The Tree Families 



added letter; if there were a third division it would have iree 

 A's. The subdivisions of A are always B, BB, etc., accoiing 

 to their number. B is divided into C, C into D, and so on dwn 

 the list. In every instance co-ordinate letters are set at the sme 

 distance from the left margin, forming a vertical line downthe 

 page. They are also grouped by their "catch words" as /ill 

 be seen. 



A includes the chief families of the evergreens. Und( A 

 are two groups, B and BB, based upon the character of the frit. 

 Under B there are two subdivisions, based upon the gen-al 

 shape of the leaf. The cone-bearing evergreens, B, show t'o 

 types of foliage, described under C and CC. The formeris 

 divided into three groups, D, DD, and DDD, on "Arrangemnt 

 of leaves." The catch word of B and BB is "Fruit"; of C ad 

 CC, "Foliage." 



D and DD each describes a family; DDD includes more, ad 

 must be subdivided. E and EE are the headings and "Leave" 

 the catch word. E contains F and FF, based on the cones ad 

 other characters. EE, CC, and BB are undivided, as each describe 

 a single family. 



The next step is to learn how to use the key. It is worthle: 

 unless it unlocks closed doors and reveals hidden things worl 

 finding. Go out with the key and approach the first evergree 

 in sight. It belongs in the group A, your common sense tel 

 you. Very well. Which B does it agree with ? Look for sigr 

 of fruit on and under the tree. Are they cones or berries 

 Cones.? Then this tree belongs in B. All right. Is its foliag 

 needle-like, etc., or scale-like C or CC ? Needle-like. No\ 

 you must study the arrangement of leaves on the twigs, an. 

 decide which one of the three D's fits. Perhaps the leaves an 

 solitary and scattered. Still closer study of them is necessary 

 If they agree with EE you know that the tree is a spruce. 



Suppose at the start your tree has borne blue berries insteac 

 of cones. You would have dropped to BB at once and found 

 your tree to be a juniper. 



Now the beauty of a key is that you so soon outgrow the 

 need of it. There are seven great families of the native ever- 

 geens. To make it as simple as possible, the rare and local 

 evergreens, like the sequoias, the bald cypress and the yews, 

 have been omitted. It should take but a single encounter with 



12 



