Contributions to Phenology

Abstract

PHENOLOGY, the observation of the first flowering and fruiting of plants, the foliation and defoliation of trees, the arrival, nesting, and departure of birds, and such like, has attracted the attention of naturalists from time to time for nearly 150 years. Some have continued their observations for several years and have formed therefrom a “Calendar of Nature”; others have gone still further and have tried to deduce more general results. But the subject is beset with difficulties, especially when an observer endeavours to procure the aid of others, and this has proved so great at times that the work has not flourished as much as it deserved. The subject has been most carefully studied by M. Ouetelet of Brussels, and his writings have served as the basis for most of the subse quent attempts which have been made at organising a System of observation. Dr. Egon Ihne of Giessen, in connection with Dr. Hoffmann, whilst endeavouring to form a series of Charts of plant-flowering for Europe generally, has consulted all accessible works likely to contain any information on the subject. This informa tion is most generally scattered through the Transactions and Reports of Botanical and Local Societies, but still there is much to be obtained from other works, whose titles would not lead one at first to consult them for the purpose. The number and minuteness of the notices mentioned by these Professors, shows that they must have spent a long time in preparing this work, and very valuable service has been rendered to Phenology by publishing the list of sources from which information can be obtained. The total number of works noticed is 196, and naturally those I published in Germany are most numerous. It will, how ever, surprise many to find that, whilst 102 German works are noticed, Great Britain with only 21 comes next, leaving 73 for the rest of Europe. It must be evident, therefore, that, notwithstanding the great care taken in compiling this list, there must be many works not noticed which contain phenological information, and the Authors would doubtless welcome notices of any works omitted from their list.

Beiträge zur Phänologie.

By Dr. Egon Ihne Dr. Hoffmann. (Giessen: Published by the Authors, 1884.)