LEAF-MINERS. 141 



thoroughly than the empis drains the life juices from 

 the victim moth. 



He is a terrible fellow, this empis, quiet and in- 

 significant in aspect, with a sober brown coat, slim 

 and genteel legs, and just a modest little tuft on the 

 top of his head. But, woe is me for the gay and 

 very green insect that flies within reach of this 

 estimable individual. 



The great hornet that comes rushing by is not 

 half so dangerous, for all his sharp teeth .and his 

 terrible sting. The stag-beetle may frighten our 

 green young friend out of his senses by his truculent 

 aspect and gigantic stature. But better a thousand 

 stag-beetles than one little empis. For when once 

 the slim and genteel legs have come on the track of 

 the little moth, it is all over with him. Claw after 

 claw is hooked on him, gradually and surely the 

 clasp tightens, and when once he is hopelessly 

 captured, out comes a horrid long bill, and drains 

 him dry. Poor green little moth ! 



Still continuing our research among the oak 



leaves, we shall find many of them marked in a very 



peculiar manner. A white wavy line meanders 



about the leaf like the course of a river, and, even as 



the river, increases in width as it proceeds on its 



course. This effect is produced by the caterpillar of 



one of the leaf-mining insects, tiny creatures, which 



live between the layers of the leaf, and eat their way 



about it. 



10 



