INSECTS. 
97 
It is very often the case that the effect is thus mistaken for the cause, 
and that insects perfectly innocent are blamed for a disease with which 
they have nothing to do, except that they resort to the already in- 
jured bolls for food or shelter. 
The insects in decaying and rotted bolls of cotton are very numer- 
ous, hut most of them are quite small. 
ANOTHER INSECT 
(Oarpophilus?) 
. Was found in such bolls (PI. IX. fig. 1) as were either bored 
into by the boll-worm, or had been split open by the rot, and did hot 
appear upon the bolls unless they had been previously injured. I 
have counted as many as thirty of these beetles in a single diseased 
boll, and there is scarcely an injured or split boll in some fields in 
which one or more of them is not to be found. They likewise occur 
in considerable numbers in the tops of such ears of maize as have 
been eaten out by the corn-worm, (heliothes,) (see Report for 1854,) 
and have much ol the sap exuding, or are covered with a fuugoid 
growth. They appear to dislike light, and seek shelter in dark 
places, secure from the rays of the sun. 
i his insect is about the tenth of an inch in length, and of a brown 
color ; the wing-cases are short, covering only about two-thirds of the 
abdomen. The larva is a small yellow grub, with six fore-legs, and 
two points at the end of the tail, and is often found in the rotted 
parts of the bolls. 
If this insect were to be found in the bolls before they were already 
rotted, or to be seen in the act of piercing the outer case, it might, 
perhaps, with reason, be accused of causing the disease ; but, as they 
are never found inside before the rot has commenced, it is very much 
to be doubted whether they have anything to do with it, or merely visit 
such places for the purpose of obtaining a food suitable to their taste, 
or a dark sheltered place in accordance with their habits. 
THE SQUARE-NECKED SYLVANUS. 
(Sylvanus quadricollis.) 
The larva and perfect insect of this minute beetle (PI. IX. fig. 2) 
has already been figured, in the Agricultural Report for 1854, where 
it is described as having been found in Indian corn. It also frequents 
diseased cotton-bolls, most probably for the sake of the seed, which 
is generally exposed to its attacks, when the boll has been split open 
by disease. 
ANOTHER INSECT 
Was also found very numerous in some of the rotted bolls ; but as 
soon as the latter wero taken from the plant and opened, the beetles 
ran off with great rapidity, and endeavored to hide themselves under 
any substance that would serve as a place of shelter. They appeared 
