lo Smith : Botanical Survcv for Local Xatttralists' Societies. 



mode of weathering- ol the rock into soil ; in this work the aid of 

 g^eologfical co-workers could be profitably called in. Notes on 

 the soil should include [a) the texture and character of the soil 

 and subsoil, {b) the state of the soil-moisture, whether always 

 wet or periodically dry, and whether drained or not. Special 

 attention should be given to the relation of the soil to the 

 underlying rock, whether the soil is immediately derived from 

 it, or whether the rock has become covered up by peat, glacial 

 deposits, or recent deposits, (r) Climate: including- the tempera- 

 ture at different times of the year ; rainfall and its distribution 

 throughout the }ear, as well as dew, fog, or other atmospheric 

 moisture. Where water is present in the selected area, its 

 temperature should be noted as frequently as possible. 



(2) The Flora or record of all the species found on the area 

 is intended to show the constitution o'i the plant-association ; 

 which species are dominant, sub-dominant, and dependent, as 

 already indicated (p. IX.) ; also which plants are {a) characteristic 

 of the particular association ; [b] common, i.e., species which are 

 abundant, but not confined to this association ; (c) occasional or 

 intruders from other associations. The final Hst can only be 

 arrived at after a series of visits, and the following method of 

 keeping records is recommended. On the first visit make a 

 rough list, then enter the species observed in the record book 

 (following the order of the London Catalogue, or a standard 

 Flora). An example may simplify : 



First Pai{e. 



Three Pages. 



4th April. 



• Trees & Shrubs.! i 



; Ilex Aquifolium L.{ Sub-dominant.; Scattered. !: Old leaves. 



jOiiercus Robur L.' Dominant. ; Thinlv planted ; ! In bud. 



I loose canopy, 

 i Betula verrucosa : Sub-dominant. i Scattered ; more: In bud. 

 Ehrh. where no oak.! 



2oth May. 



First flowers. 

 First leaves 



and flower. 

 Flower. 



Herbs. 



: Ranunculus i Dependent. Many patches, 



Ficaria L.! moist places. 



ISci'.la festalis Sal. ! ,, ! Several large 



; I I patches. 



1 Pteris aquilina L. Sub-dominant. ,, 



Late flowers. — 



Young- shoots. Flower. 



— Young: leaves. 



Four pages are necessary for each set of records. On the first 

 page the names occupy the margin, while the rest of the page is 

 left for notes ; the three following pages are left for the entries 

 made on each visit. In entering- the names of plants after the 

 first visit, vacant lines should be left so that any observed later 



Naturalist, 



