FOR WAGGONER’S BIOLOGY 
85 
EXERCISE 84 
INTERRELATIONS OF THE LIFE IN AND ABOUT 
A DECAYING STUMP 
I. Field Study. Find a stump which is in an advanced stage 
of decay. First determine what animal life and plant life exist 
near the stump. Collect specimens for further study and identi¬ 
fication. Next remove any bark which may be on the stump. 
Examine the under side of the bark and the exposed surface of the 
wood for the presence of living organisms. Break or saw open the 
upper part of the stump. Examine the wood for the evidence of or 
presence of borers. Do you find any indications of fungous growths 
either on the surface or in the wood? Now continue breaking away 
the stump until you have reached the ground. Dig both around 
and into the base of the stump, looking for living organisms as you 
do so. In all cases note the activities of the organisms found, 
determine what is the food of each, and make a note of these facts 
on the labels of the containers which are used to hold the specimens. 
II. Laboratory Study. Identify and label all specimens taken 
into the laboratory. Read about and discuss their characteristics, 
their food habits, and their methods of reproduction. List in a 
tabulated form as follows: 
Name 
Plant or 
Animal 
Where Found 
Activities 
{If any are 
observed) 
Food 
{Example) 
White ant 
(termite) 
Animal 
In decaying wood 
Dead wood 
