338 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [13:8— Nov., 1917 



its banks. In observing the brook from the nature-study stand- 

 point we inevitably include all of these different kinds of observa- 

 tions and bring them together into a consistent whole. 



In all the realms of nature, there is no other subject of study 

 so varied and fascinating as is the brook. The study of it means 

 hours out of doors amidst beautiful surroundings and with a theme 

 for observation that grows evermore charming and engrossing. 

 For many years the brook has been a source of keen enjoyment to 

 the Cornell nature-study classes. The plan of work has been four 

 fold: (i) a note-book filled with observations on the geologic 

 characters of the brook, and both animal and plant life found in the 

 brook and its environment. (2) The mapping of the stream 

 indicating also the life about it. (3) The bringing together and 

 recasting the notes from the note-book and map into a consistent 

 story of this brook. Some of these stories are given in this num- 

 ber of The Review. So enthusiastic do the students become over 

 this study that some have written their stories into poems, and some 

 have illustrated their stories with photographs taken to show every 

 new and striking phase of the brook's course and surroundings. 



OUTLINE FOR NOTES ON THE GEOLOGIC ACTION OF THE BROOK 



Does the brook have its source in a spring or swamp? Is this 

 on the top of a hill, in a valley, in an open field or in the woods? 



Has it banks at its beginning or is it level with the surrounding 

 fields? Does it flow slowly or swiftly here? 



Are the banks higher where the brook flows down hill? Is its 

 course more nearly straight on a hill-side than on a level field ? 



Note where the water has cut the banks most deeply, why is 

 this ? Which holds the banks best, the roots of trees or the grass of 

 meadows or planted crops? 



Note how the bends in the brook are made ; are they caused by 

 obstacles or by the swift current digging into the bank ? 



Is the current swiftest at the middle or at the side of the stream? 

 Which is the most rocky and pebbly, the bottom below the swift 

 current or at the sides? 



Is the bed of the brook more stony on the hillside or in a level 

 area? Why? 



Place a dam across a brook where the bottom is stony and note 

 how soon the mud will cover the stones. Why is this? Can you 

 find a pool in the brook that has not a muddy bottom ? 



