49 
work demanded, until now quite a complete laboratory has been fitted 
up, sufficient to carry on to a finish ail the work and experimentation 
which it will be possible to execute. 
The diseased insects and worms from which the cultures On hand 
have been made were obtained from various sources from entomological 
workers throughout the country. 
Extensive and conclusive experiments with theinsect diseases on hand 
were not made for the same reasons stated by Professor McNeill. The 
status of this portion of the work is, therefore, much the same as the 
latter, viz, ready for extensive and thorough work during the approach- 
ing season. The few observations made are encouraging, but do not 
warrant any definite and positive statements at this time. 
It seems highly probable that the Boll Worm is readily susceptible to 
the cabbage- worm disease. Dr. Booth in one instance fed Boll Worms 
upon diseased cabbage worms, which Boll Worms later died. Cul- 
tures were obtained from these dead Boll Worms. Mounts from the 
cultures were made later and studied with a microscope. Micrococci 
were present in great abundance. At Holly Springs, Mississippi, some 
Boll Worms were accidentally placed in a breeding cage in which dead 
cabbage worms had been temporarily placed. A number of these Boll 
Worms died at various intervals. The dead worms were sent to Dr. 
Booth, who made cultures from their dead and decaying bodies. Ex- 
amination of mounts made from these cultures again showed micro- 
cocci in abundance. The above evidence is not direct and positive ; is 
merely indicative, and at best unscientific. It consists simply of obser- 
vations noted during the progress of the work, and simply indicates that 
scientific experiments may prove successful. 
Though no experiments could be made upon the Boll Worms with 
other insect diseases, the interesting and important discovery was made 
at Holly Springs, Mississippi, that the Boll Worm itself is subject to a 
disease. The disease is not confined to the larval stage, but has been 
obtained from all the stages of the species. Two females issued on the 
night of September 14. On the second day, it was noticed that the 
moths were rather sluggish and that the abdomen was greatly dis- 
tended. By the next day the females were absolutely helpless, and the 
abdomen so decomposed that it barely held together while pinning the 
moth. The last signs of life of the moth consist of peculiar alternate 
openings and closings, contracting and expanding of the anus and gen- 
ital organs. At the time it did not occur to me that it was a disease of 
the species, and it was only the peculiar manner of the dying of the 
moth which had attracted my attention. Hence it was that the moths 
were simply pinned and placed in insect boxes. This was done Septem- 
ber 17. November 28, the abdomen of the moth was accidentally 
broken off and the internal parts were found to be partially liquid. 
Erom this partially liquid portion tubes of beef broth were inoculated, 
as also from a whitish, waxy, gelatinous substance in the extreme poste- 
23024— No. 24 4 
