1887-88.] Mr Lindsay's Report on Open- Air Vegetation. 383 



August. — During this month the heat and drought which 

 characterised the previous months were continued well into 

 the middle of the month, after which time the weatlier 

 became cooler, and showers of rain more frequent. The 

 greatest difficulty was experienced in keeping alpine and 

 herbaceous plants alive through the long-continued drought. 

 Leaves of trees were already turning yellow, and artificial 

 watering appeared to do more harm than good. It was 

 interesting to observe how well some plants were capable of 

 resisting drought. A few which seemed to enjoy it were 

 Zauschneria ccdi/ornica, Upilobium ohcordatum, Phygelius 

 capensis, Escallonias, and Ceanothus, all of which were finer 

 flowered than usual. The highest day temperature was 83°, 

 which occurred on the 28th, and the lowest was 62°, on the 

 l7th. The lowest night temperature was 37°, which occurred 

 on the 22nd, and the highest 56°, on the 6th. There were 

 twenty-one dry days. On the Eock Garden seventy-three 

 species came into flower during August, as against eighty-six 

 during last August. 



September. — This month was, on the whole, favourable, a 

 good supply of rain fell during the first week ; all danger 

 from drought was now at an end. Occasional heavy showers 

 occurred at intervals during the remainder of the month, but 

 at no time was the rainfall in excess. There were nineteen 

 dry days. The first frost this season took place on the 

 nicjht of the 27th, when the thermometer rea-istered 32°. 

 On the 8th, 13th, and 18th, 36° were registered respectively. 

 The highest day temperature was 73°, on the 1st, and the 

 lowest 54°, on the 14th. 



Deciduous trees and shrubs shed their leaves early ; Elm, 

 Lime, and Lilac were among the first to become denuded. 

 Autumn tints were less interesting than usual on most trees, 

 an exception being Pavia Jlava, the foliage of which attained 

 a rich golden hue, and continued for a considerable time 

 without a leaf falling. Many plants made a second growth, 

 and instances of abnormal flowering were pretty frequent. 

 A fairly good crop of seeds of herbaceous plants was secured 

 in excellent condition. On the Eock Garden thirty-one 

 species of plants came into flower. 



October. — -The weather was on the average cold and dry 

 The thermometer was at or below the freezing point on nine 



