28 Our Field and Forest Trees 



trees undergo, are peculiarly subjected to a calam- 

 ity of which we have not yet spoken. They may 

 be struck with lightning. Such maimed trees show 

 their injuries plainly in winter, when the leaves 

 which clothed the yet living boughs are gone. 



Poor trees ! Many dangers menace them, 

 and divers troubles come upon them. Minute 

 punctures are made by insects, hailstorms break 

 the young twigs and lacerate the bark, winds tear 

 off twigs and branches, and parch the tender 

 leaves. Frosts and sun split, scald and kill por- 

 tions of the bark, and lightning may rend the bole 

 to the very heart. In addition to all these tor- 

 mentors, men and animals inflict wounds and 

 amputate limbs. 



After a life of misfortune, a tree may be so 

 twisted by wind and so maimed by accident that 

 we can see no beauty in its distorted limbs. But 

 there are buds upon it, ready for next spring. It 

 is doing its work in the world in spite of difficul- 

 ties; and so, though it has perhaps no beauty 

 left, we can admire in it what is better than beauty 

 — its bravery. 



