88 GLIMPSES IXTO I'LAXT-f.IfE 



in winter ; it forms bast, or phloem, on the outer 

 side next the bark, and on the inner side next the 

 pith it creates woody tissue. 



Our Enghsh h'me tree has a layer of fibre be- 

 neath the bark which is worth examination ; it 

 is the same in character, but not so wide or strong, 

 as the bast which we import from Russia in mats 

 to protect \egetation from frosts. Squirrels are 

 very fond of this soft material ; the\' strip it 

 cleverh^ off the branches of our lime trees to form 

 a warm lining for their nests. 



It IS easily found by cutting the outer bark off 

 any small branch of lime within reach, when we 

 can peel off the inner layer of bast, or phloem, as 

 botanists call it. 



The phloem from the lace-bark tree of the West 

 Indies is like the finest possible net-work, and is 

 used for many ornamental purposes. Liber (Latin 

 for the inner rind of a tree; is another term applied 

 to this cell formation. 



The study of different forms of woody fibre will 

 be found most interesting. 



I obtained one of my best specimens of it by 

 placing a very old Swedish turnip in water for 



