of the Climate of Naples upon the Periods of Vegetation. 217 



of these remarks, although given in the second volume of my 

 Fitognosia*, may be able to throw some light on the subject 

 which has so engaged me, I thought it could be reinserted in 

 this place, and improved by dividing it into the Jive following 

 articles, which correspond with the different periods of vege- 

 tation. 



I. Germination. 



The variations to which Nature has subjected the sprouting 

 of seeds (germinatio) are generally known. Thus, for ex- 

 ample, Millet, Wheat, and the greater part of the seeds of the 

 Plantae Cerealcs germinate in two or three davs; the Lettuce, 

 the Gourds, the Cress, in from five to seven days ; the common 

 Bean, the French Bean, the Onion, in about twenty, the Par- 

 sley in about forty days; the Columbine, the Almond, the 

 Chestnut, the Paeony, the Filbert, the Cornel Tree, in from six 

 to eight months; and finally, the Roses, after the first or se- 

 cond year. 



In this article of botanical geography, we must not dis- 

 course on similar natural distinctions, but on the alterations 

 alone which can be produced in the sprouting of seeds by the 

 application of the varying causes of vegetation. 



Among these, heat, being the more powerful, forces and 

 exerts the greater and more direct influence upon germina- 

 tion ; it can consequently be established, that this appearance 

 of vegetation will be in constant relation to the different degrees 

 of the temperature of the soil which surrounds the seeds. 



[But, in the first place, I think it better to add here a few 

 general notices f on the climate of the capital and vicinity of 

 Naples. 



Being situated between the Apennines and the sea, and 

 therefore under the prevalence of the alternations of the south 

 and north winds, the city of Naples must necessarily be ex- 

 posed to those very rapid meteorological changes that render 

 the weather extremely variable and unsettled. 



In the spring, in the autumn, and in the winter, these varia- 

 tions are felt more sensibly; in so much so, that frequently 

 the thermometer during the same day tails from 10° or 12° of 

 Reaumur (54° or .09° ofFahrenheit) to 4° or 5° Reaum. (41° 

 or 4.T Fuhr.), and vice versa; and the state of the heavens al- 

 ternates between calm, clouds, rain, hail and storm. 



In general the spring is very short, and is often confounded 

 with the summer, in consequence of the high temperature 

 which is wont to take place at the end of the winter. Indeed, 

 in some months of that season, and especially in May, the 



* Vito&iotia da M. Tenon.-; vol. ii. in 8vo. 9nd Edit. Napoii is 16. 



i Partly translated from pp. 91, 92, !»:>, chap. vii. ofTenores Essay. 



