DISEASES OF THE COTTON PLANT. 183 
middle is replaced by a brown spot surrounded by an 
irregular gray line. The hind-wings resemble those of the 
male in color and markings; the thorax and legs are 
purplish brown, and the abdomen is ochrey yellow, with a 
narrow, purplish-red band on the edge of each wing. 
These moths expand from two inches and three-quarters to 
three inches and a half." 
The only method that can be taken to destroy these 
insects would be to kiU the moths when and wherever 
found, and to strike the caterpillars from the plants and 
then crush them under foot Although they cannot prop- 
erly be classed among the insects very injurious to cotton, 
not being sufficiently numerous to do much harm, yet, if 
left undisturbed, they mdy so increase as to become a 
nuisance to the planter both of cotton and corn. 
The Cotton Torteix. — {Tortrix?) 
When the margins of the leaf of the cotton plant are 
found rolled up and fastened to the main part by means of 
a loose web of silk, it is often discovered to be the work of 
the small tortrix, which makes this shady retreat in order 
to shelter itself from the sun and rain, as likewise for a 
place of concealment from birds and other enemies. 
Sometimes, however, these leaves are similarly rolled up 
by a spider, as a suitable nest or receptacle for its eggs ; 
but, when this is the case, the inside will be found to con- 
tain a silken bag in which the eggs either have been or are 
aboiit to be deposited. 
When disturbed, this caterpillar always retires into its 
place of shelter, and, if forcibly driven out, it is able to 
retreat backward from the open end, and to suspend itself 
in the air by a thread, which issues from its mouth, having 
