8 PROLIFERATION IN CONTROL OF BOLL WEEVIL. 
tissue cells upon the boll weevil. It is consequently of an entomolog- 
ical and not a botanical character. The botanical significance of the 
phenomenon has been very fully considered by Mr. O. F. Cook, of the 
Bureau of Plant Industry, to whose publications among those listed 
below @ the reader is referred for a discussion of that part of the subject. : 
DEFINITIONS. 
In order that the statements here made may be readily understood ~ 
by one who is not familiar with terms used in botany or entomology — 
a few general definitions may be in order. In Bulletin No. 45 of the 
Bureau of Entomology, concerning the cotton boll weevil, the term 
“oelatinization”’ was used instead of proliferation, as it was believed — 
that its significance would be better understood by the average reader, — 
though it was realized that, strictly speaking, the term used expressed 
an incorrect idea concerning the nature of the change to which it © 
referred. The term ‘‘proliferation”’ is in general use both in botany — 
and zoology, to denote a growth by the multiplication of elementary — 
parts. In the present case we may define proliferation as bemg the — 
development of numerous elementary cells from parts of the bud or boll - 
which are themselves normally the ultimate product of combinations — 
of much more highly specialized cells. The resulting product is thus | 
composed of comparatively large, thin-walled cells, which are placed so — 
loosely together that the resulting formation is of a soft texture, and — 
has a granular appearance (PI I, fig. 1) which may be plainly seen — 
with the unaided eye. The soft, pulpy nature of this growth led to the — 
choice of the term ‘“ gelatinization”’ as being most appropriate to signify — 
ina general way its appearance and texture. It appears that this forma- — 
tion may originate from various causes in almost any part of the bud or — 
boll (PL. I, figs. 2-4). Whatever may have been the inciting cause, the © 
character of the formation appears very much the same in any case. | 
Undoubtedly, however, certain tissues proliferate more readily than — 
do others. In squares, the outer layer of the column upon which the ~ 
stamens are borne appears to be especially susceptible to stimuli which — 
produce this reaction. In bolls, the cells immediately adjoining the — 
thin, hard layer lining the hulls or carpels are most frequently the ~ 
a Bibliography of Proliferation: 4 
1904. Hunter, W. D., and Hinds, W. E.—The Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil. Bul. No. 
_ 45, Bureau of Entomology, U.S. Dept. Agric., pp. 96-97. ed 
1904. Cook, O. F.—Evolution of Weevil Resistance in Cotton. Science, Vol. XX, pp. | 
666-670. 
1905. Hunter, W. D., and Hinds, W. E.—Bul. No. 51, Bureau of Entomology, U. S.. 
Dept. Agric., pp. 133-134. 
1905. Cook, O. F.—Cotton Culture in Guatemala. Yearbook U. 8. Dept. Agric., f. 
1904, pp. 475-488. 
1906. Cook, O. F.—Weevil Resisting Adaptations of the Cotton Plant. Bul. No. 88, . 
Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. Dept. Agric. . 
