34 J, HOPKINSON — ON THE OBSERVATION 



bear fruit in the general adoption of its leading principles, and in 

 the uniform carrying out of investigations to the importance of 

 "which attention Avas then for the first time in this country sys- 

 tematically tlra-Nvn. 



For this recent attempt to re-awaken an interest in the periodical 

 phenomena of nature we are indebted to the Meteorological Society 

 of London. This Society has within the last few months issued a 

 list of plants, insects, and birds recommended to be observed, and a 

 code of Instructions to observers.* This list I propose to adopt 

 without alteration at present, leaving the question of any extension 

 or modification that may be thought desirable to meet the special 

 requirements of our district to future consideration. In the list 

 as published by the Meteorological Society there are seventy-one 

 species of plants recommended for observation of the time of 

 flowering, this being the most important point to observe and 

 record. Obsei-vations on the time of leafing, fruiting, and shedding 

 of the leaves of trees are also considered useful, provided the same 

 trees are observed every year. Of insects there are eight species of 

 which the first appearance is recommended for registration. Of 

 birds there are seventeen species recommended for notice of their 

 arrival, commencement of song, etc. ; and the last entry we have 

 is that of fi'og spawn, the first appearance of which should be 

 noted, f 



From these and other similar observations, valuable information, 

 of immediate practical application, as well as of a theoretical nature, 

 may in time be gained. Alone, such observations may furnish 

 climatological data of importance in the operations of the fanner 

 and gardener. The most favourable time for sowing seed, for 

 instance, may be determined by the flowering of some plant, or 

 even by the appearance of some insect ; for, as Quetelct has ob- 

 served, ' ' the phases of the existence of the minutest plant-aphis, 

 of the paltriest insect, are connected with the phases of the exist- 

 ence of the plant which noiuishes it, and this plant itself, in its 

 gradual development, is in some measure the product of all the 

 anterior modifications of the soil and atmosphere." The germi- 

 nation of seed, and the safety of the young shoot afterwards, are as 

 dep(;ndent upon these modifications as upon the time of the year 

 at which it is sown and the state of the weather. 



Combined with meteorological observations those we are con- 

 sidering may afi'ord valuable assistance in investigations on climate ; 



* ' Instructions for the Observation of Phenological Pheuomeua, prepared at 

 the request of the Council of the Meteoroloirical Society by a Conferonco con- 

 sisting of Delegates from the following Societies, viz.: — Eoyal Agricuiturnl 

 Society, Royal Botanic Societv, Eoyal Dublin Society, Royal Horticultural 

 Society, Mai'lborough College I^atural History Society, Meteorological Society.' 

 London : "Williams and Strahan. 1875. 



t It may here be mentioned that it is not intended that these observations 

 should be limited to the species which will be enumerated, nor that observations 

 should be limited to the points alluded to. Notes of observations in any depart- 

 ment of Natural History will be welcome, and however brief may be of value as 

 contributions to the Natural History of our county. 



