Art. XVI. A Journal of the Progress of Vegetation near Philadelphia.
Art. XVI. A Journal of the Progress of Vegetation near Philadelphia between the 20th of February and the 20th of May, 1816, with occasional Zoological Remarks. By C. S. Rafinesque.
The importance of observations on the annual progress of vegetation is obvious, and, as connected with agriculture, gardening, &c., eminently useful. Comparative observations acquire a particular degree of interest, when made by skilful observers, at the same time, but at different places. Dr. Bigelow, of Boston, issued a circular, proposing that such contemporaneous observations should be made in the spring of 1817; and I wish that his request may have been attended to, when the collection of those observations may afford valuable materials for an American Calendar of Flora. The blossoming of plants is easily watched, but their foliation and budding ought not to be neglected. Having been prevented, by various causes, from keeping an exact record of the progress of vegetation near New-York in 1817, I submit an accurate journal which I had kept the year before, at Philadelphia, in which I hope that some interesting facts may be noticed. Dr. Benjamin Barton has published a sketch of a Calendar of Flora for Philadelphia, in his Fragments on the Natural History of Pennsylvania; by comparing it with mine, many material differences may be traced, which evince a gradual change of temperature, although the spring of 1816 was remarkably cold and late. The greater quantity of species observed by me may, besides, render this journal a sort of vernal Flora of the neighbourhood of Philadelphia; and many species found by me are not to be met in the Flora Philadelphica of Dr. William Barton.
February 20. The Hyacinthus orientalis begins to show its flowers, and on the
24. In full blossom, as well as Convallaria majalis, in rooms.
25. The grass begins to look greenish in some parts.
26. Seen the first larva of insect in a pond.
27. The Motacilla sialis, or bluebird, is heard for the first time.