英國學生科學讀本 Lesson 90 結實的橡樹(2)

If we take the acorn out of its cup and soak it in warm water for a few hours, it will split open,

如果我們把橡子從中取出, 放入溫水浸泡, 幾個小時之后它就會裂開。

and we shall see that it consists of two thick seed-leaves, very much like those of the bean, having a tiny plant between them.

于是, 我們就能夠看到兩片厚厚的子葉以及中間一個小小的幼苗, 這種結構與豆子非常相似。

The oak lives to a great age.

橡樹的壽命很長。

There are a few oak-trees in Britain which are believed to be more than five hundred years old.

在英國, 有些橡樹的壽命據說超過了五百年。

But if the wood of the oak is to be used as timber, the tree should be cut down when it is from sixty to one hundred years of age.

然而, 如果要用作木材, 就需要在橡樹長到六十到一百歲的時候將其伐倒。

Every year the stem of the oak-tree becomes a little thicker, for a new layer of wood grows all round it just under the bark.

每年, 橡樹的莖干都會變得更粗, 因為樹皮之下長出了新的一層木頭。

When the tree is cut down, you can see a series of rings in the wood extending from the centre of the trunk to the bark.

當我們把橡木砍倒在地的時候就能看見從樹干中心向樹皮擴散的許多年輪。

Each of these rings marks one year's growth, so that they show how old the tree is.

每一圈都代表著一年的生長, 因此我們能夠從中判斷樹木的年齡。

The wood of the oak is very hard, strong, and durable .

橡木非常堅硬、結實與耐用。

Oak was formerly much used for building ships, but most ships are now built of iron or steel.

以前, 橡樹經常用于造船, 但現在絕大部分船只都是由鋼鐵制成。

This wood is, however, still much used for furniture, and for the strong beams of roofs.

然而, 這種木材依舊廣泛應用于家具和房梁。

The bark of the oak is used in tanning, as you have learned in the Lesson on leather.

通過前面一篇有關皮革的文章, 你應該知道, 橡樹的樹皮還可以用來制革。

Would you not like to grow a little oak-tree for yourself?

你肯定非常愿意在花園里親手種上一株橡樹吧?

If so, you must take an acorn out of its cup,

如果是這樣, 你必須將橡子從它的杯狀結構中取出,

英語美文