OBSERVED IN' HERTFORDSHIRE IN 1886 . 
179 
these summer visitors is to he found in the spring flowers, and these 
have not been so backward on May-day for a great number of years.” 
Of the fourth group the 6 species which usually flower in the 
last fortnight of May averaged 7*2 days late, exactly the same as 
the 6 which flower in the first fortnight of this month, and the 
4 which usually flower within the first three days of June averaged 
1*5 days late. In May as in April the temperature was about the 
average, but May was a very wet month, and it is probably owing 
to this that no great change for the better is apparent until the 
beginning of June, when for the first time in the year vegetation 
is seen to be about in its normal state. 
Of the fifth group of 10 species, all of which come into flower 
in the month of June, the first 5 averaged 1*0 day late and the last 
5 averaged 3*8 days late. This latter result is owing chiefly to the 
lateness of one species, the field thistle (52), and therefore it 
probably does not fairly represent the general state of vegetation. 
The earlier part of the month of June was cold, the last week 
only being warm and nearly bringing the temperature of the whole 
month to the average. It was a very dry month. At Harpenden 
wheat was in ear on the 16th and the cereal crops were quite a 
fortnight later than in average seasons. 
Of the sixth and last group the first 5 species which usually 
flower in June averaged 1*4 days late, and the last 5 which flower in 
July averaged 8*8 days early. Every one of these came out before 
the usual time, and the hair-bell (55) was particularly early in 
flowering. The fine warm weather of the last week in June, 
which was prolonged for some time into July, doubtless induced 
this result. 
Erom July to about the middle of November the weather con¬ 
tinued warm, and excepting in October but little rain fell. The 
ivy (37), the only species remaining which has been observed for at 
least nine years, was, however, a week later than usual in coming 
into flower. 
