208 THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



Holcus Grass and with the Bluebell. Investigations have been 

 made as to the depths at which these three plants are found in 

 the woods around Huddersfield. The Holcus roots are on the 

 surface, the Bracken rhizome below that, and the bulb of the 

 Bluebell lowest of all ; each thus drains a different layer of soil. 



The fronds of the Bracken are more erect in certain situations 

 than in others. If the leaf-stalk is cut across a yellowish-brown 

 tissue may be seen underneath the skin and scattered about inside. 

 This tissue is the one which largely supports the frond, and is 

 known as the " oak." It is more developed in the erect fronds 

 than in those that droop ; therefore, in the Bracken of a common 

 than in that of a wood. The underground stem grows horizon- 

 tally at a depth of from six to eighteen inches. Every year it 

 grows forward a few inches, so that the new roots and fronds occupy 

 a fresh position. 



All commons are not as bare as these just described : in certain 

 parts of Surrey, as in the neighbourhood of Hindhead and Hasle- 

 mere, or in Kent, there is a far greater wealth of vegetation. There 

 may be found such shrubs as the Guelder-Rose and the Holly ; 

 the Clematis and the Honeysuckle ; low lying herbs, as the yellow 

 Rock-Rose and the blue Speedwells, and in boggy patches even 

 the Sundew and the Cotton-Grass. 



PRACTICAL WORK 



In observing the vegetation of any given area, as a moor, a 

 heath, or a common, it is essential to make exact records in a 

 note-book. The most valuable notes of observation are those 

 which have some definite purpose in view. A few suggestions 

 are therefore now made in order to secure a series of observations 

 on definite lines. 



i. The colouring of any given area may be one subject of 

 observation. The colour of the plants in spring, the dominant 

 tone of colour in the area which is being observed, the harmonising 

 of the different colours with each other may be noted. With this 

 may be contrasted the autumn colouring, and also the blending 

 of the colours of the different plants with each other to produce 

 a certain tone of colour. A good example of this is seen in the 



