122 NATURE STUDY REVIEW [9 :5— May, 1913 



considered. It will differ with the character of the work and the 

 skill of the teacher. Lack of proper regard for some of the re- 

 quirements of outdoor work with students has often foreordained 

 well-meaning efforts to failure, but such failures do not detract 

 from the education value of the work when properly planned and 

 executed. 



The writer has conducted his identificational tree study in the 

 following manner. A squad of students provided with writing 

 material is brought to the first tree to be investigated and without 

 being told its name they are asked to write down independently, 

 each for himself, what they think the tree is. After they have 

 made their guess, its correct name is given and they are led to 

 work out the distinguishing characteristics of the tree taking with 

 them for later comparison specimens of leaves, twigs or fruit ac- 

 cording to the season. Each tree on the trip is first guessed by 

 the student before it is discussed by the instructor. A correct 

 guess counts 1 for such forms as the Tulip Tree, which is the 

 only one of its genus in the region. Sugar Maple if correctly 

 guessed would score 2, since there are several Maples to be dis- 

 tinguished. The guess. Maple or Red Maple for the Sugar Maple, 

 would score 1, or one-half the value given the full correct name. 

 At the end of the trip the trees are reviewed from the specimens 

 collected and the individual scores of the students calculated and 

 reported. Naturally these scores are not counted at all as marks 

 in making up the class standing, but the scoring: game has been 

 found to add a decided zest to the exercises. The report called 

 for consists of a Hst of the trees studied with a very brief charac- 

 terization of the distinguishing features of each. At the beginning 

 of each new trip, the trees of the previous exercises are reviewed 

 from specimens. These frequent reviews are essential. Occasion- 

 al quizzes consisting in identifying actual specimens on exhibition 

 or the trees themselves are of value. In winter the distinguish- 

 ing characters have been taken from the twigs. These, from reas- 

 ons of convenience, have been studied largely in the laboratory. 



Ability to distinguish trees from a distance by habit and bark 

 characters has been much more readily acquired by students than 

 was at first thought possible. On account of weather considera- 

 tions, this work has been carried on chiefly in March and April, 

 before the opening of the buds and while the method of branching 

 in consequence is still discernible. The process has been the same 

 as in the field exercises already described, except that the student's 

 guess must be made before coming near enough to see the detailed 

 marks of distinction. A closer approach determines the correct- 



