IX.—PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS MADE AT SEVERAL STATIONS 
IN CANADA DURING THE YEAR 1895.—  CoMPILED BY 
Ay HH, MacKay, LL. D., Halifaz. 
(Read 11th May, 1896.) 
The phenological observations made under the: auspices of 
the Botanical Club of Canada during the year 1895, are more 
extensive and more complete than those made during the pre- 
vious three years. Among the observers there are some who 
have made (as will be seen in the following tables) valuable 
zoological and meteorological observations as well as the botanical 
ones. It was distinctly statea in the directions given observers, 
that sports out of season or due to narrowly local conditions of 
shelter, &e., which would affect less area than a small field, should 
not be recorded except parenthetically. As far as possible the 
observations recorded were the appearances of the first which 
was immediately followed by the many of the same kind. 
When phenomena are not very common in any specitied locality, 
it can be readily understood that the first arrival may not be 
seen for some days after. This is a sonrce of error which can- 
not well be guarded against; as is also the impossibility of an 
observer’s sometimes being able to make his complete tour of 
observation every day. Whatever defects may characterise any 
of these observations, I have reason to believe that on the whole 
they are becoming more accurate from year to year. It is to be 
regretted that there are still very many blanks at many stations ; 
but a blank is infinitely better than a wrong figure. With 
reference to thunderstorms, it will be seen that many observers 
were not mindful of noting even those which occurred during 
hours when, not being asleep, they must have noticed them. 
However, as in the other cases, we must be content with such 
facts as have been recorded, remembering that there is no pre- 
tence to say that all have been recorded. 
In connection with every schooi there should be such records 
kept and pasted into the Register for each year, or kept in a 
(195) 
