32 
FOREST AND STREAM 
January, 1921 
PLANTS AS GUIDES 
A KNOWLEDGE OF THE HABITS OF CERTAIN FORMS OF 
VEGETATION IS OF GREAT VALUE TO THE WOODSMAN 
By ALBERT A. HANSEN 
YOUR FAVORITE 
GAME FISH IN 
NATURAL COLORS 
A remarkable series of game fishes 
reproduced in their natural colors 
from the work of the famous fish 
artist, A. D. Turner. 
We have been exceedingly fortu- 
nate in procuring a limited number 
of wonderfully colored reproductions 
. of what is truly the most magnificent 
collection of fish pictures ever paint- 
ed, and, while they last, we offer the 
individual subjects, delivered to any 
part of the LTnited States, at $3 each. 
Here is the chance of a lifetime to 
obtain an accurate and authoritative 
reproduction of your favorite fish. 1 
Each picture is an exact copy of the 
painting itself. The size of each 
I subject is in excess of 17x27 inches. 
They are mounted on gilt bordered 
art board, ready for framing and are 
well worth $10 each. The special 
price at which they are available has 
been made $3. This includes all de- 
livery charges. 
Do net miss this opportunity to 
obtain a wonderful colored reproduc- 
tion of best known game fishes. The 
supply is limited, so fill out the at- 
j tached blank and order at once. 
ORDER BLANK 
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK 
THE SUBJECTS REQUIRED. 
Mail this coupon, together with $3 for 
each picture. Subjects are obtainable on 
special art paper and delivered in mail- 
ing tubes at $2.50 each. 
List of subjects available 
□ SMALL-MOUTHED BASS 
□ MOUNTAIN GRAYLING 
□ YELLOW PERCH 
□ PICKEREL 
□ PERCH PIKE 
□ COLUMBIA SALMON 
□ LANDLOCKED SALMON 
□ BROOK TROUT 
□ BROWN TROUT 
□ LAKE TROUT 
□ RAINBOW TROUT 
□ SUNAPEE TROUT 
FOREST & STREAM (Art. Dept.) 
9 EAST 40th STREET, NEW YORK CITY 
Enclosed find $ to cover 
colored reproductions of game fish as 
checked above. 
Name 
Address 
MAIL ORDER TO 
FOREST & STREAM ( D A E R P ^.) 
9 EAST 40th ST. N. Y. CITY 
HERE are few persons 
gifted with that inex- 
plainable ability, 
sometimes termed the 
sixth sense, of accu- 
rately locating the 
proper directions when 
there are no familiar 
landmarks. Aids in 
locating directions are 
welcomed by lovers of 
the outdoors, and may 
frequently prove the 
life. 
To those persons whom nature has not 
endowed with a reliable sense of direc- 
tion a knowledge of the habits of plants 
may sometimes be of inestimable value. 
The Indian, we are told, was richly gifted 
with the ability to tell directions, but he 
frequently enlisted the aid of plants in 
assisting him through dense woods or over 
boundless plains. One of the plants 
whose habits prove valuable as -an index 
for the woodsman is the lichen. These 
plants thrive on the barks of trees, grow- 
ing usually in greatest abundance upon 
the north side. Although they are not in- 
fallible indicators, observation of the 
habits of these lichens will prove an aid 
in the finding of one’s direction. The 
writer recently had cause to be thankful 
for this knowledge when he was -lost in 
the virgin hardwood forest of Grand 
Island, Michigan. 
In case lichens are not present in suffi- 
cient abundance to act as a guide, com- 
mon green moss may serve similar pur- 
poses. On exposed rock moss grows more 
luxuriously on the northern exposure than 
on the southern. The same phenomenon 
is true regarding the growth of moss on 
trees, since the richest display is usually 
found on the northern side. The expla- 
nation is simple. Mosses as a class thrive 
best in moist situations. Since the south- 
ern exposure of a tree receives the di- 
rect rays of the sun , it will be dryer than 
the northern exposure, which receives 
a minimum of sun-rays. The northern 
exposure is in consequence damper, thus 
accounting for the denser growth of 
moss. The trees on the edge of the for- 
est will naturally be the best indices in 
this respect. 
The fact that the southern side of a 
tree receives maximum sunlight, sug- 
gests another aid to finding one’s direc- 
tion. The greater amount of sunlight 
produces a "heavier growth of branches 
and it is true that the longest branches 
and greatest leaf display are usually found 
on the southern side of a tree. Excep- 
tions to this rule are found when the trees 
are exposed to prevailing winds; the 
densest foliage will then be produced on 
the lee side. Furthermore, old woodsmen 
tell us that the majority of the highest 
tree- tops are inclined to the southeast. 
The strong sunlight from the soul 
likewise has its effect on flowers in e: 
posed situations. There are many specir 
of plants whose flowers turn natural 
toward the sun. A little observation c 
this point will soon acquaint one with tl 
wild flowers which turn their heads t 
ward the south in order to become e. 
posed to the maximum amount of su 
Another group of plants proving valu 
ble as indices is that known as compa 
plants. There are two kinds, one gro\ 
ing commonly in the east and frequent 
known as wild lettuce, and another whii 
reaches its greatest development on t! 
plains and prairies of the west, fro 
Michigm to North Dakota and sout 
ward. 
Both the eastern and the western coi 
pass plants owe their value as guides I 
the fact that their leaves normally poi 
nortl) and south. The theories advanc 
for this remarkable phenomenon show t; 
odd twists of minds of some of the earli [ 
botanists. Thus we read that the pola ;; 
ity was caused by the magnetic influent 
on the resinous contents of the leave! 
even though resin is a non-conducb 
Again, the theory has been advanced th 
these leaves contain enough iron to rend 
them susceptible to magnetic influenct 
although the iron content has been prov' 
by the plant chemist to be insignificar 
The most tenable theory is that t: 
leaves, which in addition to pointii 
north and south are also turned on edg 
assume this position in order to obta 
the full benefit of the morning and eve 
ing sun, and escape the hot blazing ra 
(continued on page 44 ) 
Lichens usually grow in greatest abund 
ance on thn north side of a tree. 
means of saving 
In Writing to Advertisers mention Forest arid Stream. It will identify you. 
