158 J. H. MAIDEN. 



number of observers. A most important matter is uni- 

 formity of observation. "The same individual trees and 

 shrubs must be observed every year, and, in the ease of 

 herbaceous plants those growing in the same spots." Com- 

 parable observations and those only, are of any value. 



The work of the first appearances of various birds, insects, 

 etc., can well engage the attention of individual naturalists 

 and naturalists' associations throughout Australia and I 

 dismiss that part of the subject. 



I think the work for this continent can only be properly 

 carried out by the Federal Meteorologist, who has Australia 

 studded with observers, and who has the machinery for 

 systematically tabulating results. His local officers in the 

 various States could be put in touch with the Government 

 Botanists in the various States in order that the plants 

 referred to may be accurately determined without which 

 the observations would be valueless. The Federal Mete- 

 orologist would obtain valuable data, and the various State 

 Botanists would obtain plants from practically all over 

 their respective States. Thus, science would receive an 

 impetus in two directions. 



Notes and Suggestions— (a) New South Wales (speaking 

 of my own State only) would require to be subdivided into 

 "regions" for the purpose of this work. The various 

 States have already been subdivided into various divisions 

 for various requirements, and the present work would result 

 in climato-botanical divisions better defined than at present, 

 and these would be of scientific value. Great Britain and 

 Ireland are so divided as I shall show presently. By having 

 as observing stations those of the various meteorological 

 workers, there will be provision for continuity of observa- 

 tions. 



(b) I have taken the flowering (first expansion of the 

 flower) only, but it is obvious that other observations could 



