208 
EXPLORATION OF THE WOOD. 
biglit of tlie deep hay> "we captured several large 
black and yellow Lej)turas in the overblown 
peonies. We also swept with our net the rank 
grass for jumping Halticas and golden Chiysomelas. 
As we ascended the green hill-side, the grass 
appeared to grow higher and higher, till at last we 
became buried in a dense scrub of hazels and young 
oaks. We were also made painfully aware of those 
intolerable pests, the mosquitoes. Around us were 
numerous seared and blackened skeleton trees, rearino- 
their gaunt, weird, leafless forms above the verdure. 
There were others, however, of nobler proportions, 
through whose great spreading branches we could 
spy the lovely pied woodpecker exploring their 
rugged trunks, and sounding for rotten places with 
his pick-like beak. With the exception of a 
chattering magpie, and a little shy ground-squirrel 
scampering over the fallen trees, we saw no other 
sign of animal life in the still, dark wood. 
On emerging, however, from the umbrage of the 
trees, into the open spaces near the borders of the 
lake, the aspect of the scene was entirely changed. 
