318 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [16:7— Oct., 1920 



A collecting contest follows, each bringing a sample from as 

 many varieties of trees as possible within a limited time. The 

 winner is honored by a toast from each of the others, or perhaps is 

 given a stick of gum for a prize. 



We wonder about the human side of trees and think of the oak 

 as symbolical of rugged strength, the pine stands for endurance 

 and patience, the willow for mourning, the sycamore as battle 

 scarred warrior, the lombardy poplar for upright character, the 

 black locust as a wanderer, the maple for gracefulness. We 

 recall that the Bible refers to the "tree of life" thirty-eight times, 

 and likens the righteous man to the tree. We think of the voices 

 of nature and note the whispering pines, the moaning tree tops, 

 the whistling wind, the babbling brook, the sweet cadence of bird 

 note, the rustling leaves, the creaking branches, the night stillness, 

 and recall that the Bible refers to the trees as clapping their hands. 



We write nature poems with much merriment and some poetic 



skill. 



"Oh the sounds that reached my ears 

 On that morning bright and clear. 

 There were sounds of birds galore 

 Songs of dozens, yes, and more." 



"A great success was our trip that day 

 Studying trees and birds by the way 

 Over the hills and thru the ravine 

 The jolliest bunch that ever was seen." 



A member of the class reads Bryant's Forest Hymn which is 

 is appreciated as no where else out in the real forest that inspired 

 its writing. We count up our tree list and find to our credit 35 

 varieties which we have tried to note by the identifying features of 

 bark, bud, leaf, fruit. 



We return to school in time for the ten o'clock classes singing the 

 college songs on the way and feeling that here had been one 

 profitable and jolly field trip. . 



