Prof. Trimen notes that when the bug has reached 
about one-sixth of an inch in length it begins to secrete 
the snow-white, waxy, but cotton-like, matter, which 
presently forms a nest beneath the mother insect for the 
salmon-coloured eggs. “ For some time after the white 
secretion ” has begun to grow the Dorthesia remains 
tolerably active, continuing to move about, and change 
its feeding-ground on “ the plant; but gradually, as the 
ova develop and the cottony secretion proportionately 
enlarges, its power of motion seems to decrease, and at 
length it remains firmly anchored to one spot by its 
sucker”; and as time goes on the newly-hatched young 
are to be found which leave the cottony nest beneath the 
dead mother, and, being gifted with much greater powers 
of locomotion at this stage than later on, seek actively 
for a suitable place where they may settle down to feed 
(see Prof. Trimen’s Report). 
The observations of Mr. Bairstow and Prof. Trimen, 
above quoted, taken together, give a large part of the 
life-history that is needed for practical service. We 
have observations of the eggs hatching in the white 
deposit, and the little buglets coming out and spreading 
actively from under the dead skin of the mother bug ; 
also of this activity continuing more or less from about 
the beginning of February until at least the 21st of 
March ; we have further the observations of the white 
secretion under the bug beginning when it is about the 
sixth of an inch long ; and also we have observations 
of the gradually settling down into stationary condition 
of the female bug, as the amount of white waxy deposit 
increases until she becomes a mere dead husk covering 
the eggs and hatching young. The whole process 
extends over many weeks, and gives ample opportunity 
for immense damage to be caused by the bugs. 
Whether the male of the Icerya purcliasi has been 
observed in Africa with identification on the spot does 
not appear to have been reported, and therefore, as 
Prof. Riley has done me the favour (when these notes 
were going to press) to place proofs of his valuable 
