118 



X. — A Calendar of Natural Periodic Phen,07nena : kept at Bodmin, 

 for the year 1^^^. — .B^ Thomas Q. Couch. 



" II semble, en effet, que les phenomeues periodiqnes forment, pour les 

 etres orgauises, en dehors de la vie individuelle, una vie commune dont on 

 ne peut saisir les phases qu'en I'etudiant simultanement sur toute la terre." 

 — Quetelet. 



N.B. — Tlie Names printed in Italics indicate plants and animals 

 marked for special observation. 



fl. means flowers ; foL, foliates ; defol., defoliates. 



The time of flowering is to be noted when the flower is suffi- 

 ciently expanded to show the anthers ; of foliation, when the leaf- 

 bud is so far open as to show the upper surface of the leaves ; of 

 fructification, at the period of dehiscence of the pericarp, in de- 

 hiscent fruits ; and, in others, when they have evidently arrived 

 at matuiity ; of defoliation, when the greater part of the leaves 

 of the year have fallen off". 



EACH step in the development of the meanest insect is de- 

 pendent on the vital processes of the plant which feeds it ; 

 and the latter, in its turn, is influenced by solar and atmospheric 

 agencies. Indeed, it is impossible strictly to say how far the mutual 

 correlation extends. This interdependence, which is observable 

 throughout nature, furnishes us with an ever-changing and never- 

 ending object of study. We must not be restrained from the 

 pursuit, because the causes of the palpable oscillations of the 

 balance of natural order seem, to the isolated observer, far to 

 seek, and even impossible to find. In course of time a circle of 

 students may amass such a number of facts as to permit some 

 great generalizer to educe from eff'ects their certain causes. It is 

 for this reason that I record any marked plenty or scarcity of 

 certain animals and plants, and indeed any noticeable departure 



