Chap. II] PERIODIC PHENOMENA IN TEMPERATE ZONES 443 



I have not considered true shrubs — no commenced flowering from March 

 until May, 25 in June, 6 in July ; in August merely the close of the flower- 

 ing time of a few July-flowering trees occurred. The connexion between 

 the opening of the flowers and the cooler temperatures appears specially 

 striking, if we consider that spring is colder in the Northern States of 

 America than in South and Central Germany, so that May in Boston is 

 scarcely comparable with April in the Central Rhenish districts. 



ii. PERIODIC PHENOMENA IN THE SOUTH TEMPERATE ZONE. 

 The literature to which I have access contains but few data regarding 

 the periodic phenomena of the south temperate zone. 



A pamphlet of Harm's on the climate of Central Chili gives the following informa- 

 tion. In June (corresponding to our December) the almond-trees flower, also 

 wild violets, hyacinths, Ranunculi, Acacia cavenia. In July and August, Datura 

 arborea, Richardia aethiopica, Heliotropium (peruvianum ?). In August there 

 blossom cherries, peaches, plums, Acacia lophanta, a species of Fumaria, and 

 a number of indigenous Amaryllidaceae and anemones. Pear-trees and apple- 

 trees blossom in the first half of September; fig-trees and Lombardy poplar are 

 fully in foliage by the end of this month. Lilac, Gladiolus byzantinus, carnations, 

 and a number of other garden-plants develop their flowers in October. By the 

 middle of November the first strawberries are ripe ; olive-trees flower in this 

 month. Wheat and barle}^ are harvested in December ; strawberries, figs, cherries, 

 melons, apricots ripen. In March and April beans, capsicums, and potatoes are 

 collected ; grapes are ripe enough to be picked between the 20th and 30th April. 



TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL IN SANTIAGO. 



Reiche 1 makes the following remarks about the vegetation of Rio Maule (about 

 35 S.) : ' The commencement of the cycle of vegetation may conveniently be 

 reckoned from the flowering of Oxalis lobata ; this happens in April, after the 

 termination of the summer drought, and reaches its climax in May. During this 

 period, under the influence of the first rains, the hitherto yellowish or reddish 

 brown steppe, which was either bare or covered with the parched remains of 

 vegetation, becomes clad with green verdure. The latter consists of seedlings 

 of Erodium cicutarium, Lupinus microcarpus, Medicago denticulata, as well as the 

 leaves of Scilla, Achyrophorus, Soliva, Briza and other grasses. During the 

 actual rainy season the campo retains its green tint, slightly interrupted by flowers ; 

 here and there appear Stenandrium dulce (rose coloured), or from August onwards, 

 Anemone decapetala (white or blue). From September onwards the picture 

 becomes more embellished every day; at first the numerous fiery red corollas 



1 Reiche, op. cit., II, p. 26. 



