The girls counted on their fingers and found there had been nine trees described so that they could always tell at a glance what the tree was.
"I am going to choose the tenth tree myself," said Miss Miller.
"Yes, yes, do!" cried the girls, in chorus.
"Well, I am going to select an elm. You won't see it here," laughed the teacher, as every head turned looking for the elm tree. "I am going to tell you about it and then see which of you can be first in identifying it by my description."
"That will be heaps of fun—I think that will be better than the way we have done!" exclaimed Elena.
The others felt much the same way, but said nothing as Miss Miller began.
"Our American elm, or white elm, is a majestic tree with long pendulous branches. The trunk grows from three to five feet through, and the tree's height is from fifty to seventy feet. The main trunk grows straight naked, until it towers above its neighbours. It then divides into two primary branches which ascend gradually and subdivide into spreading boughs. These again subdivide into smaller twigs, and the twigs into leaves.
"As the limbs grow out into smaller branches they bend in the most graceful curves, and the beautiful foliage gives a dense shade. The leaves are short-stalked, oval-shape, with irregular veins. The Elm flowers in April before its leaves begin to shoot. The timber is tough, strong and not easy to manipulate in cabinet work, therefore is not in such demand for this purpose."
"I believe I can pick an elm after that lesson," said Elena thoughtfully.