LEAF INSECT 



3357 



LEAP YEAR 



LEAF INSECT, an East Indian insect, re- 

 markable for its resemblance to a green leaf, 

 and for this reason sometimes called walking 

 leaf. It is bright green in color, and measures 

 about three inches in length. Its foliagelike 

 appearance is due both to the broad, ribbed 

 wings and to the leaflike expansions at the 

 joints of the legs. Even the eggs bear a 

 curious similarity to the seeds of plants. Leaf 

 insects are found under wood or shrubs, where 

 on account of their form and color, they are 

 not readily discovered. They feed upon leaves 

 at night, and are usually quiet during the day. 

 Other species found in Eastern countries and 

 on the islands of the Indian Ocean are yellow 

 or brown in color and look much like withered 

 leaves. Certain wingless species resemble slen- 

 der twigs. 



LEAGUE, leeg, a measure of length of 

 ancient origin. The Romans derived it from 

 the Gauls and computed it as equivalent to 

 1,500 Roman paces, or 1.376 modern English 

 miles. The league was introduced into Eng- 

 land by the Normans, probably in' 1066, and it 

 then equaled two English miles of the period, 

 or 2.9 modern English miles. At the present 

 time it is a marine measure, equivalent to three 

 geographical miles, or 3.456 statute miles. The 

 same marine league is in use in other countries. 

 Prior to the introduction of the metric system 

 the French applied the term to two land meas- 

 ures, the legal posting-league, or 2.42 English 

 miles, and the league of twenty-five to the 

 degree, or 2.76 statute English miles. 



LEAGUE OF NATIONS, a worldwide union 

 of great and small countries, designed as an 

 international force which should guarantee jus- 

 tice to all peoples and make future wars impos- 

 sible. It was made the foundation on which 

 the Treaty of Versailles was built in 1919, ter- 

 minating the monstrous War of the Nations. 

 To say that every part of the peace treaty is 

 dependent on the League is to state a fact. 

 The peace conference determined that a moral 

 and legal union of powers would be necessary 

 to guarantee the proper enforcement of the 

 multitudinous decrees of the treaty ; to set new 

 countries in Central Europe up in "national 

 housekeeping" and help maintain them against 

 angry and jealous neighbors, and to provide 

 a world clearing house for the settlement of 

 grievances which heretofore have been the fore- 

 runners of war. 



The first suggestion regarding such a league 

 was presented by President Wilson early in 1918, 

 as one of fourteen points which ought to be 



considered in bringing the war to a close. 

 While the President's plan was little understood 

 at the time, it was respectfully accepted for con- 

 sideration by all the governments concerned. 



The first draft of the treaty of peace con- 

 tained objectionable features relating to the 

 League of Nations, and amendments were made. 

 As finally approved by all the signatory powers, 

 including Germany, the covenant contains 

 twenty-six articles. They deal with the League's 

 organization; provide for membership and 

 withdrawal of nations; set forth conditions of 

 arbitration of national disputes; outline pro- 

 cedure in the matter of subjects submitted to 

 the League for decision; provide headquarters 

 for the League (at Geneva, Switzerland), a per- 

 manent secretary and working force, and author- 

 ize annual meetings of representatives of the 

 member nations. 



That the League may be a powerful world 

 influence is conceded by statesmen, but its use- 

 fulness depends upon the cordial cooperation of 

 all member states. In August, 1919, it had not 

 been approved for the United States by the 

 United States Senate, a power concurrent with 

 the President in treaty-making. 



The late enemy nations are to be admitted 

 as soon as their good will is established. 



LEAMINGTON, lem'ingtun, a town in Es- 

 sex County, Ontario. It is situated on Lake 

 Erie, and is the southernmost town in Canada. 

 Windsor is thirty miles northwest. Railway 

 transportation is provided by the Michigan 

 Central and Pere Marquette railways, and an 

 electric line extends to Windsor ; steamers com- 

 municate with Pelee Island, on the south. 

 Leamington is located in a district rich in agri- 

 cultural products, especially in corn, tobacco, 

 small fruits and vegetables. Large capital is 

 invested in the tobacco industry in this 

 locality, and the largest early vegetable hot- 

 house in Ontario is located here. The leading 

 manufactories make baskets, handles, cigars, 

 foundry, machine shop and planing-mill prod- 

 ucts. Natural gas and oil are found in the 

 vicinity. Leamington is an attractive town 

 with fine, shady streets and handsome resi- 

 dences. Sea Cliff Park, a delightful outing 

 place on the coast, is owned by the town. 

 Population, 1911, 2,652; in 1916, 2,750. 



LEAP YEAR, a year which has 366 days, 

 or one day more than an ordinary year. The 

 extra day is added to the month of February. 

 The origin of the name is unknown, but it 

 probably arose from the fact that any date in 

 a leap year after the added day of February 



