j6— THE PSYCHOLOGY 



distance heluocii these ring-like marks represents a year's growth, hence the age 

 of a slioot can he determined by observing tliese. The little spots scattered over 

 \h^' surface of the stem are breathing pores (lenticels. ) Where are they most 

 nunuTOiis ? 



Tlie teiiniiial Inuls continue the growth o^ the stem next year. Some of the 

 axillarv buds develop and produce lateral branches. But many of the axillary 

 buds never develop imless some accident happens to the terminal buds. Break 

 off the terminal buds of healthy branches on a tsee and note the result. 



A few years ago the tussock moth larva? destroyed the entire foliage of shade 

 trees in Toronto ami elsewhere. Later in the season the trees were not only 

 covered with leaves but flowers as well. Sometinies in spring, trees leaf out 

 early and have their leaves totally destroyed by late frosts, but the reserve buds 

 are sufficient to renew the foliage and prevent the defith of the trees. 



During the winter, trees and shrubs should be observed as to outline, habit of 

 branching, nature of bark, etc. Leafless trees are especially valuable as objects 

 tor drawing lessons, and birds' nests can then be observed, which escaped 

 detection in the summer. 



The nature oi the wood itself should be studied, so that unscrupulous dealers 

 can not pass off black ash for oak, or stained pine for mahogany. 



In autumn, studv the falling of the leaves. Some trees shed their leaves sudden- 

 ly, e. g., horse-chestnut, walnut; some shed them gradually, e. g., maple, poplar; 

 some retain a few brown and withered leaves throughout the winj^er, e. g., oak, 

 beech. When do these latter leaves fall? Why? Group the trees according to 

 these different ways of shedding their leaves. 



Study the evergreens. Do they shed their leaves? One is apt to answer 

 " No;" but is immediately reminded of the bed of pine needles which carpet the 

 ground under the old pines. Cut off" a branch oi' a pine or spruce which has a 

 leafless portion. Observe the different years' growth. Examine the leaves on 

 each year's growth. Which year's growth is entirely leafless ? What portions 

 have lost part oi' the leaves ? What portions have lost no leaves ? Compare 

 different evergreens, as some shed ther leaves in a different way from others. 

 Xotice the Scotch pines and yellow pines in October. Certain groups of the 

 leaves are noticeably yellow and falling. Which ^-ear's growth is this ? In what 

 way are evergreens better adapted to withstand winter weather than maples ? 

 Which kind o'l tree will flourish better far to the north ? 



The cause oi the falling of leaves is not, as is generally supposed, due to frost, 

 though a frost mav hurry the process of falling. The leaves would die if there 

 were no frosts, as you may observe man}- do early in the season. Examine the 

 point oi' connection between the leaf and the tree at different times during the 

 vear, and try to discover the cause of falling. 



ROOTS. 



There are many interesting facts about roots, which may be made the subject 

 of nature study. They must be distinguished from underground stems, which 

 bear buds. In origin they grow from the descending axis of the plant. Ob- 

 serve sprouting seeds and distinguish the ascending axis (stem) from the 

 descending axis (root.) Examine the small rootlets for the root-hairs, which 



