tree
is reached. The number of the measures multiplied by the height you can
reach will give quite accurately the height of the tree.

The width of the tree can be determined in the same manner, the pencil,
however, being held horizontally.

In giving the forms of trees, it is well to accompany the description
with a penciled outline.

The distance from the ground at which the trunk begins to branch and the
extent of the branching should be noted. The direction taken by the
branches, as well as the regularity and the irregularity of their
position, should also be observed and described.

Although most twigs are cylindrical, still there are enough exceptions
to make it necessary to examine them with reference to their form.

Under leaves, it will be well to make drawings, both of the outline and
of the veining.

Crushed leaves will give the odor, and the sap can best be noticed at
the bases of young leaves. The differences in sap and juice need the
following words for their description: _watery_, _milky_,
_mucilaginous_, _aromatic_, _spicy_, _sweet_, _gummy_, _resinous_.

Pupils should not always be expected to find out much about the flowers
of a tree, as they are frequently very evanescent, and usually difficult
to reach.

The fruit lasts a greater length of time and, usually dropping
spontaneously, gives a much better chance for investigation.

Specimens of most of the common woods may be obtained from
cabinet-makers and carpenters. In cases where these specimens are at
hand, description of the wood should be required. If the school has such
specimens as are described in Chapter VI., Part I., the wood in all its
peculiarities can be described.

EXAMPLES OF TREE DESCRIPTION.

_Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)._

_(Atterbury's Meadow.)_

_No. 1._

Tree eighty-four feet tall, thirty feet wide near base, ovate, conical,
pointed; trunk seven feet in circumference near base and ridged
lengthwise, but only four feet at the height of six feet from the
ground, where it becomes round or nearly so, then gradually tapering to
the top; branches small, very numerous, beginning six feet from the
ground, sloping upward from the trunk at an angle of nearly forty-five
degrees; twigs very slender, numerous, pendulous, two, three or even
more growing together from supernumerary buds around the old scars; bark
brownish, quite rough, thick and soft on the trunk, smoother on the
branches, greenish on the young spray.