1 6 THE WOODLANDS. 



which they belong. This exercise will also furnish 

 young persons with occupation during a winter walk, 

 and one which may afterwards prove of considerable 

 service should their tastes lead them to the study of 

 the parasites of leaves. 



A curious theory was once propounded, that the 

 primary veins of a given leaf diverge from the mid-rib 

 at the same angle as the branches of the parent tree 

 diverge from the stem. That in all trees there is a 

 coincidence of angle at which the primary veins, 

 branches, and roots diverge. This was probably 

 more fanciful than true, since the incidence is not 

 often uniform in the same tree. 



We do not doubt that all persons, but especially 

 those who habitually reside in towns, enjoy an occa- 

 sional ramble through the woods ; without any specific 

 object beyond the enjoyment of its scenery, its atmo- 

 sphere, or its music, such an occasional ramble will 

 afford pleasure ; but, if we add to this inducement 

 something which shall call forth the powers of obser- 

 vation, how much more enjoyable the ramble be- 

 comes. It matters little what the particular object 

 may be which leads a person habitually to take a 

 woodland ramble, so long as it is something which 

 leads him to use his eyes, keeps his mental faculties 

 in exercise, and furnishes some material for after- 

 thought. A simple walk through a wood or a green 

 lane, as an expedient for killing time, must always 

 prove unsatisfactory, and yet the feat is accomplished 

 every day. Let those who would really and thoroughly 

 enjoy a woodland stroll undertake it with some 

 definite object, and they will find, not only that the 



