Mr R. Lindsay's Rpport on Opcn-Air Vegetation. 225 



The lowest readings of the thermometer occurred on the 

 2nd, 26°; 20th, 26°; 22nd, 25°; 23rd, 18*; and 24th, 22°. 

 The highest morning reading was 40°, wliich was repeated 

 on six mornings. The lowest day temperature was 32°, 

 which occurred on the 23rd of the month, and the highest 

 55°, on the 29th. West and south-west winds were fre- 

 quent, and there were sixteen perfectly dry days. 



The continuance of moderately cold dull weather during 

 the month has had the effect of retarding the flowering of 

 spring plants considerably. Of the forty selected plants 

 whose dates of flowering are annually recorded, only two 

 came into flower by the end of the month, viz., Tussilago 

 fragans, on tlie 7th, and Dondia Epipactis, on the 20th ; 

 while at the same date last year no less than sixteen were 

 in flower. Rhododendron atrovirens, which opened its first 

 flowers on January 10 last year, is not yet out. Hazel 

 was in flower on January 14 last year, and February 4 

 this; Snowdrop, January 19 last year, February 5 this; 

 Tussilago alba, January 18 last year, February 10 this. 



On the rock garden eight species and varieties came into 

 flower during the month, viz., single and double Primroses, 

 Cowslip, Dondia Epipactis^ Hepatica angidosa, and three 

 species of Helleborus. Last January eighteen were noted. 

 Throughout the garden the most conspicuous plants in 

 flower were the various species of Helleborus, Jasminum 

 mLdiJloribm, Erica herhacea alba, Garry a elliptica, and 

 A ndromeda floribunda. 



The following plants in pots were exhibited in full 

 flower from cold frames in the garden : — Cyclamen Coum 

 vernum, Iris reticulata Krelagei, Miiscari lingidatnm, 

 Narcissus Bidbocodium monophyllus, Saxifraga Burseriana, 

 and its variety major. 



February. — During February the thermometer was at 

 or below the freezing-point on sixteen occasions, indicating 

 collectively 67° of frost, as against 24° for the correspond- 

 ing month last year. The lowest readings were registered 

 on the 15th, 25'^ ; 18th, 24° ; 19th, 24° ; 20th, 23° ; 21st, 

 19°. The highest morning readings were on the 8th, 

 44°; r2th, 48°; 22nd, 44°; 24th, 49°; 27th, 47°. The 

 lowest day temperature was 35°, which occurred on the 

 I6th and 17th, and the highest day temperature was 57° 



