STUDY OF PHENOLOGICAL PHENOMENA IN AUSTRALIA. 159 



be taken, though not so easily perhaps, e.g., unfolding (flush- 

 ing) of new leaves, the ripening of the fruits. 



(c) If the flowering periods of all important plants, such 

 as timber trees, were systematically recorded by competent 

 observers, the results would have high scientific and 

 practical value. But, as a rule, the number of plants 

 selected would have to be limited, as already hinted. 



Practical Value.— In a country like ours, science is greatly 

 helped if she can point out the practical value of a sug- 

 gested course of action to everyday people. In the present 

 case I will indicate some advantages arising from a study 

 of plant phenology. 



(1) "The Australian blacks on the coast are expert 

 fishermen, and Mr. Edward Hill, who possesses much infor- 

 mation on the subject, informs me that when the beautiful 

 Waratah or Native Tulip blooms, it is a well known sign to 

 these children of Nature that the sole (a rare fish to be 

 seen in the Sydney market, but of excellent flavour) is very 

 abundant on the sand banks about Botany Bay and in the 

 vicinity of Cook's River, where they may be captured at 

 early dawn, before the ripple comes upon the water. 

 According also to the flowering season of other trees and 

 shrubs, the blacks know the season when the mullet, 

 schnapper, Port Jackson shark (Cestracion) or other fish 

 are plentiful in the bays or harbours of the coast." 1 



(2) Their value to bee-keepers is obvious. A good many 

 bee-keepers make phenotogical records for tlieir own con- 

 venience. For instance, Mr. G. H. Smith, of Recherche, 

 Tasmania, showed me his records for many years. I learnt 

 from him that Eucalyptus obliqua (Stringy bark) and E. 

 amygdalina (Peppermint) flower two years and then are 

 three years off, i.e., they flower two years out of every five. 



1 "Acclimatisation " by George Bennett, Melbourne, 1862, pp. 34-5. 



