46 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



this planet. Not only do we imitate the trees in 

 ordering approximately four suits a year, but we 

 fully copy the tree colours and patterns when we 

 make them up. Trees also have a tremendous in- 

 fluence over all human conceptions relating to the 

 seasons. 



Trees are somewhat vain of their costumes in 

 some cases, may actually be said to pose for their 

 pictures. It is not uncommon to find in certain 

 districts of the West specimens of moss agate, bear- 

 ing on its face the perfect figure of a tree. So de- 

 tailed are some of these tree pictures that the exact 

 species may sometimes be determined. Who shall 

 say the tree did not stand for its portrait? Should 

 certain trees like the pinion become extinct, their 

 likenesses will be forever retained in the moss 

 agate. 



The life of a tree is a never-ending cycle, though 

 it is customary to think of spring as bringing a new 

 birth and a new awakening to all plant kind. The 

 trees are quiescent in winter but hardly asleep and 

 by no means dead. They are likely planning their 

 spring dressmaking; for, like fashionable women, 

 they each must appear in the latest models at the 

 desired time. Our Easter preparations for new 

 hats are nothing compared to the preparations 

 among the trees! Here every one turns milliner 



