299 
cotton fields in many instances with dry dead leaves on the ground 
among the green plants, notably at Beeville and at San Diego, although 
planters often contend that the leaves stay on the plants until "they 
crumble or blow away. Weevils were also found in Allende on the 
cold day above referred to (November 23) around the base of plants, 
under dry fallen leaves. 
In fields where neither cracks, clods, nor fallen leaves exist, as hap 
pens often in southern Texas, where the plants remain green until late 
in winter, I am inclined to think that many weevils winter in the 
squares and under the leaves at the base of the bolls. At Alice and 
Benavides, Tex., the plants were perfectly green December 12, there 
having been no frost. In a field there, on that date, I found weevils 
very numerous inside the squares, as many as four in one square; also 
at the bases of the bolls. Many were neither feeding nor ovipositing, 
but were perfectly inactive. The squares afford excellent protection to 
the weevils in cold or in rainy weather. During rainy weather in San 
Juan Allende (November 28) weevils were found numerously huddled 
in the squares by threes and fours. 
At Monelova occasional frosts occur, and A'ery light ones at Matamoras 
and Brownsville. It is not probable that even freezing would affect the 
weevil, as it is a hardy insect ; but it is safe to say that it can withstand 
as great a degree of frost as can the cotton plant. 
PARASITES AND PROBABLE ENEMIES. 
In San Diego, December 6, I found a hymenopterous parasite in the 
larval state on a larva of the weevil in its cell. This pupated about 
December 15. Apparently the same parasite was found, also on a larva, 
in San Juan Allende, November 2G. At the latter place adults of a 
small black hymenopterous parasite, which may attack the weevil, were 
plentiful in the fields. 
Larvae of Syrphus flies are often met with in the squares. These 
most probably feed on aphides, though it is just possible that they may 
attack the small larvae of the weevil. 
In San Juan Allende a pretty little coccinellid was very common in 
the squares, as were also several species of Scymnus, and it is quite 
possible that these may attack the eggs or young larvae. 
As worthy of notice, it should be mentioned that on several oeca- 
sions a small spider that mimics the weevil was found in the squares 
with the weevils. 
A fungoid parasite, a species of Cordyceps, apparently, was found 
growing out of a dead pupa in its cell in a boll. November 26, in a 
field in San Juan Allende. 
ITS ORIGINAL HABITAT AND HISTORY OF ITS SPREAD. 
It seems proven beyond much doubt, from repeated testimony 
received, that the original home of this insect is the region around 
Monelova, in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. Monelova is about 150 
