400 CALENDAR, 1820. 



MARCH 8th. This was really a spring day, and was very 

 fine, though the Wind remained Northerly. I noticed the 

 Winter Hellebore in flower at Upton in Essex. Primula 

 vulgaris, and its several varieties, called Polyanthuses, are in 

 blow at Walthamstow ; and Snowdrops are numerous. 



M. Benjamin M. Forster to-day discovered a curious 

 vegetable phaenomenon in London Fields. On cutting down 

 a Poplar tree, it was discovered that its roots, instead of 

 descending into the ground, had returned upwards, and 

 grown into the stump of the tree, which was thus nourished 

 by a reabsorption of its own substance. 



loth. This was the first warm spring day : the air was 

 mild and serene, and the temperature increased, though the 

 Wind was North and East. Crocuses in full flower, and the 

 purple variety of Anemone hepat'ica, at Walthamstow. Frogs 

 and various insects come forth. Two Bats were seen flitting 

 about in the evening. 



16th. Warm, arid gentle South East Wind, and very fine 

 afternoon. 1 observed the Willows, I believe Sallx caprcu, 

 in bloom as I rode from Lanedon *Hills to Brentwood, by 

 Burstead : but this is certainly a late spring, compared with 

 last year. 



18th. Primroses and some other spring flowers begin to be 

 .vended in the streets and markets of London. Several shrubs 

 begin to bud. 



Tnssilago alba is still in full flower at Clapton. 



22d. Viola canlna in flower in a warm situation at Wal- 

 thamstow. 



23d. In a long ride through a large portion of Essex, by 

 Abridge, Brentwood, &c. I had occasion to notice the extreme 

 barkwardness of the present season. I scarely saw a wild 

 plant out, though the day was fine ; and, had it not been for 



