XVI. 
A SIMPLE METHOD OF TAKING PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Ey Edward Mawley, F.R.Met.Soc., F.K.H.S., 
Phenological Recorder to the Royal Meteorological Society. 
Head at Watford , 1 6th March, 1891. 
The subject on which I wish to offer a few remarks has un¬ 
fortunately a very high-sounding title, considering what a very 
simple one it really is. It is known to a select few as Phenology, 
or the science of appearances. Eut as there is scarcely a dictionary 
of the English language which mentions this word at all, it is not 
surprising that we seldom come across any one who has ever heard 
of it, much less understood its meaning. Yet most people living 
away from large towns are in the habit of noticing the first 
appearance of wild flowers, birds, insects, etc., while it is truly 
remarkable how many keep a more or less complete record of their 
observations. It is, however, much to be regretted that the class 
of observations referred to are seldom of any service beyond afford¬ 
ing some amusement to the observers themselves, although much 
time and trouble are often expended upon them. Now, in the 
course of this short paper, I wish to show how easily such observers 
might render their records of considerable value, not only to them¬ 
selves, but also to all interested in similar investigations throughout 
the country. 
The object these amateur observers principally have in view 
appears to be to endeavour to trace the relative earliness or lateness 
of the seasons in the locality in which they reside ; in other 
words, the influence of the weather upon the natural objects which 
surround them. With this laudable object I, as a meteorologist 
and horticulturist, have the warmest sympathy. In order to obtain 
similar results from meteorological data, we have to take a more or 
less circuitous route, and then when all is done there is a sadly 
theoretical and unconvincing look about the conclusions we arrive 
at. Whereas, introduce only a few accurately-made phenological 
observations, and the dry bones of these statistics become at once 
clothed with life and meaning. Their records may not be nearly 
as precise as those derived from thermometers, sunshine-recorders, 
and rain-gauges ; but on the other hand they have a happy knack 
of summing up a large mass of instrumental evidence, and pre¬ 
senting the issue in a clear and intelligible light. 
In the present paper I propose to treat this subject from a 
meteorological point of view, and at the same time to confine my 
remarks entirely to plants as being the most dependable for this 
purpose. 
The Selection of Species .—In making this selection we must above 
all things consider the observers, and not require of them more 
than is absolutely necessary to attain the object we have in view. 
Eor instance, it has been found by experience that those who have 
the requisite leisure, knowledge, and enthusiasm to make a large 
