The height of a tree can be readily determined by the following plan. Measure the height you can easily reach from the ground in feet and inches. Step to the trunk of the tree you wish to measure and, reaching up to this height, pin a piece of white paper on the tree. Step back a distance equal to three or four times the height of the tree; hold a lead-pencil upright between the thumb and forefinger at arm's-length. Fix it so that the end of the pencil shall be in line with the paper on the trunk; move the thumb down the pencil till it is in line with the ground at the base of the tree; move the arm and pencil upward till the thumb is in line with the paper, and note where the end of the pencil comes on the tree. Again move the pencil till the thumb is in line with the new position, and so continue the process till the top of the 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._