the larger plants were 3^ 

 feet in height. On August 26 the first bud was observed and many 

 more appeared daily for a period of about three weeks. Then 

 fruiting was discontinued for a couple of weeks followed by the 

 production of more fruiting branches. These plants continued to 

 grow with intermittent formation of buds until the observations 

 were discontinued on November 6. At this time several of the 

 plants were more than 4 feet in height. 



At Batesburg, S. C, Mr. E. A. McGregor planted about 100 of these 

 seeds in a sandy bed. Not a single one of these appeared above the 

 soil. 



At Tallulah, La., Mr. G. D. Smith planted a number of seeds 

 and only one sprouted. This plant lived through the season. 



EXAMINATION OF THURBERIA BOLLS. 



On March 10, 1914, the writer examined part of a lot of infested 

 Thurberia bolls which had been collected by Messrs. Schwarz and 

 Barber at from 4,500 to 5,000 feet altitude in Stone Cabin Canyon, 

 Santa Rita Mountains, Ariz., on December 6, 1913. These bolls 

 were shipped to Washington shortly after collection and placed in a 

 cool cellar there until the day of examination. Seventy-seven of 



