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- 
ll euses,” 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, arid 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 
to 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 
