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Handbook' of Nature-Stiidtj 



which forms a winter harbor for mice and other beasties. The seed-eating 

 birds which remain with us during the winter, feed upon the seeds; and as 

 the cones grow on the tips of the delicate twigs, the red squirrels display 

 their utmost powers as acrobats when gathering this, their favorite food. 



Hemlock branch showing young and nr.it lire cones. 



LESSON CCIV 

 THE HEMLOCK 



Leading thought This is one of the most common and useful and beauti- 

 ful of our evergreen trees. Its fine foliage makes it an efficient winter shel- 

 ter for birds. 



Method Ask the children the questions and request them to make notes 

 on the hemlock trees of the neighborhood. The study of the leaves and the 

 cones may be made in the schoolroom. 



Observations i. Where does the hemlock tree grow in your neighbor- 

 hood ? What is the general shape of the tree ? What sort of bark has it ? 

 How tall does it grow ? How are its branches arranged to shed the snow ? 



2. What is the color of the foliage? How are the leaves arranged on 

 the twigs ? Are all the leaves of about the same size ? What is the position 

 of the smaller leaves ? 



3. Break off a leaf and describe its shape ; its petiole. Does the leaf of 

 any other evergreen have a petiole ? What is the color and marking of the 

 hemlock leaf above: 1 Below? At what time of year are the new leaves 

 developed ? How does the hemlock tree look at this time ? Does the hem- 

 lock ever shed its leaves? 



