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30. — Report on Phenological Observations in Hertfoedshiee 



IN 1878. 



By John Hopkixson, F.L.S., F.M.S., Hon. Sec. 

 [Read 13th May, 1879.] 



It is satisfactory to be enabled to report that the number of 

 localities at ■wliicli Phenological Observations were taken in 1878 

 is considerably greater than in either of the two previous years. 

 In 1876 we had returns from Watford and Ware only, in 1877 to 

 these localities Odsey was added, and now we have also returns 

 from St. Albans, Redbourn Bury, Harpenden, and Hertford. 



The observations for Ware are contributed by Lieut. R. B. Croft, 

 F.L.8., of Fanhams Hall, and for Odsey 'by Mr. H. George 

 Fordham, F.G.S., of Odsey Grange, as before. For Watford I 

 have had valuable assistance which I have not previously had the 

 advantage of, and one result of this may be seen in the increased 

 number of species (mostly of plants) observed. At St. Albans 

 observations of insects and birds have been made by the Rev. C. 

 M. Perkins, M.A. ; and for the district between St. Albans and 

 Redbourn observations of the time of flowering of plants have 

 been received from Mrs. Arnold, of Redbourn Bury. For 

 Harpenden Mr. John J. Willis has furnished the most complete 

 diary of the flowering of plants we have as yet received from any 

 part of the county ; and for Hertford we have a few observations 

 from Mr. R. T. Andrews. 



From south-west to north-east these localities may be arranged 

 as follows: — Watford, St. Albans, Harpenden, Hertford, Ware, 

 Odsey. It may perhaps be well to give here the latitudes and 

 longitudes of these places. 



N. Lat. W. Long. N. Lat. W. Long. 



Watford 51" 39' 0° 24' Hertford 5V 47' 0° 5' 



St. Albans* 51° 46' 0° 23' AVaref 5^49' 0° 1' 



Harpenden 51° 48' 0° 21' Odsey 52° 1' 0° 7' 



A few observations of birds, recorded in the neighbourhood of 

 Huuton Biidge by Mr. J. E. Littleboy and already communicated 

 to the Society by him, are also incorporated. The locality being 

 so near Watford these observations may be considered to pertain 

 to the Watford district, to our records for which they are a material 

 addition. 



As in the last report, there are very few instances in which it has 

 been found necessary to alter the dates of observation. In each 

 case three days have been subtracted from the actual date returned. 

 This alteration occurs only in four species of. plants, which 

 evidently opened their flowers before they were actually observed, 

 and from other records it is probable that the alteration is rather 

 under than over the mark. 



* Redbourn Bury. t Fanhams Hall. 



VOL. II. — PT. VI. 17 



