148 REPRESENTATIVE PLANTS 



anything found among the lower i)lants. The higher fern 

 plants, however, have numerous points of resemblance to 

 the gymnosperms or lowest seed plants. 



This branch offers a study much more familiar to most 

 students, for the types used are, as a rule, known to every- 

 one, and not obscure forms or those of small interest except 

 from the viewpoint of the trained botanist. 



B. TYPES 



Type 1. Pines ^ 



Material for study. Good pine material may be obtained 

 anywhere, either from cultivated or wild trees. It is desir- 

 able to have as large a variety as possible. White, Scotch, 

 and Austrian pines are generally grown. The pitch or long- 

 leaved pine may often be obtained during the holidays, and 

 in some regions other native species occur. The general 

 form of the trees is to be observed, the arrangement of the 

 branches (compare with cliara), and the great prominence 

 of the central axis ; the somber green of the " needle" 

 foliage should be noticed, and the brown remains of fallen 

 leaves. Examine the trunk for evidence of the sticky, 

 resinous sap. Are the leaves really evergreen ? How long 

 does the leaf remain on the tree? Examine the surface of 

 a pine branch below the leaf-bearing portion and observe 

 the covering of protecting scales. How are they arranged ? 

 Examine now the leafy portion for the same structures. 

 What position do they have with reference to the short 

 dwarfed branches which bear the leaves. Examine a dwarf 

 branch for its size and covering. How many leaves does it 

 bear ? Compare the different species at hand and observe 

 the variations, if any in number. 



Leaf details. Examine a leaf and observe its shape and 

 the degree of stiffness or rigidity. Measure for length. 



1 Narrow-leaved evergreens with needlelike leaves. 



