150 TREES IN UNDRESS. 



often tipped with large clusters of half-grown 

 fruiting tassels, rendering it very conspicuous 

 among the forest trees in Winter. 



If the birches are the "ladies of the woods," 

 the beeches are the grim, gray old foresters. 

 When growing somewhat apart from other trees, 

 their trunks are gnarled, and their feet and limbs 

 are twisted into every conceivable distortion, as if 

 they had for many years suffered from some kind 

 of ligneous rheumatism. The spray is short and 

 distant, describing many sharp angles, and the 

 tapering points of the twigs are painted and 

 varnished with a beautiful maroon, in contrast to 

 the light ash of the older bark. Along the sides 

 and at the tips of the shining twigs are seen long, 

 sharp-pointed, spindle-shaped buds, which in Win- 

 ter distinguish them from other trees noticed. 

 The light-brown, polished scales are regularly 

 imbricated, closely set and numerous, to protect 

 the soft, silky, embryo leaves beneath. 



With the exception of the special fruit-bearers, 

 perhaps there are no trees more attractive to those 

 who have a tooth or a tongue for early sweets 

 than the rock or sugar maples. Sometimes before 

 the last Winter month has gone out, on a pleasant 

 day, after a clear, frosty night, the farmer or his 

 boys are afoot to tap the most forward and prema- 

 ture penstocks, that grow in sheltered places and 

 sunny exposures, and quaff the sweet waters, the 



