METEOROLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1861. 209 
and to render them of greater value for comparison, tables have 
been drawn up, and distributed, on which the dates of the arrival 
and departure of migratory birds, the flowering of plants, the 
appearance of insects, and other facts of a similar character may 
be noted. Copies of this table may be had on application to the 
Secretaries. 
Apart from the interest which attaches to this information, 
it is thought that by this means, habits of observation will be 
encouraged, and a larger number of our members led to study 
Nature in some one or other of its many branches. The very 
valuable series of observations contributed by Mr. Coppin, will 
furnish admirable data for comparison with the tables which will 
in future be contained in this report. 
SramrorpHAm.—Dates of the Flowering of Plants :—Coltsfoot, 
February 26; Crocus, February 6; Celandine, March 9; Dog 
Violets, March 4; Cowslip, April 22; Cuckoo Flower, April 
22. Dates of the arrival of Birds :—Chiff-chaff, April 22; 
Swallow, April 29; Redstart, May 2; Cuckoo, May 5. Insects :— 
Honey Bee, March 9; Queen Wasp, May 6; Orangetip, May 20. 
Fly-catchers were very numerous with us last year. The Gar- 
ganey and Pochard were seen at Belsay in October. On Novem- 
ber 18th the thermometer on the grass stood at 12° Fahr.—Rev. 
John F. Bigge, Stamfordham. 
Szanam Harsour.—Spring wheat sown, March 15; Cuckoo, 
May 2, Swallow, May 38; Hawthorn, May 20; Wheat shot, 
June 15; Hay cut, June 19; Wheat cut, August 12. 
On the 8th of May we had frost and snow; and on the 27th 
July, a very heavy thunder-storm, accompanied by a fall of large 
transparent, angular hailstones.— George Hodge, Seaham Harbour. 
Wv.uamu.—If the following record of the maximum and mini- 
mum thermometer, be compared with that for 1860, (vol. V., p. 
29.) it will be seen that the mean temperature of 1861 was 3° 
higher than that of 1860, and was consequently slightly above 
the average. 
Min. Therm. Max. Therm. Mean. 
JaANUArY. veces ences PDAS coy EAU ean BIE 
TGV TATE Gachooomennseee ono | PPI Bag cies) 
Marchtessetsaste ace 354 ... 503 ... 42:8 
