NATURE STUDY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 59, 27 July 1906, Page 5

NATURE STUDY.

On Saturday afternoon last anumber of the senior pupils of tbe Havelock School, accompanied by the Headmaster, made an excursion into the bush for the purpose of studying Nature. Each carried a well-filled hamper and also a note-book and pencil for the purpose of making notes. The route taken was the path leading up the bill past the reservoir. As an incentive to keep “ eyes open ” a reward of sixpence was offered to the pupil making the most discoveries, and all were on the quivive. The following birds were noted: Fan-tail, tomtit, silver-eye, quail, and bush-hawk. The song of the tui and the blackbird could be distinctly heard, but these two birds managed to evade perception, except when flying in the dis'ance. The trees and shrubs noted included ; Manuka, koromiko, tutu, ramarama, matipo, birch, barberry, rata vine, clematis, currant, fuchsia, lawyer, karaka, lancewood, lycop clium, rirau, and four different kinds of ferns. The attention of the pupils was directed to the peculiar habits of the lancewood (a) in youth, and (b) in old age. The uses of the koromiko as a cure for diarrhoea and dysentry were enlarged upon, and it was stated that bush men troubled with English cholera frequently cure the disease by chewing fresh leaves of the plant and swallowing the juice. Tbe poisonous qualities of the tutu were spoken of and attention directed to the parts which contain the most poison; also, to the symptoms of a poisoned'animal and the cure resorted to. The largest and most attractive of the New Zealand myrtles, the ramarama, was pointed out and the uses of its wood in making handles of axes, carpenters’ tools, and ornamental work, and also its valuable use as an ornamental plant (a use hitherto much neglected) were dwelt upon. Once again the children halted aefore a bare fuchsia tree whilst their teacher asked them to note the difference between it and its bush companions—deciduous and evergreen trees. The fact that the wood of the fuchsia was almost indestructible by the passive lapse of time or the ravages of fire, was noted. A handsome rimu with its curved branches and its weeping leaves claimed special attention, and it was remarked that this was tbe most easily-recognised and best-known of all New Zealand timber trees; that its weeping habit was unique among New Zealand pines; and that in open spaces, where its branches Were not hindered, it sometimes attained a height of 80 feet, and was a tree of extreme beauty.

Halting on the banks of a mountain stream, the children noted the effects of running water as an agent of denudation. The rough stones and rocks in the bed of the stream were mentioned as the birth-givers of the rounded pebble on the seashore, and the history of the journey was listened to with interest. Tbe formation of deltas, flood-plains, and bars at the mouths of rivers was also explained. About the middle of the afternoon a pause was made for the purpose of satisfying keen appetites. Seated on the grass while the billy boiled, the children were asked to cast their eyes —hitherto so busy spying bird or plant or insect—upwards and note the different kinds of clouds. The nimbus, the strata, aud the cumulus were numerous, but the feather cloud w r as not in evidence. This led to the question, What are clouds, and how do they get there ? What do they change into ? Thus on to evaporation and condensation.

When tbe keen appetites of the young excursionists bad been appeased, they were asked to behold the beautiful panorama that lay before them. In tbe foreground was the blue expanse of the waters of the picturesque Pelorus Bound, and rising in the background were the lovely hills. The formation of mountains was explained and the fact that they are not everlasting was recorded. Here and there could he observed places where slips had taken place, and though the mountains appeared as permanent structures it was pointed out that they were steadily being torn away. There was a continual cycle of change—- “ mountains yesterday, river silt today, mountainsi again to-morrow,” and so on through the ages. The children then had a romp through the bracken, and theiiynerry laughter made the hills rejoice. -When they returned they brought with them a number of young native shrubs to adorn tbe school gardens. The evening shadows were now beginning to steal over the hillsides, and one and all returned to their homes having spent a most enjoyable and profitable time.