Evening journal., 1898-07-27
NO NEED on A COnnpAss

The many different methods to de-
terminate the cardinal points while on
the mountains, in both heavy timber
and small brush, or upon the feature
less expanse Of a great marsh, are ex-
ceedlngly numerous and reliable
enough for all practical purposes dur
ing an every day life in the bush, un-
less a very long journey is to be made,
which would make It necessary to hold
on very fine point while making
long distance.
We will first take notes ON the CO.
niferous trees-pines, frs, spruce,
cedars, hemlocks, etc. The bark OF
these is always lighter in color. harder
and dryer on the south side Of the tree;
while 1t is in color much darker, IL Is
also damper and often covered with
mold and moss on the north side. The
gum that oozes out from the wounds,
knotholes, etc. is usually hard and Of
ten Of beautiful amber color on the
south side, while on the northern side
1t remains sticky longer and gets COW
cred with insects and dirt. seldom dry
ing out to more than a dirty gray
color.
On large trees that have no rough
bark, especially during the Fall and
Winter months. the nets and webs OF
insects, spiders. etc, will always be
found in the crevlces on the south side.
A preponderance Of the large branches
will also be found on the warmest or
southern side OF the trees. Also. the
needles Of all the above mentioned
trees are shorter, dryer and OF a yell
lowish green on the southern side.
while they will be found longer, more
slender and pliable, damper to tho
touch and darker green In color on the
northern side The eedars and hem
locks, as il trying to outdo the others,
always bend their slender tops of new
growth toward a southern sky.
The hardwood trees are equally as
communicative, and have all the char
acteffstics. as far as regards their
trunks, Of the conlferous trees. ex-
cept the absence Of gums; hut this Is
more than made up by the fungous
gowth OF mold and mosses that Is very
noticeable on the north eide of these
trees.
The edge Of rocks, which may bt
part of stupendous mountains, oi
merely occasional cropping out her,
and there in the woods, or, perhaps
some great bOwlder alone ~ itself,
silent witness OF the glacial period, al
alike testify TO the effect OF the llgh
and shade. The sunny side will usual
ly be bare, or at most, boase Of a thii
growth Of harsh, dry kinds OF mosees
and that will grow only when havini
the light, while the northern side VII
be found damp and moldy and ottei
covered with a luxuriant growth o
soft, damp mOsses that love the shade
while every crevice will bear alof
beautiful and gracefully waving ferns
The forest floor ON the sunny side o
hills, ridges, clumps OF trees, bushes
big rocks, etc, Is more noisy under tn
football than on the northern side o
such places, where the dead leaves ant
litter are soft and damp, holding NOR,
moisture than in places exposed TO tn
light OF the sun.
In an open country nearly void 0
timber, clumps OF small bushes durini
the Summer will furnish all the con
ditions found to exist among the leave
of the trees. being equally sensitive
light and shade as are the monarchs o
the woods. The landscape green wit
moving grasses and beautiful to tn
eye, which feasts on the countless mum
Der OF wild flowers, representing ever
form OF the fowery kingdom, also fur
nishes a reliable guide for locating tn
cardinal points, as most wild flower:
especially the long-stemmed varieties
hide their faces from the north, and
like the sunfower, turn towards
southern sky.-Forest and Stream.