78 LEAVES OF BRAMBLE. 



conjectures by informing me that it was the pathway of 

 a small caterpillar. There are several species of them, 

 which are placed by Reaumur in a tribe called "mi- 

 neuses,'' all of which live upon the parenchyma, or 

 pulpy substance found between the cuticles or skins of 

 leaves, gradually increasing in size until matured for 

 transformation to the chrysalis, when they eat their way 

 through the leaf, ultimately becoming moths, remarka 

 ble for the brilliant metallic lustre of their wings, the 

 fine central line being the rejectments of the creature 

 in the infant stages of its growth. Though several 

 plants afford sustenance to these races, we have none 

 on which this tortuous path is more strongly defined 

 than the leaves of brambles, and the ever-blowing rose. 

 Notices of such incidents may perhaps be considered 

 as too trifling to record ; but the naturalist, from the 

 habit of observing, sees many things not obvious to all 

 persons : his province is to investigate all the operations 

 of nature, and if he record them truly, he has done his 

 duty ; prolix and dull as his remarks will be to some, 

 yet to another ' they may afford information, or tend to 

 elucidate a conjecture. The bramble is a sadly repro- 

 bated plant, and I cannot say much in its favor as an 

 independent individual, nor would I introduce it, to in- 

 commode by its society a thriving mound of white-thorn 

 or of crab : but it generally introduces itself, and will 

 flourish greatly, where other and better fences languish, 

 and then, by intertwining its long flexile runners with 

 the weakly products of the hedge-row, will compose a 

 guard, where without it we could with difficulty have 

 raised one. It will intrude, however, into many places 

 where it is not required, originating probably from the 

 rejectments of birds, and become a very unwelcome 

 and tenacious inhabitant. Its long tendrils are much 

 used by us as binders for thatching, being pegged down 

 io prevent the straw coverings of ricks and such things 

 being carried away by the winds, and we are satisfied 

 with its performances. By the assistance of the bramble 

 also, the new-placed turf is secured on the graves of 

 our poorer neighbors, until it unites and forms a uniform 

 sod; and during this service it will occasionally root 



