xxvin 
INTRODUCTION. 
rial had been accumulated for a special report on tbe subject, of which 
Congress ordered (March 3, 1879) 10,000 copies to be published. In the 
spring of 1879 the investigation was, by act of Congress, transferred 
from this department to the United States Entomological Commission, 
which was then under the Interior Department. Owing to difficulties 
which grew out of this action, we resigned the position of entomologist 
to the Department of Agriculture, under Commissioner Le Due, to take 
effect May 1, 1S79, and at the next formal meeting of the Commission, 
in subdividing the labors of its members, this cotton-insect work was 
assigned to the writer. He has, therefore, had entire charge of the same, 
and is alone responsible for the work and for this report. 
The historic facts just related have no interest here except as they 
necessarily bear on the investigation, which Congress evidently in- 
tended to be continued under the same direction as that under which 
it had been instituted. But, as we have just seen, a special report 
on the subject under the Department of Agriculture had been ordered. 
Under these circumstances it became very desirable not only that the 
work we had done on that report should be properly brought to a close, 
but that there should be no duplication of work subsequently and no 
conflict between the Department and the Commission. We left the 
Department with the hope that such would be the case, and in the 
appointment of Prof. J. H. Comstock as our successor we anticipated 
the realization of our hopes, not only because of his assurances to that 
effect and to the effect that those who had been associated with us in 
the office and were familiar with the work and our plans should be 
retained, but because he himself had done the most efficient field work 
as one of our assistants and was well qualified to complete the report. 
However much we may regret that those hopes were subsequently not 
realized, or deplore the subsequent action of the Department in ac- 
tively continuing this special investigation and in opposing the Com- 
mission, it is sufficient, in this connection, merely to mention the facts. 
Preparations were made, in accordance with the law, to continue the 
work under the Commission after July 1, 1879. The following circular 
was sent to correspondents : 
[Circular Xo. 7.] 
RELATING TO THE COTTON WORM. 
Department of the Interior, 
Office of the U. S. Entomological Commission, 
, 
Mr. : 
Dear Sir: The undersigned has for many years keenly felt that there was great 
need of more accurate knowledge of the habits of the Cotton Worm (Aletia argillaeea) 
and of the other insects injuriously affecting the cotton plant, as also of more satisfac- 
tory means of counteracting their injuries. Recognizing the vast importance of the 
subject to the people of the South, one of his first efforts, after accepting the position 
