22 IRambles witb IRature Students 



LEAF-SCARS 



Now that the trees are leafless, we can readily 

 observe the marks upon the branches called leaf- 

 scars, which show where leaves have been. 



Some trees, such as the sycamore, the wayfaring 

 tree, and others, have opposite leaves ; others produce 

 them alternately or at varying distances and in a 

 variety of ways ; the study of leaf position is known 

 in botany as Phyllotaxis, and it is to the individual 

 differences in bud-growth that we owe much of the 

 beauty of our woods. 



Each tree has branches varying in form, in light- 



HORSE-CHESTNUT TWIG. 



ness and density, and hence arises the exquisite 

 play of light and shade which we cannot fail to 

 admire when trees are grouped together. 



One curious fact about the horse-chestnut may 

 easily be noted at this season. Amongst the smaller 

 branching twigs some may be found which are almost 

 exact counterparts of a horse's foot and leg. As 

 shown in the illustration, there are the hoof and six 

 or eight nail marks of the shoe, the fetlock joint 

 and part of the leg. 



According to the angle at which the twig is 

 growing will depend its resemblance to a fore or hind 

 leg. There appear to be three suggested derivations 

 of the name of this tree. The word ' horse ' is a 



