MOORLAND IDYLLS. 



sets the roots, and especially the rootlets, 

 or absorbent terminals, intended to soak 

 that water up and convey it to the branches. 

 If you stand under an oak-tree during a 

 summer shower a mode of passive scientific 

 observation for which nature has afforded 

 quite ample opportunities during the last 

 few weeks you will notice at once that 

 the round mass of its foliage acts exactly 

 like a huge umbrella, and conducts all the 

 rain that falls upon its surface outward 

 and downward towards the circumference 

 of the circle. The drops that alight upon 

 the central and tallest part of the tree 

 are shed by the veined and channelled 

 leaves till they fall off the tips on to the 

 layer immediately below and outside them ; 

 this layer again conveys them to the next 

 in order, and so on, till at last a little 

 gathering stream drips from the ends of 

 the lowest and longest outward-pointing 

 boughs on to the soil beneath them. The 

 ground in the centre remains perfectly 

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