METEOROLOGY. 



REUISTRY OF PERIODICAL PHEXOMENA, 



The Smithsonian Institution, being desirous of obtaining informa- 

 tion with regard to the periodical phenomena of animal and vegetable 

 life in North America, respectfully invites all persons who may have 

 it in their power, to record their observations, and to transmit them to 

 the Institution. Tliese should refer to the first apf)earance of leaves 

 and of flowers in plants ; the dates of appearance a,nd disappearance 

 of migratory or hybernating animals, as mammals, birds, reptiles, 

 fishes, insects, &c.; the times of nesting of birds, of moulting and 

 littering of mammals, of utterance of characteristic cries among rep- 

 tiles and insects, and anything else which may be deemed note- 

 worthy. 



The Smithsonian Institution is also desirous of obtaining detailed 

 lists of all the animals and plants of any locality throughout this 

 continent. These, when practicable, should consist of the scientitic 

 names, as well as of .those in common use ; but when the former are 

 unknown, the latter may alone be given. It is in contemplation to 

 use the information thus gathered, in deducing; general laws relating 

 to the geographical distribution of species of the animal and vegeta- 

 ble kingdoms of North America. Any specimens of natural history 

 will also be acceptable. Directions for their preservation have been 

 published by the Institution, and will be sent to all who may wish 

 them. 



The points in the phenomena of plants, to which attention should 

 be directed, are: 



1. Frondescence or Lcajing. When the buds first open and exhibit 

 the green leaf. 



2. Flowering. When the anther is first exhibited: 



a. In the most favorable location ; 

 h. General flowering of the species. 



3. Fructification. When the pericarp splits spontaneously in de- 

 hiscent fruits, or the indehiscent truit is fully ripe. 



4. Fall of leaf. When the leaves have nearly all fiillen. 



The dates of these various periods should be inserted in their ap- 

 propriate columns. 



When the observations for the year are complete, they should be 

 returned to the Institution, with the locality and observer's name 

 inserted in the blank at the head of the sheet. 



