8o The Scottish Naturalist. 



THINGS TO BE OBSEEVED IN 1879. 



CONSIDERING the most unusual character of the winter 

 which we have just endured, it seems extremely desirable 

 that observations should be made (and recorded) of many 

 natural phenomena. Such observations are not only interesting 

 in themselves and beneficial to the observer, but have a much 

 greater value in assisting to throw light on the causes of some 

 facts in the geographical distribution of species. 



We may point out a few of the things to be observed. 



The Ornithologist will have of course been very much con- 

 cerned about the hardships that his favourites have undergone, 

 and the havoc that the scarcity of food has made in their ranks. 

 At the same time he will have been on the look-out for any 

 unusual visitors, as well as observant of any temporary changes 

 of habits or forced migrations on the part of the non-migratory 

 birds. The coming spring and summer will show what species 

 have suffered most, and it will then be interesting to observe 

 how the numbers are recruited, and what effect, if any, the severe 

 weather has had upon the arrival and departure of the spring 

 migrant, the times of nesting, &c. 



Observations of a similar character should be made on the 

 mammalia, amphibia, reptiles, and fishes. 



To the Entomologist a wide field of observation is open. 

 The effect of the long- continued cold upon the vitality of the 

 species, and the state of development in which such species are 

 — /.(?., whether the ^gg, larva, pupa, or perfect insect is best fitted 

 to resist the cold ; the abundance of individuals of those species 

 {e.g.^ Vanessae amongst the butterflies) which hibernate in the 

 perfect state ; the times of appearances, more especially of the 

 spring insects, in comparison with the dates of former years ; and 

 especially, the degree of colour-variation in different species, and 

 whether this variation, if it exists, tends to melanochroism or 

 leucochroism (more intense or more dilute coloration). 



Observations should also be made on the effect of the severe 

 winter upon terrestrial and aquatic mollusca, &c. 



Many things may be observed by the Botanist : the dates of 

 the flowering of plants and of the leafing of the deciduous trees ; 

 the effects of the cold upon indigenous and introduced plants, &c. 



If any of our readers will favour us with notes, few or many, 

 on these or similar observations, we will be happy to give them 

 place. 



