The Tree Families 



added letter; if there were a third division it would have three 

 A's. The subdivisions of A are always B, BB, etc., according 

 to their number. B is divided into C, C into D, and so on down 

 the list. In every instance co-ordinate letters are set at the same 

 distance from the left margin, forming a vertical line down the 

 page. They are also grouped by their "catch words" — as will 

 be seen. 



A includes the chief families of the evergreens. Under A 

 are two groups, B and BB, based upon the character of the fruit. 

 Under B there are two subdivisions, based upon the general 

 shape of the le:;f. The cone-bearing evergreens, B, show two 

 types of foliage, described under C and CC. The former is 

 divided into three groups, D, DD, and DDD, on "Arrangement 

 of leaves." The catch word of B and BB is "Fruit"; of C and 

 CC, "Foliage." 



D and DD each describes a family; DDD includes more, and 

 must be subdivided. E and EE are the headings and "Leaves" 

 the catch word. E contains F and FF, based on the cones and 

 other characters. EE, CC, and BB are undivided, as each describes 

 a single family. 



The next step is to learn how to use the key. It is worthless 

 unless it unlocks closed doors and reveals hidden things worth 

 finding. Go out with the key and approach the first evergreen 

 in sight. It belongs in the group A, your convnon sense tells 

 you. Very well. Which B does it agree with ? Look for signs 

 of fruit on and under the tree. Are they cones or berries ? 

 Cones.? Then this tree belongs in B. All right. Is its foliage 

 needle-like, etc., or scale-like — C or CC ? Needle-like. Now 

 you must study the arrangement of leaves on the twigs, and 

 decide which one of the three D's fits. Perhaps the leaves are 

 solitary and scattered. Still closer study of them is necessary. 

 If they agree with EE you know that the tree is a spruce. 



Suppose at the start your tree has borne blue berries instead 

 of cones. You would have dropped to BB at once and found 

 your tree to be a juniper. 



Nov/ the beauty of a key is that you so soon outgrow the 

 need of it. There are seven great families of the native ever- 

 geens. To make it as simple as possible, the rare and local 

 evergreens, like the sequoias, the bald cypress and the yews, 

 have been omitted. It should take but a single encounter with 



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