46 THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



The branching of one or two trees may be noted in detail. In 

 the Oak, the terminal bud is a leaf bud with lateral ones clustered 

 round it, just as the leaves are. The branching is tufted or 

 rosette-like, the branches being apt to turn and zigzag from side 

 to side. If a Beech is growing in the open, the branching may 

 begin very low down. Sometimes the bole divides into several 

 trunks, each giving rise to a full-grown tree. When growing 

 in a dense forest, the branches may not begin below a height 

 of 60 feet. They are usually developed from " long-shoots " 

 and are often horizontal. They afford considerable shade, 

 and without the beech, it has been said, many timber trees 

 would have to be given up ; on the other hand, herbaceous 

 plants do not thrive under it, no doubt from want of sufficient 

 light. In summer, its undergrowth consists mainly of para- 

 sitic plants, such as the Bird's-nest Orchis, Toothwort, Broom- 

 rape, etc. 



Some trees and shrubs do not develop terminal buds at all, 

 as the Elm and the Lilac ; in these growth takes place from 

 lateral buds. In the Elm the branches are some considerable 

 height above the ground. It often forms hedges, on account of 

 its habit of throwing up suckers, and other plants thrive well 

 under it. 



Few objects are better suited for the purpose of cultivating 

 the power of observation more than trees. To be able to recognise 

 a tree at a distance and at any season of the year is only possible 

 to those who have a very real knowledge of its growth. The 

 branching is best seen in winter, when it lies stripped and bare. 

 The height from the ground at which the lowest branches are 

 given off, the angle they form with the main trunk, their general 

 direction, the downward or upward bend of their twigs must all 

 be known before the tree can be recognised with any certainty. 

 Then there is the bark, so characteristic a feature of the tree, 

 and the shape and colour of its winter buds, and in spring and 

 summer the endless variety of foliage all affording material 

 for the observation of a lifetime. 



THE WORK OF LEAVES. The work of leaves is very varied, 

 and some of it cannot be carried on without light. The necessity 



