08 RECORD OF PHENOLOGICAL PHENOMENA. 



Meteorological Society) the list of plants, birds, and insects which 

 they recommend for observation in the succeeding month, and a be- 

 ginning will be made in the next number with those which may be 

 expected to occur in Jan. and Feb. The Meteorological Society under- 

 took some years ago the guidance and collation of pheuological obser- 

 vations, without which they would yield no result, and, with the 

 assistance of the Rev. T. A. Preston and others, drew up a code of 

 Instructions,* a revised edition of which is to be issued soon. While 

 waiting for it, those observers who cannot obtain a copy of the old 

 edition may borrow one from Mr. Preston, as he kindly informs us in 

 a letter. From him also may be obtained any information upon the 

 subject, and he will gladly welcome any addition to his staff of 

 observers, especially in the more northern districts. Blank forms 

 for the record of observations may be obtained from the Secretary of 

 the Meteorological Society. 



Finally, we will recapitulate the essential conditions of a good 

 phonological botanical ob&ervation. It must embrace (1) the name of 

 the object ; (2) the date ; (3) the exact locality ; (4) the habitat ; (.5) the 

 aspect and soil ; (6) the elevation, at least in hilly districts ; (7) any 

 other circumstance, such as the stage of foliation or flowering, the 

 number of specimens, <fec., which may be necessary to place the reader 

 in the same position as the observer for estimating the value of the 

 observation. 



"False facts in science," says Pi-ofessor Jevons. in the " Principles of 

 Science," " are more mischievous than false theories." The latter can 

 be overthrown by the labours of other enquirers, the former may long 

 remain a stumbling-block in the way of truth. There is distinct need 

 of a higher code of morality among botanical observers. Those who 

 study th3 progress of physical sciencs are aware that for the most part 

 tlie standard of accuracy exacted from those who pursue that branch 

 of knowledge is very high, and that an investigator who has any re- 

 gard for his reputation will publish no statement until he has checked 

 it, and verified it to the utmost of his power. The history of English 

 Botany is sullied with some passages which, if they do not show a 

 direct intention to deceive, at least originated in the most culpable 

 carelessness. Those who have the honour of science at heart should 

 not be silent on such points, since by their utterances is formed that 

 public opinion by which even the carelessness that stops short of dis- 

 honesty is compelled to take thought and amend its habits. In the 

 race to be first to record a new species, a new locality, or an earlier 

 date, it is sometimes forgotten that the only object of pursuit worthy 

 of a man of s'Mence i^ the triitli. 



W. B. Grove, B.A. 



J. E. Bagnall. 



■ " Instructions for the Observation of Phenological Phcnomf-na," published by 

 Williams and Strahan, 7, I.awrence liaue, Cheapside, Londcm, 1875, price Cd. It is 

 Raid to be out, of print, but we recently obtained a copy from the pubhehers, bo 



that probably a few remain. 



