Smith : Bolunical Siirvcv /or Lociil Xii/untlisfs' Soaclws. i r 



may be inserted. In a system of this kind it is only necessary 

 to write the names of species once ; on each \ isit all that is 

 required is to indicate in the proper column the condition of 

 the plant. The noting" of the phases of growth during the year 

 enhances the value oi the list, and provides accurate details as 

 to time of leaf-unfolding, flowering-, fruiting, etc. ; while it 

 enables one to distinguish the spring from the later summer 

 flora, and this, in the case of woods especially, is important.* 



(3) The Biology includes notes on the adaptations of the 

 various plants to their environment, while remarks too long to 

 include in the F"lora lists would also find a place here. The 

 biological details could not be attempted fully for every species 

 found, and we suggest that only characteristic plants be thus 

 dealt with. There is a wide scope for observations on even our 

 commonest plants, and this part of the survey should on no 

 account be neglected. The botanist who has followed recent 

 work will here have the advantag-e, but we believe that with 

 some guidance even a beginner would soon be able to record 

 tlie life of some one plant. 



Each worker may begin with one association and extend his 

 operations. This may be done either by recording associations 

 quite distinct in character [e.g., a moor, a wood, and a marsh), 

 or by comparing dift'erent areas with similar veg-etation {e.g., 

 several oak woods). At first there is no need to attempt to 

 study a whole parish or other area, but simply to work at 

 several isolated associations in the way just indicated. 



What results are to follow from the work recommended ? 



(.\) Personal. Exact observation and the reproduction of 

 what the eye perceives is the basis of science ; in this respect 

 the scheme suggested will prove a valuable training to the field 

 naturalist. The scheme aims at more than mere identification 

 of plants ; it will train in observation on the social conditions 

 and life of plants. Common plants will, in time, become familiar, 

 not only by their flowers, but by their leaves and other organs, 

 and the winter period will furnish material for observations 

 quite as interesting as the summer. Not only will an increased 

 interest be given to out-door botany, but many questions will 

 arise which will be best answered by indoor observation or 

 examination with the aid oi the microscope ; books, including 



'* j\lr. T. \V. Woodhead | Huddersfield) has recently shown me maps of 

 woods prepared bv members of the Huddersfield \at. Soc. These repre- 

 sent in a verv graphic wav the arranifement of plants in a wood, and it is 

 to be hojied that an account oi this method will be yi\en in these pag'es, so 

 that it may be incorporated into the workings plan. 



1903 J'Ti'i-'iry 3- 



