NOTES. 
[97] 
and there are many general descriptions of the egg, larva, and pnpa, several of which, 
especially where accompanied with accurate figures, will serve to identify the species 
on the part of those who have not previously become familiar with it. But of the egg 
and the different larval stages, and even of the papa, there are no such technical de- 
scriptions as will euable the entomologist to discriminate between these different states 
and those of 6ome of the closer related species. This is particularly true of the early 
larval stages. Dr. C. W. Capers is usually referred to as having given the earliest 
full descriptions of egg, larva, and pupa, and in order to indicate how very general 
those descriptions were and how thoroughly they are lacking in the characteristic 
struc tural details, wo reproduce the descriptive portion of his otherwise excellent ar- 
ticle published in 1828. His description of the egg would apply more truly to that 
of ( hrifsopa, from which it was probably drawn. 
[From the Southern Agriculturist and Register of Rural Affairs, vol. i, for the year 
1-:-. Charleston. Art. II.— On the Cotton Caterpillar, by Dr. C. W. Capers, of 
Saint Helena Island, pp. 203-209. Portion quoted, pp. 204-208.] 
11 I have not been able to ascertain the exact period when the cotton caterpillar first 
made it9 appearance in this country ; but the earliest intelligence of them which could 
1).' gathered from the best planters, of their destroying the cotton, was in the year 
1800. The accounts given of insects of a prior date destroying the indigo and other 
plants, were undoubtedly of another species. In the year 1K)4, their numbers were so 
great, as to nearly destroy the cotton crops; but a storm, which arose on the ^th of 
September, proved so destructive to the in, that they weie not seen in any great num- 
bers, us far as I can learn, for many succeeding ye'ars; and, although iu the course of 
a few wars they were to be found on many plantations, yet, the injury done by them 
was not very general or great in amount ; — and it was observed, thai certain planta- 
tions, and even certain spots upon it, were the first to be visited by them. In the 
year 1^23, they commenced very early, and were spreading rapidly, when they were 
again cutoff by the storm which took place on the 14 1 h of September. Immediately after 
the storm, I went into the cotton fields, and could see a small numbers of 1 he caterpillars 
still remaining; but iu the course of a few days, they totally disappeared, and it was 
confident ly trusted by the planter, that the elements w ou'd once more relieve him from 
this devouring insect, and was, in this manner. consoled for the loss sustain' d. But 
this proved fallacious, and t he following year t he crops were more rapid ly and effect- 
ually destroyed than in any which preceded it. The earliest not ice taken of them 
was on the 1st of August, at a plantation upon this island, aud soon afterwards they 
were found in various parts of it. and information received, that they were in all direc- 
tions upon the sea-coast from North-Carolina to New-Orleans. 
"On the 23d of September, they had consumed nearly all the cotton leaves, all the 
upper pods, and some of i he latter of a size almost ready to open. At this time they 
quitted the cotton plants, and the whole earth seemed to be amoving mass end com- 
pletely alive as these insects crawled along on its surface. A few of them remained 
upon the cotton stalks, but, in consequence of 1 heir want of food, they ( hanged their 
color and became dull and languid, and finally perished. I have never been able to 
account, satisfactorily, for the sudden manner of these insects quitting the cotton 
plant. It was not for the purpose of webbing, for most of them were young; and 
when they web, it is always on the cotton stalk, or some neighboring plant) unless 
when it is for the winter. Nor was it. in all instances, for the want of food ; for, in 
most holds, thero were certain spots which they had left untouched. The only rea- 
son which I could assign was, that having consumed the leaves from the cotton, they 
were directly exposed to the sun's rays ; which, from a meteorological journal I at that 
time kept, were observed to be very powerful. Whatever the true reason might be, 
Bnob is the fact, that they appeared to leave the cotton simultaneously, and in the 
course of a few days, but a small number of these myriads were anywhere to be seen. 
We have, every year since, had them in particular places, but not in such numbers as 
to do much mischief. Their early appearance in the summer months, much depends 
upon the temperature of the preceding winter ; and this must, of course, influence 
their numbers, which will be more fully explained when giving a description of tho 
habits of tho insect. 
u The Noctua Xylina is an inhabitant of the seacoast of our southern couutry. now 
it first came here, whether by flight, as some have supposed, or brought in the chrys- 
alis, a thing much more likely, I am unable to determine. The changes which the 
different' insects undergo through the successive stages of their brief existence, are 
familiar to most persons. Nothing can be more unlike than the worm craw ling upon 
tho earth or on the plant, and feeding upon its leaves and tender parts, and the moth 
or butterfly to which it has been converted, expanding its brilliant wings in the air, 
or passing from flower to flower. These changes form a complete circle, multiplying 
G3 CONG — AP 7 
