ACOLLECTIONOF 
 PROVERBS-SAYINGS 
 SRULES- CONCERN 
 •1NG THE WEATHER 
 
 ., * •: • • 
 
 "COM P! LED f* ARRANGED BV 
 
 RICHARD INWARDS 
 
 FRAS 
 
mta fork 
 HnU College af Agriculture 
 
 At (JJorttell UniuerBttH 
 
 Strata, ». fl. 
 
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Cornell University Library 
 QC 998.164 
 Weather lore; a collection of ProvertwB. s 
 
 3 1924 002 969 099 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924002969099 
 
WEATHER LC^E 
 
WEATHER LORE 
 
 A COLLECTION OF 
 
 proverbs, Savings, ano IRules 
 
 CONCERNING THE WEATHER 
 
 COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY 
 
 RICHARD INWARDS, F.R.A.S. 
 
 FELLOW OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY; AUTHOR OF "THE TEMPLE OF 
 THE ANDES " 
 
 LONDON 
 ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 The state of the weather is almost the first subject about which 
 people talk when they meet, and it is not surprising that a matter 
 of such importance to comfort, health, prosperity, and even life 
 itself, should form the usual text and starting-point for the con- 
 versation of daily life. 
 
 From the earliest times, hunters, shepherds, sailors, and tillers 
 of the earth have from sheer necessity been led to study the 
 teachings of the winds, the waves, the clouds, and a hundred other 
 objects from which the signs of coming changes in the state of the 
 air might be foretold. The weather-wise amongst these primitive 
 people would be naturally the most prosperous, and others would 
 soon acquire the coveted foresight by a closer observance of the 
 same objects from which their successful rivals guessed the proper 
 time to provide against a storm, or reckoned on the prospects of 
 the coming crops. The result has been the framing of a rough 
 set of rules, and the laying down of many " wise saws," about the 
 weather, and the freaks to which it is liable. Some of these 
 observations have settled down into the form of proverbs ; others 
 have taken the shape of rhymes; while many are yet floating 
 about, unclaimed and unregistered, but passed from mouth to 
 mouth, as mere records of facts, varying in verbal form according 
 to local idioms, but owning a common origin and purport. 
 
 Many weather proverbs contain evidence of keen observation 
 and just reasoning, but a great number are the offspring of the 
 common tendency to form conclusions from a too limited observation 
 of facts. Even those which have not been confirmed by later 
 experience will be interesting, if only to show the errors into which 
 men may be led by seeing nature with eyes half closed by prejudice 
 or superstition. It has seemed to me desirable that all this " fossil 
 wisdom " should be collected, and I have endeavoured in this book 
 
 b 
 
vi Introduction. 
 
 to present in a systematic form all the current weather lore 
 applicable to the climate of the British Isles. 
 
 This work is not intended to touch the philosophical aspect of 
 the subject, but it is hoped that its perusal may lead some people 
 to study the weather, not by mere "rule of thumb," as their 
 fathers did, but by intelligent observation, aided by all the niceties 
 of the scientific means now fortunately at the command of every one. 
 
 This collection comprises only those proverbs, sayings, or rules 
 in some way descriptive or prophetic of the weather and its 
 changes, and does not include those in which the winds, sun, and 
 clouds are only brought in for purposes of comparison and illus- 
 tration — such, for instance, as "Always provide against a rainy day,'' 
 " Every cloud has a silver lining," and others in which the weather 
 is only incidentally or poetically mentioned. Some rhymes have 
 been rejected on account of their being manifestly absurd or 
 superstitious, but the reader will see that much latitude has been 
 allowed in this respect, and, as a rule, all those which may possibly 
 be true will be found in these pages. Predictions as to the peace 
 of the realm, the life and death of kings, etc., founded on the state 
 of the weather for particular days, have of course been left out, as 
 unworthy of remembrance. 
 
 A few of the rules here presented will very possibly be found 
 to contradict each other, but the reader will judge between them, 
 and assign each its proper value. With regard to those from 
 foreign sources, I have only been able to give a few which seem 
 in some measure applicable to our climate, and it will be seen 
 that even these have lost a great deal of their point in the process 
 of translation. A great many proverbs about the weather come 
 from Scotland, very few from Ireland. 
 
 I have registered the various extracts in the order which 
 seemed most convenient for reference, generally giving pre- 
 cedence to the subjects on which they were the most numerous. 
 Respecting the sources from which they have been derived, I have, 
 of course, availed myself of the collections of general proverbs by 
 Kelly, Howell, Henderson, and Ray. The collection by the latter 
 author, which is usually considered the most complete, only 
 contains, however, eighty-seven adages, which have been tran- 
 scribed into this volume as weather proverbs proper. A much 
 greater number have appeared in the estimable Notes and 
 Queries, under the head of " Folk Lore,'' and a few have been 
 gleaned from Hone's Every-Day Book and other volumes of a 
 
Introduction. vii 
 
 similar class. The rest have, for tee most part, come under my 
 personal notice, or have been communicated by esteemed corre- 
 spondents, who are now heartily thanked. A full list of the various 
 authors to whom I am indebted will be found in the appendix. 
 
 The Bible has handed down to us many proofs of the repute 
 in which weather wisdom was held by the ancients, and it is 
 clear that some of the sacred writers were keen observers of the 
 signs of the sky. The writings of Job are rich in this respect, 
 and contain many allusions to the winds, clouds, and tempests. 
 The New Testament also records some sound weather law, and 
 in one instance Christ Himself has not thought it unworthy of 
 Him to confirm a popular adage about a cloud rising in the west 
 and foreshowing rain ; for after mentioning the saying, He has 
 added, "And so it is." The texts referring to the weather have 
 therefore been inserted where appropriate. In their proper places, 
 too, will be found quotations from learned authors, amongst 
 whom Shakespeare holds a prominent place. The admirers of 
 that poet " for all time " will not be surprised to find that he has 
 said, in his own way, nearly all that was known on the subject 
 of the " skyey influences '' in the age in which he lived. Virgil, 
 Bacon, Thompson, and other less famous men will be shown to 
 have contributed something to the common stock of information 
 on this subject. Some sound Saxon weather lore comes also from 
 the mouth of the Shepherd of Banbury, who, in the last century, 
 wrote a short list of outdoor signs of coming changes in the state 
 of the air. 
 
 The collection of Scottish weather proverbs by Sir A. Mitchell 
 has furnished me with a few of the shrewdest adages from that 
 country, and the list published by Mr. M. A. Denham for the Percy 
 Society has yielded some not met with in any other place. 
 
 In this Second Edition I have been able, by courteous permission of 
 Brigadier-General Greely, of the Washington Signal Office, to incor- 
 porate a great number of American and other proverbs, which have 
 been collected for the United States Signal Service by Major Dunwoody. 
 
 Mr. P. Dudgeon, of Cargen, has been kind enough to make 
 many important corrections to the Scottish sayings which appear 
 in this work. 
 
 I desire also to acknowledge my great obligation to the Rev. 
 C. W. Empson for many kind hints and corrections, and to thank 
 Mr. G. J. Symons for having kindly allowed me the use of his 
 priceless meteorological library. 
 
viii Introduction. 
 
 As it has been impossible to collect all the local weather pro- 
 verbs current in different parts of the country, I shall feel obliged 
 to any courteous reader who will communicate such as have been 
 omitted, so that a future edition of this work may be rendered more 
 complete in this respect. It would be strange if all the observations 
 here brought for the first time to a common focus did not cast a 
 new ray or two of light on the point to which they have all been 
 directed. Out of so many shots some must hit the mark, though 
 the reader must be warned that even in this " multitude of counsel " 
 there is not absolute safety. These predictions are after all but 
 gropings in the dark ; and although skilled observers, armed with 
 the delicate instruments contrived by modern science, may be able 
 to forecast with some success the weather for a few hours, yet with 
 respect to the coming months and seasons, or the future harvests 
 and vintages, the learned meteorologist is only on a level with the 
 peasant who watches from the hilltop the " spreadings and driftings 
 of the clouds," or hazards his rude weather guesses from the 
 behaviour of his cattle or the blossoming of the hedge flowers 
 which he daily sees. 
 
 It is, perhaps, worth mentioning, with respect to those proverbs 
 concerning the weather of particular days, that, on account of the 
 re-formation of the calendar, a great many of these sayings must be 
 held to refer to times a little later than the dates now affixed. Not- 
 withstanding this, I. have retained the dates which I find by custom 
 attached to the adages, as it is now impossible to say how long 
 before the alteration of the calendar they took their rise. Of course 
 the real discrepancy will depend on the date of origin, as, in the case 
 of any proverb having been current in the time of Julius Csesar, its 
 date would refer to the same part of the earth's orbit as at present, 
 while the " Saints' Day " proverbs which have been concocted in 
 the Middle Ages would require a correction depending upon the 
 error of the calendar which had accumulated at their date of origin. 
 This alone would account for the uncertain value of all this class of 
 predictions. The list of times for the flowering of plants must 
 also be taken with many allowances, on account of the varying soil 
 and climate of the different parts of the kingdom from which the 
 information was collected. 
 
 Should the reader ask, as he naturally may, to what practical 
 result does all this tend, and how from it he may venture to predict 
 the coming weather, I can only recommend him to try and imbibe 
 the general spirit of the rules and adages, to watch the clouds from 
 
Introduction. ix 
 
 a high place, to examine the published weather diagrams, and by 
 collating them try to find where similar results have followed 
 similar indications, and by all the instrumental means he can, go 
 on measuring and gauging heat, pressure, rain, wind, and moisture, 
 in the hope that he may some day arrive at the semblance of a 
 definite law, and the certainty that he is pursuing an interesting 
 and ever-improving study. 
 
 As for this book, it aims at no more than being a manual of 
 outdoor weather wisdom seen from its traditional and popular 
 side, without pretending to any scientific accuracy. Meteorology 
 itself, especially as regards English weather, is very far from having 
 reached the phase of an exact science. 
 
 RICHARD INWARDS. 
 
 Bartholomew Villas, 
 London, N.W. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 [For fall Index, see page 1 74] 
 
 PAGE 
 
 WEATHER IN GENERAL . . z 
 
 TIMES AND SEASONS . 3 
 
 PROVERBS RELATING TO VARIOUS MOVABLE FEASTS, ETC. 40 
 
 PROVERBS RELATING TO THE MONTHS GENERALLY . 42 
 
 DAYS OF THE WEEK . . . . .42 
 
 LIST OF COMMON PLANTS, AND THE DATES AT WHICH 
 
 THEY OUGHT TO BE IN FULL FLOWER .... 44 
 
 FLOWERS WHICH SHOULD OPEN ON CERTAIN SAINTS' 
 
 DAYS . .... ... 46 
 
 LIST OF COMMON FLOWERS, AND THE TIMES AT WHICH 
 
 THEY OPEN AND CLOSE THEIR PETALS . . . 46 
 BIRDS, AND THE TIMES AT WHICH THEY USUALLY APPEAR 
 
 IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND 46 
 
 WINTER BIRDS: TIMES OF THEIR ARRIVAL . 47 
 
 SUN, MOON, AND STARS . 47 
 
 WIND ... . . 68 
 
 CLOUDS . . 84 
 
 MISTS . . . . IOI 
 
 DEW . 102 
 
 FOG . . 103 
 
 SKY 104 
 
 AIR . IOS 
 
xii Contents. 
 
 SOUND 
 TIDE, ETC. 
 RAIN 
 RAINBOW 
 FROST . 
 
 PAGE 
 105 
 107 
 108 
 III 
 II 4 
 
 HAIL . 115 
 
 SNOW IIS 
 
 ICE . Il6 
 
 THUNDER AND LIGHTNING 117 
 
 BAROMETER . 120 
 
 THERMOMETER 1 25 
 
 HYGROMETER . 125 
 
 TELESCOPE . . .125 
 
 ANIMALS . I25 
 
 BIRDS . . -132 
 
 FISH, MOLLUSCS, ETC. . 141 
 
 REPTILES, ETC. . . • r 44 
 
 INSECTS 146 
 
 PLANTS, ETC. 150 
 
 VARIOUS I57 
 
 APPENDIX: BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WEATHER LORE 169 
 
 INDEX . 
 
 174 
 
Meatber in General. 
 
 The weather rules the field. — Spanish. 
 
 Weather. 
 
 Tis not the husbandman, but the good weather, that makes Good 
 the corn grow. — T. Fuller. weather. 
 
 In the reign of Henry VIII. a proclamation was made 
 against the almanacks which transmitted the belief in saints 
 ruling the weather. 
 
 Proclama- 
 tion 
 
 against 
 weather 
 saints. 
 
 Sunshine. 
 
 English 
 climate. 
 
 Better it is to rise betimes 
 And make hay while the sun shines, 
 Than to believe in tales and lies 
 Which idle people do devise. 
 
 Of Albion's glorious He, the wonders whilst I write, 
 The sundry varying soyles, the pleasures infinite ; 
 Where heat kills not the cold, nor cold expells the heat, 
 Ne calmes too mildly small, nor winds too roughly great ; 
 Nor night doth hinder day, nor day the night doth wrong, 
 The summer not too short, the winter not too long. 
 
 Drayton. 
 
 Husbandry depended on the periodical rains ; and forecasts Weather 
 of the weather, with a view to make adequate provision (j j- "^ 
 against a coming deficiency, formed a special duty of the 
 Brahmans. The philosopher who erred in his predictions 
 observed silence for the rest of his life. 
 
 W. W. Hunter. 
 
 There are many weathers in five days, and more in a month. Weathers. 
 
 Norway. 
 
 Those that are weather wise 
 
 Are rarely otherwise. — Cornwall. 
 
 Whether the weather be fine or wet, 
 Always water when you set. 
 
 Weather, wind, women, and fortune cliange like the moon. 
 
 French. 
 
 Weather 
 prophets. 
 
 Sowing 
 weather. 
 
 Weather 
 changes. 
 
Weather Lore. 
 
 Weather 
 changes. 
 
 Weather 
 fine. 
 
 Weather 
 signs. 
 
 Weather 
 rhyme. 
 
 Weather 
 bad. 
 
 Weather 
 
 and 
 
 health. 
 
 When an opinion once obtains that a change of the weather 
 happens at certain times, the change is expected, and as often 
 as it takes place the remembrance of it remains ; but we soon 
 forget the number of times it fails. — John Mills, F.R.S. 
 (Essay on the Weather). 
 
 If the weather is fine, put on your cloak. 
 If it is wet, do as you please. — French. 
 
 Aratus says : " Do not neglect any of these [weather] signs, 
 for it is good to compare a sign with another sign : if two 
 agree, have hope, but be assured still more by a third." 
 
 Prince. 
 
 " Well, Duncombe, how will be the weather ? " 
 
 " Sir, it looks cloudy altogether ; 
 
 And coming across our Houghton Green, 
 
 I stopped and talked with old Frank Beane 
 
 While we stood there, sir, old Jan Swain 
 
 Went by, and said he knowed 'twould rain ; 
 
 The next that came was Master Hunt, 
 
 And he declared he knew it wouldn't ; 
 
 And then I met with Farmer Blow — 
 
 He plainly said he didn't know. 
 
 So, sir, when doctors disagree, 
 
 Who's to decide it — you or me ? " 
 
 [This is a village rhyme written in the last century, and 
 well known in Bedfordshire, where all the names are 
 still found.] 
 
 Shepherd. — " Weel, do ye ken, sir, that I never saw in a' 
 my born days what I could wi' a safe conscience hae ca'd 
 bad weather ? The warst has aye some redeemin' quality 
 about it that enabled me to thole it without yaumerin [mur- 
 muring]. Though we may na be able to see, we can aye think 
 of the clear blue lift. Weather, sir, aiblins no to speak very 
 scientially in the way o' meteorological observation — but 
 rather in a poetical, that is, a religious spirit — may be defined, 
 I jalouse [suspect], 'the expression o' the fluctuations and 
 modifications of feeling in the heart o' the heevens made 
 audible and visible and tangible on their face and bosom.' 
 That's weather." — Professor Wilson. 
 
 The common feelings of every man will convince him, if 
 he will attend to them, of the superior advantages health 
 derives from a pure and temperate atmosphere; for while 
 troubled, tempestuous, foul, rough, and impetuous weather 
 prevails, while the days are cloudy and the nights damp, 
 the mind becomes tetrick [perverse], sad, peevish, angry, dull, 
 
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Times and Seasons. 
 
 and melancholy ; but while the western gales blow calmly Weather 
 over our heads, and the sun shines mildly from the skies, all and 
 nature looks alert and cheerful. health. 
 
 Thus when the changeful temper of the skies 
 
 The rare condenses, the dense rarefies, 
 
 New motions on the altered air impress't, 
 
 New images and passions fill the breast ; 
 
 Then the glad birds in tender concert join, 
 
 Then croaks the exulting rook, and sport the lusty kine. 
 
 Virgil's " Georgics," Book /., Line 490. 
 
 Weather works on all in different degrees, but most on those 
 who are disposed to melancholy. The devil himself seems 
 to take the opportunity of foul and tempestuous weather to 
 agitate our spirits and vex our souls ; for as the sea waves, 
 so are the spirits and humours in our bodies tossed with 
 tempestuous winds and storms. — Burton's " Anatomy of 
 Melancholy," Chap. III. 
 
 In one of Lucian's Dialogues there is an account of a couple Weather 
 of countrymen, — one pouring into the right ear of the god prayers. 
 a petition that not a drop of rain may fall before he has 
 completed his harvest ; while another peasant, equally impor- 
 tunate, whispers into the left ear a prayer for immediate rain, 
 in order to bring on a backward crop of cabbages. 
 
 The astronomer, in Dr. Johnson's Rasselas, goes mad on Weather 
 the subject of the weather, which he fully believes he can madness. 
 control ; and there have not been wanting in modern times 
 sages who believed themselves equally potent, and some of 
 them have gone the length of offering to predict the weather 
 for any future time on payment of a fee, whilst the moderate 
 price of sixpence was indicated as necessary for a single day's 
 prophecy. 
 
 limes ano Seasons. 
 
 Amongst the first attempts at weather guesses, those concerning the 
 seasons and their probable fitness for agriculture, the breeding of animals, 
 or the navigation of the seas would take a prominent place. The weather 
 during the winter and spring seems to have been narrowly watched, and 
 the chances of a good harvest, a fat pasture, or a loaded orchard inferred 
 from the experience of previous years, combined with a fair reliance upon 
 fortune. Some of these predictions, though not strengthened by modern 
 observation, are not to be altogether despised or thrown aside. They at 
 least show us what kind of weather our forefathers wished to take place 
 and thought most useful at the times to which they refer. The sayings of 
 French, Scotch, and English agree in many particulars— such, for instance, 
 as those referring to Candlemas Day and the early part of February 
 
Weather Lore. 
 
 generally. It seems that, according to the notions of our ancestors, t/iis 
 part of the year could not be too cold, and no statistical evidence will ever 
 ■make our farmers believe that a warm Christmas bodes well for an English 
 harvest, or that a dry year ever did harm to the country. Some of these 
 old sayings are also interesting as perhaps indicating the slowly changing 
 climate of this country, and it is not unlikely that at some distant date 
 most of the predictions will be found inapplicable . Particular saints' 
 days have also been selected as exerting special influence over the 
 weather, and here we are constantly treading on the fringes of the veil 
 of superstition, spread by ignorance over all matters about which but 
 little certain knowledge existed. There are, however, still believers in 
 St. Swithin and St. Valentine as weather prophets ; and if their favourites 
 do sometimes fail to bring the expected changes, they have at least no 
 worse guides than those furnished by the Old Moore's and Zadkiel's of 
 modern times. 
 
 It has bee?i thought advisable to admit the proverbs concerning the 
 proper seasons for sowing, etc. ; and a table of the times of the flowering 
 of certain well-known plants has been added, so that the progress of the 
 seasons may be watched by observing the punctuality of the vegetable 
 world ill heralding their approach. 
 
 Note on New Style. — In considering the weather proverbs regarding 
 certain days, it must be remembered that the New Style was first adopted 
 September 2nd, 1752, eleven days being retrenched from the calendar : 
 i.e., August 22nd, 2yd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 2jth, 28th, 2gth, 30th, 31st, and 
 September 1st, 1752, had no existence in England. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Good. A good year is always welcome. — Iceland. 
 
 Year. Do not abuse the year till it has passed. — Spain. 
 
 Old year. If the old year goes out like a lion, the new year will come 
 
 in like a lamb. 
 Harvest. The harvest depends more on the year than on the field. 
 
 Denmark. 
 D >y- A dry year never beggars the master. — French. 
 
 A dry year never starves itself. 
 Whoso hath but a mouth 
 Will ne'er in England suffer drought. 
 
 If there be neither snow nor rain, 
 Then will be dear all kinds of grain. 
 Wtt. A bad year comes in swimming. — French. 
 
 After a wet year a cold one. 
 Rainy year, 
 Fruit dear. — Haute Loire. 
 
 Wet and Wet and dry years come in triads. 
 
 dry. 
 
Times and Seasons. 
 
 Misty year, year of cornstalks. — Spanish. 
 
 Year of frosts, year of cornstacks. — Spanish. 
 
 Frost year, 
 
 Fruit year. — Eure et Loire. 
 
 Frost year, wheat year. — France. 
 
 Year of snow, 
 
 Fruit will grow. — Milan. 
 
 A snow year, a rich year. 
 
 Snow year, good year. 
 
 A year of snow, a year of plenty. — Spanish and French. 
 
 A year of wind is good for fruit. — Calvados. 
 
 Acorn year, purse year. 
 
 Fig year, worse year. — Spanish. 
 
 A good nut year, a good corn year. 
 
 Year of nuts, 
 
 Year of famine. — France (Haute Marne). 
 
 A good hay year, a bad fog year. 
 
 A year of grass good for nothing else. — Switzerland. 
 
 A pear year, 
 A dear year. 
 
 A cherry year, 
 
 A merry year. 
 
 A plum year, 
 
 A dumb year. — Kent. 
 
 In the year when plums flourish all else fails. — Devonshire. 
 
 Year of gooseberries, year of bottles [good vintage]. — France. 
 
 A haw year, 
 
 A brawyear. — Ireland and Scotland. 
 
 A haw year, 
 
 A snaw year. — Scotland. 
 
 Year of mushrooms, 
 
 Year of poverty.— France (Hautes Pyrenees). 
 
 Year of radishes, 
 
 Year of health. — Ardeche. 
 
 Year of cockchafers, year of apples.— France. 
 
 A cow year, a sad year ; 
 
 A bull year, a glad year. — Dutch. 
 
 Corn and horn go together. 
 
 Leap year was ne'er a good sheep year. — Scotland. 
 
 [Year.] 
 
 Misty. 
 
 Frosty. 
 
 Snowy. 
 
 Windy. 
 
 Acorns and 
 figs- 
 Nuts. 
 
 Hay. 
 
 Qrass. 
 
 Pears. 
 
 Cherries 
 and plums. 
 
 Plums. 
 
 Goosebcrrie 
 
 Haws. 
 
 Mushrooms. 
 
 Radishes. 
 
 Cockchafers. 
 Cows. 
 
 Corn and 
 
 cattle. 
 
 Leap. 
 
Weather Lore. 
 
 Satire on 
 
 Spring. 
 
 seasons. 
 
 Summer. 
 
 
 Autumn. 
 
 
 Winter. 
 
 [Spring.] 
 Late. 
 
 Seasons. A serene autumn denotes a windy winter ; a windy winter, 
 a rainy spring; a rainy spring, a serene summer; a serene 
 summer, a windy autumn, so that the air on a balance is 
 seldom debtor to itself. — Lord Bacon. 
 
 Slippy, drippy, nippy. 
 Showery, flowery, bowery. 
 Hoppy, croppy, poppy. 
 Wheezy, sneezy, breezy. 
 
 Attributed to Sydney Smith. 
 
 [Composed as a satirical mistranslation of the names given 
 to the months at the time of the French Revolution. — 
 G. F. Chambers.] 
 
 Extreme. Extreme seasons are said to occur from the sixth to the tenth 
 year of each decade, especially in alternate decades. 
 The first three days of any season rule the weather of that 
 season. 
 
 The general character of the weather during the last twenty 
 days of March, June, September, or December will rule the 
 following season. 
 
 Spring is both father and mother to us. — Galicia. 
 
 A late spring 
 Is a great bless-ing. 
 A late spring never deceives. 
 Better late spring and bear, than early blossom and blast. 
 
 When the cuckoo comes to the bare thorn, 
 Sell your cow and buy your corn ; 
 But when she comes to the full bit, 
 Sell your corn and buy your sheep. 
 i.e., A late spring is bad for cattle, and 
 An early spring is bad for corn. 
 
 II the spring is cold and wet, then the autumn will be hot 
 and dry. 
 
 A dry spring, rainy summer. — France. 
 
 A wet spring, a dry harvest. 
 Spring rain damps, autumn rain soaks. — Russia. 
 
 In spring a tub of rain makes a spoonful of mud. 
 In autumn a spoonful of rain makes a tub of mud. 
 
 The spring is not always green. 
 
 Bay. An unseasonably fine day in spring or winter is called a 
 
 pet day, in Scotland. The fate of pets, they say, awaits it, 
 and they look for spoilt weather on the morrow. 
 
 Seas. The spring openeth the seas for the sailors. — Pliny. 
 
 Cold. 
 
 Dry. 
 Damp. 
 
Times and Seasons. 
 
 Thunder in spring 
 Cold will bring. 
 
 First thunder in spring, — if in the south, it indicates a wet First 
 season ; if in the north, a dry season. 
 
 Early thunder, early spring. 
 
 Lightning in spring indicates a good fruit year. 
 
 As the days grow longer, 
 The storms grow stronger. 
 
 If there's spring in winter, and winter in spring, 
 The year won't be good for anything. 
 
 [Spring.'] 
 Thunder. 
 
 thunder. 
 
 Early 
 
 thunder. 
 
 Lightning. 
 
 Storms. 
 
 Spring in 
 winter. 
 
 There are a hundred days of easterly wind in the first half Spring and 
 of the year. — West of England. summer. 
 
 [Summer.] 
 Moist. 
 
 Stormy. 
 Dry. 
 
 Dry and 
 
 wet. 
 
 Generally a moist and cool summer portends a hard winter. 
 
 Bacon. 
 An English summer, two hot days and a thunderstorm. 
 
 A dry summer never made a dear peck. 
 
 A dry summer never begs its bread. — Somerset. 
 
 Whoso hath but a mouth 
 
 Will ne'er in England suffer drought. 
 
 Drought never bred dearth in England. 
 
 When the sand doth feed the clay," 
 England woe and well a day ; 
 But when the clay doth feed the sand.t 
 Then 'tis well for Angle-land. 
 
 After a famine in the stall, [Bad hay crop.] 
 Comes a famine in the hall. [Bad corn crop.] 
 
 A famine in England begins in the horse manger. 
 
 A hot and dry summer and autumn, especially if the heat Hoianddry, 
 
 and drought extend far into September, portend an open extending 
 
 beginning of winter, and cold to succeed towards the latter '" f 
 
 , , . .... r . autumn. 
 
 part of the winter and beginning of spring. — Bacon. 
 
 One swallow does not make a summer. Swallows. 
 
 Midsummer rain Rain. 
 
 Spoils hay and grain. 
 
 Midsummer rain 
 
 Spoils wine stock and grain. — Portuguese. 
 
 As in a wet summer. 
 
 t As in a dry summer. 
 
Weather Lore. 
 
 [Summer.] 
 Rainy 
 
 Fog. 
 
 Cool. 
 Indian. 
 
 Summer 
 and winter. 
 
 Days in 
 summer. 
 [Autumn.] 
 Dry. 
 
 Autumn 
 and winter. 
 
 Wet. 
 Moist. 
 
 Fog. 
 
 Thunder 
 
 Harvest 
 
 short. 
 
 hong. 
 
 Fruits. 
 
 Night. 
 
 [Winter.] 
 
 Dry. 
 
 Mild. 
 
 There can never be too much rain before midsummer. 
 
 Sweden. 
 Happy are the fields that receive summer rain. 
 If the summer be rainy, the following winter will be severe. 
 In summer a fog from the south, warm weather; from the north, 
 rain. 
 
 A summer fog is for fair weather. 
 
 A cool summer and a light weight in the bushel. 
 If we do not get our Indian summer in October or November, 
 we shall get it in the winter. — United States. 
 
 Summer comes with a bound ; winter comes yawning. 
 
 Finland. 
 As the days begin to shorten, 
 The heat begins to scorch them. 
 
 A fair and dry autumn brings in always a windy winter. 
 
 Pliny. 
 Dry vintage, good wine. — Spain. 
 
 Clear autumn, windy winter ; 
 Warm autumn, long winter. 
 A wet fall indicates a cold and early winter. 
 A moist autumn with a mild winter is followed by a cold 
 and dry spring, retarding vegetation. 
 
 Much fog in autumn, much snow in winter. 
 Thunder in the fall indicates a mild, open winter. 
 Short harvests make short addlings [earnings]. — Yorkshire. 
 A long harvest, a little corn. 
 If you would fruit have, 
 You must bring the leaf to the grave. 
 [i.e., transplant in autumn.] 
 The autumn night is changeable. — Norway. 
 
 Winter never rots in the sky. — Italian. 
 Winter never died in a ditch. 
 Winter finds out what summer lays up. 
 A green winter makes a fat churchyard. 
 
 When there is a spring in the winter, or a winter in the 
 spring, the year is never good. 
 
 Summer in winter, and summer's flood, 
 Never boded an Englishman good. 
 
 An abundant wheat crop does not follow a mild winter. 
 
 Farmer, quoted in "Notes and Queries," 
 February 27TH, 1869. 
 A warm and open winter portends a hot and dry summer. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
Times and Seasons. 
 
 A warm winter and cool summer never brought a good [Winter^ 
 harvest. — French. Mild. 
 
 Whae doffs his coat on winter's day- 
 Will gladly put it on in May. — Scotch. 
 
 When winter begins early, it ends early. Early. 
 
 An early winter, 
 
 A surly winter. 
 An early winter is surely winter. 
 
 An air' winter, 
 
 A sair winter. — Scotland. 
 If the ice will bear a goose before Christmas, it will not 
 bear a duck after. 
 Neither give credit to a clear winter nor a cloudy spring. Clear. 
 
 Long winter and late spring are both good for hay and Long. 
 gTain, but bad for corn and garden. 
 
 After a rainy winter follows a fruitful spring. Rainy. 
 
 Winter will not come till the swamps are full. Floods. 
 
 Southern United States. 
 An unusually fine day in winter is known locally as a Fine day in. 
 " Borrowed Day," to be repaid with interest later in the 
 season, known also as a " Weather Breeder," and by sailors 
 as a " Fox." — Roper. 
 
 Winter thunder, Thunder. 
 
 A summer's wonder. 
 
 Winter thunder 
 
 Bodes summer's hunger. 
 
 Winter thunder and summer flood 
 
 Never boded an Englishman good. 
 
 Winter thunder, 
 
 Poor man's death, rich man's hunger. 
 
 Winter thunder, 
 
 Rich man's good and poor man's hunger. 
 
 [i.e., it is good for fruit and bad for corn.J 
 
 A winter fog Fog. 
 
 Will freeze a dog. 
 
 Mony a frost and mony a thowe [thaw] Frost. 
 
 Soon maks mony a rotten yowe [ewe]. 
 
 Under water, dearth ; Show. 
 
 Under snow, bread. 
 Dearth under water ; 
 Bread under snow. — Italian. 
 A seven-night before midwinter day and as much after, the Midwinter. 
 sea is allayed and calm. — Pliny. 
 
IO 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 January. Froze Janiveer, 
 
 Leader of the year ; 
 Minced pies in van, 
 Calf s head in rear. — Churchill. 
 
 The blackest month in all the year 
 Is the month of Janiveer. 
 
 A favourable January brings us a good year. 
 
 The month of January is like a gentleman (as he begins, so 
 he goes on). — Spanish. 
 
 In January if the sun appear, 
 March and April pay full dear. 
 January warm, the Lord have mercy ! 
 A summerish January, a winterish spring. 
 If grain grows in January, there will be a year of great need. 
 
 If you see grass in January, 
 Lock your grain in your granary. 
 
 If the grass grow in Janiveer, 
 
 It grows the worse for it all the year. 
 
 January flowers do not swell the granary. — Spanish. 
 
 January blossoms fill no man's cellar. — Portuguese. 
 
 If birds begin to whistle in January, frosts to come. — Rutland. 
 
 When gnats swarm in January, the peasant becomes a beggar. 
 
 Dutch. 
 If January calends be summerly gay, 
 It will be winterly weather till the calends of May. 
 
 A January spring is worth naething. — Scotch. 
 
 Dry January, plenty of wine. 
 
 A wet January, a wet spring. 
 
 Is January wet ? — the barrel remains empty. 
 
 A wet January is not so good for corn, but not so bad for 
 cattle. — Spanish and Portuguese. 
 
 January wet, no wine you get. 
 Have rivers much water in January ?— then the autumn will 
 forsake them. But are they small in January ? — then brings 
 the autumn surely much wine. — South Europe. 
 
 In January much rain and little snow is bad for mountains, 
 valleys, and trees. 
 
 Much rain in January, no blessing to the fruit. 
 Thaw. Always expect a thaw in January. 
 
 Fog. Fog in January brings a wet spring. 
 
 Bright. 
 Warm. 
 
 Mild. 
 Grass. 
 
 Flowers. 
 Blossoms. 
 Birds. 
 Gnats. 
 
 Mild. 
 
 Spring. 
 
 Dry. 
 
 Wet. 
 
Times and Seasons. 1 1 
 
 If there is no snow before January, there will be the more [January.] 
 in March and April. Snow - 
 
 Janiveer freeze the pot by the fier. Cold. 
 
 As the day lengthens, 
 
 So the cold strengthens. 
 
 A kindly, good Janiveer 
 
 Freezeth the pot by the fire. — Tusser. 
 
 Jack Frost in Janiveer 
 
 Nips the nose of the nascent year. 
 
 Hoar-frost and no snow is hurtful to fields, trees, and grain. Frost. 
 When oak trees bend with snow in January, good crops Oaks. 
 may be expected. 
 
 If January could, he would be a summer month. January. 
 
 Greek Proverb, " The Cyclades," 
 J. T. Bent, 1885, p. 86. 
 
 In January wane fell your timber. — Spanish. Timber. 
 
 A January chicken is sold dearly or dies. — Spanish. Chickens. 
 
 Thunder in January signifieth the same year great winds, Thunder. 
 plentiful of corn and cattle, peradventure. — Book of Know- 
 ledge. 
 
 January and February eat more than Madrid and Toledo. January and 
 
 SPANISH. February. 
 
 Generals January and February will fight for us. 
 
 Czar Nicholas I. 
 
 January or February 
 
 Do fill or empty the granary.— French. 
 
 A cold January, a feverish February, a dusty March, a weeping Januay 
 April, and a windy May presage a good year and gay. a " J°J™ S ~ 
 
 French. 
 In January should sun appear, January, 
 
 March and April pay full dear. March, and 
 
 March in Janiveer, January and 
 
 Janiveer in March I fear. March. 
 
 Who in January sows oats January and 
 
 Gets gold and groats ; May 
 
 Who sows in May sowing. 
 Gets little that way. 
 
 January commits the fault and May bears the blame. January and 
 
 [Applied in metaphor to human affairs also.J ay - 
 
 A warm January, a cold May. 
 Morning red, foul weather and great need. Jan. 1st. 
 
 The first three days of January rule the coming three months. 1st, 2nd,yd 
 
12 Weather Lore. 
 
 Jan. 2nd. As the weather is this day, so will it be in September. 
 yd. It will be the same weather for nine weeks as it is on the 
 
 ninth day after Christmas. — Sweden. 
 
 6th. At twelfth day, the days are lengthened a cock's stride. 
 
 Italian. 
 \2th. If on January 1 2th the sun shine, it foreshows much wind. 
 
 Shepherd's Almanack, 1676. 
 14^. January 14th, St. Hilary, 
 
 The coldest day of the year. — Yorkshire. 
 
 22nd (St. If the sun shine brightly on Vincent's Day, we shall have more 
 
 Vincents w ; ne t j ian wa ter. — French. 
 
 Day). 
 
 Remember on St. Vincent's Day, 
 If that the sun his beams display, 
 Be sure to mark his transient beam, 
 Which through the casement sheds a gleam ; 
 For 'tis a token bright and clear 
 Of prosperous weather all the year. 
 St. Vincent opens the seed. — Spanish. 
 At St. Vincent all water is good as seed. — Spanish. 
 
 If the sun shine on January 22nd, there shall be much wind. 
 
 Husbandman's Practice. 
 On St. Vincent's Day the vine sap rises to the branch, but 
 retires frightened if it find frost. — French. 
 
 22nd and If St. Vincent's has sunshine, 
 
 2 5 1 "- One hopes much rye and wine ; 
 
 If St. Paul's is bright and clear, 
 
 One does hope a good year. 
 25th (St. St. Paul fair with sunshine 
 
 Paul's Day). Brings fertility to rye and wine. 
 
 Fair on St. Paul's conversion day is favourable to all fruits. 
 If St. Paul's Day be faire and cleare, 
 It doth betide a happy yeare ; 
 But if by chance it then should rain, 
 It will make deare all kinds of graine ; 
 And if y c clouds make dark y° skie, 
 Then neate and fowles this yeare shall die ; 
 If blustering winds do blow aloft, 
 Then wars shall trouble y° realm full oft. 
 If St. Paul's Day be fine, the year will be the same. — French. 
 This festival was called an Egyptian day; because (says 
 Ducange) the Egyptians discovered that there were two un- 
 lucky days in every month, and prognostications of the good 
 or bad course of the year were formed from the state of the 
 weather on these days. 
 
Times and Seasons. 13 
 
 If St. Paul's Day be fair and clear, it indicates plenty ; if Jan. z^th. 
 
 cloudy or misty, much cattle will die ; if rain and snow fall 
 
 that day, it presages a dearth ; if windy, it forebodes wars, as 
 
 old wives do dream. — Nature's Secrets (Willsford). 
 
 If the sun shine on St. Paul's Day, it betokens a good year ; if 
 
 rain or snow, indifferent; if misty, it predicts great dearth; 
 
 if thunder, great winds and death of people that year. 
 
 Shepherd's Almanack, 1676. 
 
 The last twelve days of January rule the weather for the 19th to 31st, 
 
 whole year. 
 
 Hazel in first flower, January 31st; earliest in twenty years, 31st. 
 
 January 15th.— Mr. Edward Mawley. February. 
 
 Februeer '"73 
 
 t, , , , Cola. 
 
 Both cut and shear. 
 
 Double-faced February. Two-faced. 
 
 Mad February takes his father into the sunshine and beats Mad. 
 
 him. — Spanish. 
 
 There is always one fine week in February. p ltle 
 
 All the months in the year Fair. 
 
 Curse a fair Februeer. 
 
 The 'Welshman had rather see his dam on the bier, 
 
 Than to see a fair Februeer. 
 
 When gnats dance in February, the husbandman becomes a 
 
 beggar. 
 
 February, an ye be fair, 
 
 The hoggs '11 mend, and naething pair [lessen]. 
 February, an ye be foul, 
 The hoggs '11 die in ilka pool. — Tweedside. 
 [Hoggs are sheep which have not been shorn.] 
 Isolated fine days in February are known in Surrey as 
 " weather-breeders," and are considered as certain to be 
 followed by a storm. 
 
 February singing, 
 Never stints stinging. 
 If bees get out in February, the next day will be windy and 
 rainy. — Surrey. 
 
 A February spring is not worth a pin. — Cornwall. 
 
 If in February there be no rain, Ram. 
 
 'Tis neither good for hay nor grain. 
 
 Spanish and Portuguese. 
 February rain is only good to fill ditches.— French. 
 February fill the dyke, 
 Weather either black or white. 
 February fill dyke 
 With what thou dost like.— Tusser. 
 
M 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [February.] 
 Wet. 
 
 Snow. 
 Fogs. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 February, 
 March, 
 April, 
 and May. 
 February 
 and March. 
 
 February 
 winds. 
 Feb. 2nd. 
 
 February fill dyke, be it black or be it white ; 
 But if it be white, it's better to like. 
 
 February fill ditch, 
 
 Black or white [i.e., rain or snow], don't care which ; 
 
 If it be white, 
 
 It's the better to like. 
 
 February fill dyke ; 
 March lick it out. 
 
 When it rains in February, it will be temperate all the year. 
 
 Spanish. 
 
 When it rains in February, all the year suffers. 
 
 If February give much snow, 
 
 A fine summer it doth foreshow. — French. 
 
 Fogs in February mean frosts in May. 
 
 There will be as many frosts in June as there are fogs in 
 February. 
 
 For every thunder with rain in February there will be a cold 
 spell in May. 
 
 In February if thou hearest thunder, 
 Thou wilt see a summer's wonder. 
 
 Thunder in February or March, poor sugar [maple] year. 
 
 A dusty March, a snowy February, a moist April, and a dry 
 May presage a good year. — French. 
 
 When the cat in February lies in the sun, she will creep 
 behind the stove in March. When the north wind does not 
 blow in February, it will surely come in March. 
 February makes a bridge, and March breaks it. — T. Fuller. 
 Violent north winds in February herald a fertile year. 
 
 Foul weather is no news ; 
 
 Hail, rain, and snow 
 Are now expected, and 
 
 Esteemed no woe ; 
 Nay, 'tis an omen bad, 
 
 The yeomen say. 
 If Phoebus shows his face 
 The second day. 
 
 Country Almanack for 1676. 
 On the eve of Candlemas Day 
 Winter gets stronger or passes away. — French. 
 Snow at Candlemas 
 Stops to handle us. — Rutland. 
 
Times and Seasons. 15 
 
 At Candlemas Feb. 2nd. 
 
 Cold comes to us. 
 
 Candlemas Day ! Candlemas Day ! 
 Half our fire and half our hay ! 
 [That is, we are midway through winter, and ought to have 
 half our fuel and hay in stock.] 
 
 On Candlemas Day 
 
 You must have half your straw and half your hay. 
 
 Candlemas brings great pains. — French. 
 
 At Candlemas Day 
 
 Another winter is on his way. — French. 
 
 If Candlemas Day be fine and clear, 
 Corn and fruits will then be dear. 
 
 If Marie's purifying daie, 
 Be cleare and bright with sunnie raie, 
 Then frost and cold shall be much more 
 After the feast than was before. — A. Fleming. 
 
 If Candlemas Day be fair and clear, 
 
 There'll be twa winters in the year. — Scotch. 
 
 You should on Candlemas Day 
 Throw candle and candlestick away. 
 
 As far as the sun shines in on Candlemas Day, 
 So far will the snow blow in afore old May. 
 
 The hind had as lief see his wife on the bier, 
 
 As that Candlemas Day should be pleasant and clear. 
 
 The shepherd would rather see the wolf enter his fold r>- 
 Candlemas Day than the sun. 
 
 Should the sun shine out at the Purification (or churching of 
 the Virgin Mary), there will be more ice after the festival than 
 there was before it. — From the Latin Proverb (Sir T. 
 Browne's " Vulgar Errors "). 
 
 When on the Purification the sun hath shined, 
 The greater part of winter comes behind. 
 
 As far as the sun shines in at the window on Candlemas Day, 
 so deep will the snow be ere winter is gone. 
 
 On Candlemas Day, just so far as the sun shines in, just so far 
 will the snow blow in. 
 
 If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, 
 Winter will have another flight. 
 But if Candlemas Day bring clouds and rain, 
 Winter is gone and won't come again. 
 
1 6 Weather Lore. 
 
 Feb. 2nd. February 2nd, bright and clear, 
 
 Gives a good flax year. 
 If Candlemas Day be dry and fair, 
 The half of the winter's to come and main 
 If Candlemas Day be wet and foul, 
 
 The half of the winter is gone at Yule [Christmas]. — Scotch. 
 After Candlemas Day the frost will be more keen, 
 If the sun then shines bright, than before it has been. 
 On Candlemas Day the bear, badger, or woodchuck comes out 
 to see his shadow at noon : if he does not see it, he remains 
 out ; but if he does see it, he goes back to his hole for six 
 weeks, and cold weather continues for six weeks longer. 
 
 United States. 
 If the ground-hog is sunning himselt on the 2nd, he will 
 return for four weeks to his winter quarters again. 
 The badger peeps out of his hole on Candlemas Day, and 
 when he finds snow walks abroad, but if he sees the sun 
 shining he draws back into his hole. — German. 
 
 At the day of Candlemas, 
 
 Cold in air and snow on grass ; 
 
 If the sun then entice the bear from his den, 
 
 He turns round thrice and gets back again. — French. 
 
 As long before Candlemas as the lark is heard to sing, so 
 
 long will he be silent afterwards on account of the cold. 
 
 German. 
 Gif the lavrock sings afore Candelmas, 
 She'll mourn as lang after it. — Scotch. 
 
 As lang as the bird sings before Candlemas, it will greet after 
 
 it. —Scotch. 
 
 On Candlemas Day, if the thorns hang a drop, 
 Then you are sure of a good pea crop.— Sussex. 
 [There is a similar proverb with respect to beans.] 
 
 If a storm on February 2nd, spring is near ; but if that day 
 
 be bright and clear, the spring will be late. 
 
 If it snows on February 2nd, only so much as may be seen on 
 
 a black ox, then summer will come soon. 
 
 If on February 2nd the goose find it wet, then the sheep will 
 
 have grass on March 25th. 
 
 When drops hang on the fence on February 2nd, icicles will 
 
 hang there on March 25th. 
 
 When the wind's in the east on Candlemas Day, 
 There it will stick till the 2nd of May. 
 
 When it rains at Candlemas, the cold is over. — Spanish. 
 When Candlemas Day is come and gone, 
 The snow lies on a hot stone. 
 
Times and Seasons. 1 7 
 
 Candlemas Day : Purification of the Virgin Mary. — -The snow- Feb. 2nd. 
 drop, which was appropriately called " The fair maid of 
 February," ought to blossom about thisitime. 
 
 Sow or set beans in Candlemas waddle." 
 
 St. Dorothea gives the most snow. 6th. 
 
 If the eighteen last days of February be 10th to 2%th. 
 
 Wet, and the first ten of March, you'll see 
 That the spring quarter, and the summer too 
 Will prove too wet, and danger to ensue. 
 
 These three days, according to a Highland superstition, were izth to \\th. 
 said to be borrowed from January, and it is accounted a 
 good omen if these days should be as stormy as possible. 
 
 If the sun smile on St. Eulalle's Day, \zth (St. 
 
 It is good for apples and cider, they say. Eulahe's 
 
 French. D <*y)- 
 
 To St. Valentine the spring is a neighbour. — French. \\th (St. 
 
 Valentine's 
 The crocus was dedicated to St. Valentine, and ought to Day). 
 blossom about this time. — Circle of the Seasons. 
 
 St. Valentine, 
 
 Set thy hopper t by mine. 
 
 Winter's back breaks about the middle of February. 
 
 The nights of this part of February are called in Sweden 20th to 28th. 
 
 " steel nights,'' on account of their cutting severity. 
 
 If cold at St. Peter's Day, it will last longer. 22nd (St. 
 
 The night of St. Peter shows what weather we shall have for Pe'^sDay). 
 
 the next forty days. 
 
 St. Matthias, 24th (St. 
 
 Sow both leaf and grass. Matthias' 
 
 Day). 
 If it freezes on St. Matthias' Day, it will freeze for a month 
 
 together. 
 
 St. Matthias breaks the ice ; if he finds none, he will make it. 
 
 St. Matthy 
 
 All the year goes by. 
 
 At St. Mattho 
 
 Take thy hopper f and sow. 
 
 St. Matthie 
 
 Sends sap into the tree. 
 The fair of Auld Deer [third Thursday in February] 
 Is the warst day in a' the year.— Aberdeen. 
 
 Wane of the moon. t Seed basket. 
 
1 8 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Feb. 28th. 
 
 March. 
 
 Dry. 
 
 Mild. 
 Flies. 
 
 Gnats. 
 Sun. 
 
 Romanus bright and clear 
 Indicates a goodly year. 
 
 March, many weathers. 
 
 March many weathers rained and blovved, 
 But March grass never did good. — T. Fuller. 
 
 March yeans the lammie 
 
 And buds the thorn, 
 And blows through the flint 
 
 Of an ox's horn. — Northumberland. 
 
 In beginning or in end 
 March its gifts will send. 
 
 March was so angry with an old woman (according to a saying 
 in the island of Kythnos) for thinking he was a summer month, 
 that he borrowed a day from his brother February, and froze 
 her and her flocks to death. — T. Bent (Greece). 
 
 Dust in March brings grass and foliage.! 
 
 A dry and cold March never begs its bread. 
 
 A peck of March dust and a shower in May 
 Make the corn green and the fields gay. 
 
 March dust and March win' 
 
 Bleach as well as simmer's sin. — Scotland. 
 
 A peck of March dust is worth a king's ransom. 
 
 A bushel of March dust on the leaves is worth a 
 ransom. — T. Fuller. 
 
 king's 
 
 A load of March dust is worth a ducat. — German. 
 
 A bushel of March dust is a thing 
 Worth the ransom of a king. 
 
 A March without water 
 
 Dowers the hind's daughter. — French. 
 
 March flowers 
 
 Make no summer bowers. 
 
 When flies swarm in March, sheep come to their death. 
 
 Dutch. 
 
 When gnats dance in March, it brings death to sheep. — Dutch. 
 
 The March sun raises, but dissolves not. — G. Herbert. 
 
 March sun 
 
 Lets snow stand on a stone. 
 
 The March sun wounds. — Spanish. 
 
 March sun strikes like a hammer. — Spanish. 
 
Times and Seasons. 
 
 19 
 
 Worse than the sun in March, 
 This praise doth nourish agues. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Henry IV." 
 A March sun sticks like a lock of wool. 
 A wet March makes a sad harvest. 
 March rain spoils more than clothes. 
 March wet and windy 
 Makes the barn full and finnie.— Scotch. 
 [" Finnie " is used obliquely. The word means, in Scotland, 
 the "feel" of the grain as indicating quality. This 
 proverb is more generally applied to May : see p. 26. — 
 P. Dudgeon.] 
 
 March damp and warm 
 Will do farmer much harm. 
 March water is worse than a stain in cloth. 
 A March wisher [or vvhisher] 
 Is never a good fisher. 
 March wind 
 Wakes the ether [adder] and blooms the whin. — Scotland. 
 
 March mist, 
 
 Water in fist. — Spanish. 
 
 So many mists in March you see, 
 So many frosts in May will be. 
 
 As many mistises in March, 
 
 So many frostises in May. — Wiltshire. 
 
 So many frosts in March, so many in May. 
 A damp, rotten March gives pain to farmers. 
 As much dew in March, so much fog rises in August. 
 Snow in March is bad for fruit and grape vine. 
 
 In March much snow, 
 
 To plants and trees much woe.— Germany. 
 
 Fog in March, thunder in July. 
 
 As much fog in March, so much rain in summer. 
 Thunder in March betokens a fruitful year. — German. 
 When it thunders in March, it brings sorrow. 
 When March thunders, tools and arms get rusty. 
 
 Portuguese. 
 When it thunders in March, we may cry " Alas ! " — French. 
 
 March, black ram,* 
 
 Comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. 
 
 [March.] 
 Sun. 
 
 Rain 
 
 Wet and 
 warm. 
 
 Fishing. 
 
 Wind. 
 
 Mist. 
 
 Frosts. 
 Damp. 
 Dew. 
 Snow. 
 
 Fog. 
 Thunder. 
 
 Stormy. 
 
 * An obscure expression [Aries?], sometimes "balkham," "back ham, "or "hack ham.' 
 
20 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [March.] 
 Stormy. 
 
 Cuckoo. 
 
 Pruning. 
 
 Humours. 
 
 March and 
 April. 
 
 March, April 
 and May. 
 March and 
 May. 
 
 March, April 
 and June. 
 
 March, April 
 and May. 
 
 March and 
 June. 
 
 March and 
 
 other 
 
 months. 
 
 March 1st 
 (St. David's 
 Day). 
 
 1st and 2nd. 
 
 March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion. 
 [Reverse of the usual proverb.] 
 
 March comes in with adders' heads and goes out with 
 peacocks' tails. — Scotch. 
 
 The cuckoo comes in mid March, and cucks in mid April ; 
 And goes away at Lammas-tide, when the corn begins to fill. 
 
 He who freely lops in March will get his lap full of fruit. 
 
 Portuguese. 
 
 As Mars hasteneth all the humours feel it. 
 
 When March has April weather, April will have March 
 weather. — French. 
 
 March flings [kicks], April fleyes [warms]. — Scotch. 
 
 A windy March and a rainy April make a beautiful May. 
 
 March wind and May sun 
 
 Make clothes white and maids dun. 
 
 Mists in March bring rain, 
 Or in May frosts again. 
 
 March rainy, April windy, and then June will come beautiful 
 with flowers. — Spanish. 
 
 March search, April try ; 
 
 May will prove if you live or die. 
 
 March winds and April showers 
 Bring forth May flowers. 
 
 A dusty March, a snowy February, a moist April, and a dry 
 May presage a good year. — French. 
 
 A dry March, wet April, and cool May 
 Fill barn, cellar, and bring much hay. 
 
 As it rains in March, so it rains in June. 
 
 A frosty winter and a dusty March, and a rain about Averil, 
 Another about the Lammas time, when the corn begins to fill, 
 Is weel worth a pleuch [plough] o' gowd, and a' her pins 
 theretill. G. Buchanan. 
 
 Upon St. David's Day 
 
 Put oats and barley in the clay. 
 
 St. David and Chad, 
 Sow pease good or bad. 
 
Times and Seasons. 21 
 
 First comes David, then comes Chad, March 1st, 
 
 And then comes Winneral as though he was mad. 2nd,andyd. 
 
 White or black, 
 
 Or old house thack. 
 [Xole. — Meaning snow, rain, or wind — the latter endangering 
 the thack or thatch. J 
 
 If it does not freeze on the loth, a fertile year may be loth. 
 expected. 
 
 Mists or hoar frosts on this day betoken a plentiful year, 
 but not without some diseases. 
 
 On March 15th come sun and swallow. — Spanish. 1 5 t/l - 
 
 St. Patrick's Day, the warm side of a stone turns up, and the Patrick's 
 broad-back goose begins to lay. Day). 
 
 Is't on St. Joseph's Day clear, x ? th (f ■ 
 
 o c it r ,.-i Joseph's 
 
 SO follows a fertile year. Day). 
 
 St. Benedict, 21s/ (St. 
 
 Sow thy pease or keep them in thy rick. Benedict's 
 
 When there has been no particular storm about the time of 
 the spring equinox, if a storm arise from the east on or before 
 that day, or if a storm from any point of the compass arise 
 near a week after the equinox, then, in either of these cases, 
 the succeeding summer is generally dry, four times in five ; 
 but if a storm arise from the S. W. or W.S.W. on or just before 
 the spring equinox, then the summer following is generally 
 ■wet, five times in six. — Dr. Kirwan. 
 
 Is't on St. Mary's bright and clear, ^/h (Lady 
 
 Fertile is said to be the year. W - 
 
 The flower cardamine, or lady's-smock, with its milk-white 
 flowers, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and appears about 
 Lady Day. 
 
 The three last days of March (old style) are called the Borrowed 
 borrowing days ; for as they are remarked to be unusually " a y s - 
 stormy, it is feigned that March had borrowed them from 
 April to extend the sphere of his rougher sway. — Sir W. Scott. 
 
 March borrowit from April 
 
 Three days, and they were ill : 
 
 The first was frost, the second was snaw, 
 
 The third was cauld as ever't could blaw. 
 
 Scotch. 
 March borrows of April 
 Three days, and they are ill ; 
 April borrows of March again 
 Three days of wind and rain. 
 
 The warst blast comes in the borrowing days. 
 
22 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [March.] 
 
 Borrowed 
 
 days. 
 
 Blackthorn 
 winter. 
 
 April. 
 
 Rai, 
 
 Flood. 
 
 The Spanish story about the borrowing days is that a shepherd 
 promised March a lamb if he would temper the winds to suit 
 his flocks ; but after gaining his point, the shepherd refused to 
 pay over the lamb. In revenge March borrowed three days 
 from April, in which fiercer winds than ever blew and punished 
 the deceiver. 
 
 March borrowed of April, April borrowed of May, 
 
 Three days, they say : 
 
 One rained, and one snew, 
 
 And the other was the worst day that ever blew. 
 
 Staffordshire. 
 
 The oldest North-Country version of the proverb about the 
 borrowing days is the following : — 
 
 March said to Averil, 
 
 I see three hoggs [year-old sheep] on yonder hill ; 
 
 An' if ye'll lend me dayis three, 
 
 I'll find a way to gar them dee. 
 
 The first o' them was wind an' weet ; 
 
 The second o' them was snaw an' sleet ; 
 
 The third o' them was sic' a freeze, 
 
 It froze the birds' nebs to the trees. 
 
 When the three days were past and gane, 
 
 The silly hoggs cam' hirplin hame. 
 
 Scotland and North England. 
 
 March borrowed from April 
 
 Three days, and they were ill : 
 
 The first of them is wan and weet, 
 
 The second it is snaw and sleet, 
 
 The third of them is a peel-a-bane, 
 
 And freezes the wee bird's neb to the stane. 
 
 There are generally some warm days at the end of March or 
 beginning of April, which bring the blackthorn into bloom, and 
 which are followed by a cold period called the " Blackthorn 
 Winter." 
 
 A dry April 
 
 Not the farmer's will. 
 
 April wet 
 
 Is what he would get. 
 
 In April each drop counts for a thousand. — Spanish. 
 April rain is worth David's chariot. — French. 
 April showers bring summer flowers. 
 An April flood carries away the frog and his brood. 
 In April Dove's * flood is worth a king's good. 
 
 The river Dove in Derbyshire. 
 
Times and Seasons. 23 
 
 A cold April [April.] 
 
 The bam will fill. Cold. 
 
 Cold April gives bread and wine. — French. 
 
 A cold April, much bread and little wine. — Spanish. 
 
 April cold and wet fills barn and barrel. Cold and 
 
 wet. 
 A cold and moist April fills the cellar and fattens the cow. 
 
 Portuguese. 
 
 A sharp April kills the pig. 
 
 April snow breeds grass. 
 
 Till April's dead 
 Change not a thread. 
 
 It is not April without a frosty crown. — French, Frosty. 
 
 April wears a white hat. * 
 
 Changeable as an April day. Change. 
 
 April weather 
 
 Rain and sunshine, both together. 
 
 Vine that buds in April Buds. 
 
 Will not the barrel fill. — French. 
 
 Fogs in April foretell a failure of the wheat crop next year. Fog. 
 
 Alabama. 
 
 You must look for grass in April on the top of an oak. Be- Oak. 
 cause the grass seldom springs well before the oak begins to 
 put forth. — Ray. 
 
 Plant your taturs when you will, Potatoes. 
 
 They won't come up before April. — Wiltshire. 
 
 Whatever March does not want April brings along. m^" V""* 
 
 Snow in April is manure ; snow in March devours. d M h 
 
 snouts. 
 A swarm of bees in April for me, and one in May for my April and 
 brother. — Spain. May. 
 
 In April much rain ; in May a flood or two, and these not great. 
 
 Spain. 
 
 Betwixt April and May if there be rain, 
 'Tis worth more than oxen and wain. 
 
 Who ploughs in April ought not to have been born ; who 
 ploughs in May ought neither to have been born nor nursed. 
 
 Spanish. 
 
 April and May are the keys of the year. 
 Milk of April and May.— Spanish. 
 
 * Frost. 
 
2 4 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 April and 
 May. * 
 
 Cloudy. 
 Rani. 
 
 April and 
 June. 
 
 April and 
 
 autumn. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 Early part 
 of. 
 
 First three 
 days. 
 
 April yd. 
 
 6th (Latter 
 Lady Day). 
 
 Hth. 
 Cuckoo. 
 
 April and May between them make bread for all the year. 
 
 Spain. 
 April for me. May for my master. 
 Cloudy April, dewy May. — French. 
 
 April rains for men, May for beasts. 
 [i.e., a rainy April is good for corn, and a wet May for grass 
 crops.] 
 
 Let it rain in April and May for me, 
 
 And all the rest of the year for thee. — Spain. 
 
 April showers bring forth May flowers. 
 
 After a wet April a dry June. 
 
 Moist April, clear June. 
 
 The dews of April and May 
 
 Make August and September gay. — French. 
 
 After warm April and October, a warm year. 
 Thunderstorm in April is the end of hoar-frost. 
 When April blows his horn, 
 It's good for hay and corn. 
 
 If it thunders on All Fools' Day 
 
 It brings good crops of corn and hay. 
 
 The early part of April is called the blackthorn winter, because 
 the thorn is then white with blossom and the weather generally 
 cold. 
 
 If the first three days of April be foggy, there will be a flood 
 
 in June. — Huntingdon. 
 
 The 3rd of April comes with the cuckoo and the nightingale. 
 
 On Lady Day the latter 
 
 The cold comes on the water. — T. Fuller. 
 
 This day is called cuckoo day, and the cuckoo's song is 
 
 generally first heard about this time. 
 
 In Aprill, the koocoo can sing her song by rote ; 
 
 In June, of tune she cannot sing a note : 
 
 At first, koo-coo, koo-coo, sing still can she do ; 
 
 At last, kooke, kooke, kooke ; six kookes to one koo. 
 
 Haywood, 1587. 
 
 In April, come he will ; 
 In May, he sings all day ; 
 In June, he alters his tune ; 
 In July, he prepares to fly ; 
 In August, go he must. 
 If he stay till September, 
 'Tis as much as the oldest man can ever remember. 
 
Times and Seasons. 25 
 
 The cuckoo in April, [April.] 
 
 He opens his bill; Cuckoo. 
 
 The cuckoo in May, 
 
 He sings the whole day ; 
 
 The cuckoo in June, 
 
 He changeth his tune ; 
 
 The cuckoo in July, 
 
 Away he must fly. — North Yorkshire. 
 
 In April, cuckoo sings her lay ; 
 
 In May, she sings both night and day ; 
 
 In June, she loses her sweet strain ; 
 
 In July, she flies off again.— North Yorkshire. 
 
 This day is called Swallow Day, because swallows ought to 15M. 
 appear at this date. 
 
 If on St. George's Day the birch leaf is the size of a farthing, 23™? (St. 
 on the feast of our Lady of Kazan you will have corn in the gorges 
 
 n Da y)- 
 
 barn. — Russia. 
 
 When on St. George rye will hide a crow, a good harvest 
 
 may be expected. 
 
 At St. George the meadow turns to hay. 
 
 St. George cries " Goe ! " zyd (St. 
 
 St. Mark cries " Hoe ! " George) ; 
 
 25th (St. 
 As long before St. Mark's Day as the frogs are heard croaking, Mark). 
 so long will they keep quiet afterwards. 
 
 The merry month of May. May - 
 
 Trust not a day ' ° ' 
 
 Ere birth of May.— Luther. 
 
 A hot May makes a fat churchyard. Hot. 
 
 For a warm May 
 
 The parsons pray. 
 [Meaning more burial fees — a libellous proverb.] 
 
 Blossoms in May Flowers. 
 
 Are not good, some say. 
 If May will be a gardener, he will not fill the granaries 
 
 Dry May brings nothing gay. z> iy 
 
 May damp and cool fills the barns and wine vats. Damp 
 
 A May wet Wet. 
 
 Was never kind yet. 
 
 The haddocks are good 
 When dipped in May flood. 
 
 Rainy May marries peasants. — French. 
 
 Water in May is bread all the year. — Spain and Italy. 
 
26 Weather Lore. 
 
 [May.] A May flood 
 
 Wct - Never did good. 
 
 To be hoped for, like rain in May. — Spain. 
 
 Rain in the beginning of May is said to injure the wine. 
 
 A cold May is kindly, 
 And fills the barn finely. 
 
 A wet May 
 
 Makes a big load of hay. — West Shropshire. 
 
 A wet May 
 
 Will fill a byre full of hay. 
 
 May showers bring milk and meal. — Scotch. 
 
 A wet May and a winnie 
 Makes a fou stackyard and a finnie. — Scotch. 
 ["Finnie" — the good quality, as judged by the feel of the 
 corn. — P. Dudgeon.] 
 
 Cool and A cool May and a windy 
 
 ™>"dy- Barn filleth up finely.— T. Fuller. 
 
 A cold May and a windy 
 Makes a barn full and a findy. 
 
 A cold May and a windy, a full barn will find ye. 
 
 [The three last are corrupt English versions of the Scotch 
 proverb.] 
 
 A windy May makes a fair year. — Portuguese. 
 
 A cold May is good for corn and hay. 
 
 Till May be out 
 Leave not off a clout. 
 
 Or— 
 Change not a clout 
 Till May be out. 
 
 May, come she early or come she late, 
 She'll make the cow to quake. — 'French. 
 
 Come it early or come it late, 
 
 In May comes the cow-quake [i.e., tremulous grass]. 
 
 Cold. Cold May brings many things. 
 
 In the middle of May comes the tail of the winter. — French. 
 
 Cold May enriches no one. 
 
 Shear your sheep in May, 
 And shear them all away. 
 
 Dew. Cool and evening dew in May, brings wine and much hay. 
 
 Dry. For an east wind in May 'tis your duty to pray. 
 
Times and Seasons. 27 
 
 A snowstorm in May [May.] 
 
 Is worth a waggon-load of hay. Snowy. 
 
 Many thunderstorms in May, Thunder. 
 
 And the farmer sings " Hey ! hey ! " 
 
 The more thunder in May, the less in August and September. 
 
 Be sure of hay till the end of May. — T. Fuller. Hay. 
 
 In May much straw and little grain. — Spanish. 
 
 To wed in May is to wed poverty. 
 
 Maids are May when they are maids ; but the sky changes 
 when they are wives. — Shakespeare's " As You Like It." 
 
 He who mows in May Mowing. 
 
 Will have neither fruit nor hay. — Portuguese. 
 
 He who sows oats in May Sowing. 
 
 Gets little that way. 
 
 In May an east-lying field is worth wain and oxen ; in June, 
 the oxen and the yoke. 
 
 Be it weal or be it woe, Beans. 
 
 Beans blow before May doth go. 
 
 Look at your corn in May, May and 
 
 And you will come weeping away ; June. 
 
 Look at the same in June, 
 And you'll come home in another tune. 
 [A proverb alluding to the magical way in which unpromis- 
 ing crops sometimes recover.] 
 
 The farmer went to his wheat in May, 
 
 And came sorrowing away ; 
 
 The farmer went to his wheat in June, 
 
 And came away whistling a merry tune. — French. 
 
 A dry May is followed by a wet June 
 
 A dry May and a leaking June 
 
 Make the farmer whistle a merry tune. 
 
 They who bathe in May 
 Will soon be laid in clay ; 
 They who bathe in June 
 Will sing a merry tune ; 
 They who bathe in July 
 Will dance like a fly. 
 
 Mist in May, heat in June, 
 
 Make the harvest come right soon. 
 
28 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 May and A swarm of bees in May 
 
 l" ne - Is worth a load of hay ; 
 
 A swarm of bees in June 
 
 Is worth a silver spoon ; 
 
 But a swarm in July 
 
 Is not worth a fly. 
 
 A misty May and a hot June 
 Bring cheap meal and harvest soon. 
 
 A leaking May and a warm June 
 
 Bring on the harvest very soon. — Scotch. 
 
 A leaky May and a dry June 
 
 Keep the poor man's head abune [above]. 
 
 Greenock. 
 
 A dry May and a dripping June 
 
 Bring all things into tune. — Bedfordshire. 
 
 Wet May, dry July. — German. 
 
 Mud in May, grain in August. — Spanish. 
 
 A red gay May, best in any year ; 
 February full of snow is to the ground most dear ; 
 A whistling March, that makes the ploughman blithe ; 
 And moisty April, that fits him for the scythe. 
 
 WadroiPHE, 1623. 
 
 May 1st. Hoar-frost on May 1st indicates a good harvest. 
 
 The later the blackthorn in bloom after May 1st, the better 
 the rye and harvest. 
 
 If it rains on Philip's and Jacob's Day, a fertile year may be 
 expected. 
 
 May and 
 July- 
 May and 
 August. 
 
 May and 
 
 other 
 
 months. 
 
 8th. 
 
 11th, 12th, 
 and 13th. 
 
 I7,tk. 
 
 2$th. 
 
 June. 
 
 Calm. 
 
 Fair. 
 
 If on the 8th of May it rain, 
 
 It foretells a wet harvest, men sain. — T. Fuller. 
 
 St. Mamertius, St. Pancras, and St. Gervais do not pass 
 without a frost. — France. 
 
 Who shears his sheep before St. Gervatius' day loves more 
 his wool than his sheep. 
 
 At St. Urban gather your walnuts. — Spanish. 
 
 Calm weather in June 
 Sets corn in tune. 
 
 It never clouds up in a June night for a rain. — United States. 
 
Times and Seasons. 29 
 
 In the hay season, when there is no dew, it indicates rain. [June] 
 
 Hay season. 
 A cold and wet June spoils the rest of the year. Wet. 
 
 June damp and warm 
 Does the farmer no harm. 
 
 A good leak in June 
 Sets all in tune. 
 
 A dripping June 
 
 Brings all things in tune. 
 
 If north wind blows in June, good rye harvest. North wind. 
 
 In Scotland an early harvest is expected when the bramble Harvest. 
 blossoms early in June. 
 
 When it is hottest in June, it will be coldest in the corre- June and 
 sponding days of the next February. February. 
 
 A wet June makes a dry September. — Cornwall, J" ne an f 
 
 September. 
 
 If on the 8th of June it rain, June &th. 
 
 It foretells a wet harvest, men sain. 
 
 If it rain on June 8th (St. Medard), it will rain forty days 8//i and '19th. 
 later ; but if it rain on June 19th (St. Protais), it rains for 
 forty days after. — French. 
 
 On St. Barnabas nth. 
 
 Put a scythe to the grass. 
 
 Rain on St. Barnabas' Day good for grapes. 
 
 Barnaby bright, 
 
 The longest day and shortest night. 
 
 On St. Barnabas' Day 
 
 The sun is come to stay. — Spanish. 
 
 If St. Vitus's Day be rainy weather, I5"'- 
 
 It will rain for thirty days together. 
 
 Oh ! St. Vitus, do not rain, so that we may not want barley. 
 
 If it rains on midsummer eve, the filberts will be spoiled. 2 4 lh OS'- 
 
 John s Day). 
 
 Before St. John's Day no early crops are worth praising. 
 
 German. 
 
 Before St. John's Day we pray for rain after that we get it 
 
 anyhow. 
 
 Rain on St. John's Day, and we may expect a wet harvest. 
 
 Previous to St. John's Day we dare not praise barley. 
 
 If midsummer day be never so little rainy, the hazel and 
 
 walnut will be scarce ; corn smitten in many places ; but 
 
 apples, pears, and plums will not be hurt. — Shepherd's 
 
 Kalendar. 
 
3° 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 June 2\th 
 (St. John's 
 Day). 
 
 2Jth. 
 29th. 
 
 July. 
 
 Calm. 
 
 Oysters. 
 
 Sun in Leo. 
 
 Sky. 
 Rye. 
 
 Rain. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 July and 
 January. 
 
 July and 
 
 July, August 
 and Septem- 
 ber. 
 
 July 1st. 
 2nd. 
 
 Rain on St. John's Day, damage to nuts. 
 
 Cut your thistles before St. John, 
 You will have two instead of one. 
 
 Never rued the man 
 
 That laid in his fuel before St. John. — T. Fuller. 
 
 If it rains on June 27th, it will rain seven weeks. 
 
 If it rains on St. Peter's Day, the bakers will have to carry 
 double flour and single water ; if dry, they will carry single 
 flour and double water. 
 
 Peter and Paul will rot the roots of the rye. 
 
 July, God send thee calm and fayre, 
 
 That happy harvest we may see, 
 With quyet tyme and healthsome ayre, 
 
 And man to God may thankful bee. 
 
 No tempest, good July, 
 
 Lest corn come off blue by [mildew]. 
 
 No tempest, good July, 
 Lest the corn look ruely. 
 
 July, to whom, the dog-star in her train, 
 
 St. James gives oysters and St. Swithin rain. — Churchill. 
 
 When the sun enters Leo, the greatest heat will then arise. 
 
 Ne'er trust a July sky. — Shetland. 
 
 In July 
 
 Shear your rye. 
 
 A shower of rain in July, when the corn begins to fill, 
 Is worth a plough of oxen, and all belongs theretill. 
 
 Much thunder in July injures wheat and barley. 
 
 As July, so the next January. 
 
 In July 
 
 Some reap rye ; 
 
 In August, 
 
 If one will not, the other must. 
 
 Whatever July and August do not boil, September cannot fry. 
 
 When the months of July, August, and September are unusually 
 hot, January will be the coldest month. 
 
 If the 1st of July it be rainy weather, 
 
 It will rain more or less for four weeks together. 
 
 If it rains on St. Mary's Day, it will rain for four weeks. 
 
Times and Seasons. 31 
 
 a lL j j 1 Jiilv yd to 
 
 As the dog days commence, so they end. Aup-.i uh 
 
 (Dog days). 
 
 If it rains on first dog day, it will rain for forty days after. yd. 
 
 Dog days bright and clear 
 Indicate a happy year ; 
 But when accompanied by rain, 
 For better times our hopes are vain. 
 
 If Bullion's Day be dry, there will be a good harvest. — Scotch. a,th. 
 [St. Martin Bullion, to distinguish it from St. Martin's 
 Day. — P. Dudgeon.] 
 
 Bullion's Day, gif ye be fair, 
 
 For forty days 'twill rain nae mair. — Scotch. 
 
 If the deer rise dry and lie down dry on Bullion's Day, there 
 will be a good gose harvest. — Scotch. 
 
 [" Gose," latter end of summer.] 
 
 If it rains on July loth, it will rain for seven weeks. lotlt - 
 
 To the 12th of July from the 12th of May 12lh - 
 
 All is day. 
 
 If it rain on the feast of St. Processus and St. Martin, it '4'* (O-S-. 
 suffocates the corn. — Latin Proverb, " Norwich Doomsday ■'"^ 2n >' 
 Book." 
 
 Let not such vulgar tales debase thy mind, J 5^ (${■ 
 
 Nor Paul nor Swithin rule the clouds and wind.— Gay. JZ'')"" S 
 
 If about St. Swithin's Day a change of weather takes place, 
 we are likely to have a spell of fine or wet weather. 
 
 C. W. Empson. 
 
 If St. Swithin weep, that year, the proverb says, 
 The weather will be foul for forty days. — T. Fuller. 
 
 If St. Swithin greets, the proverb says, 
 
 The weather will be foul for forty days. — Scotch. 
 
 In this month is St. Swithin's Day, 
 On which if.that it rain they say, 
 Full forty days after it will 
 Or more or less some rain distil. 
 
 Poor Robin's Almanack, 1697. 
 
 St. Swithin is christening the apples. 
 [This saying is applied to rain on St. Swithin's Day.] 
 
 St. Swithin's Day, if ye do rain, 
 
 For forty days it will remain ; 
 
 St. Swithin's Day, an' ye be fair, 
 
 For forty days 'twill rain nae mair. — Scotch. 
 
32 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 July 15M. 
 
 July I$th 
 and August 
 24th. 
 \<)th. 
 
 20th. 
 
 It is said in Tuscany that the weather on St. Gallo's Day 
 (July 15th) will prevail for forty days ; and at Rome the period 
 is extended to any day within the octave of St. Bartholomew. 
 
 All the tears that St. Swithin can cry 
 St. Bartlemy's dusty mantle wipes dry. 
 
 At St. Vincent the rain ceases and the wind comes. — French. 
 
 Clear on St. Jacob's Day, plenty of fruit. 
 
 So much rain often falls about this day that people often 
 speak of " Margaret's flood." 
 
 Rain on St. Margaret's Day will destroy all kinds of nuts. 
 
 German. 
 
 The roses are said to begin to fade on this day. 
 
 Alluding to the wet usually prevalent about the middle of July, 
 the saying is : " St. Mary Magdalene is washing her hand- 
 kerchief to go to her cousin St. James's fair. 
 
 Folk-Lore Journal. 
 
 Till St. James's Day be come and gone, 
 You may have hops and you may have none. 
 
 Dry August and warm 
 Doth harvest no harm. 
 
 August sunshine and bright nights ripen the grapes. 
 
 August rain gives honey, wine, and saffron. — Portuguese. 
 
 When it rains in August, it rains honey and wine. 
 
 French and Spanish. 
 
 A wet August never brings dearth. — Italian. 
 
 So many August fogs, so many winter mists. 
 
 Observe on what day in August the first heavy fog occurs, and 
 expect a hard frost on the same day in October. 
 
 United States. 
 
 A fog in August indicates a severe winter and plenty of snow. 
 
 When the dew is heavy in August, the weather generally 
 remains fair. Thunderstorms in the beginning of August will 
 generally be followed by others all the month. 
 
 As August, so the next February. 
 
 August ripens, September gathers in ; 
 August bears the burden, September the fruit. 
 
 Portuguese. 
 
 August and None in August should over the land, 
 
 December. In December none over the sea. 
 
 22nd Mary 
 
 Magdalene's 
 
 Day. 
 
 25th. 
 
 August. 
 Dry. 
 
 Sunshine. 
 Wet. 
 
 Fops. 
 
 Dew. 
 
 August and 
 February. 
 August and 
 September. 
 
Times and Seasons. 33 
 
 After Lammas corn ripens as much by night as by day. [August. ] 
 
 [Note.— Alluding to the heavy night dews.l Lammas 
 
 Day. 
 If the first week in August is unusually warm, the winter First week. 
 will be white and long. 
 
 _ „ , „ , . Old Style, 
 
 bt. Margarets flood is proverbial, and is considered to be well August ist ; 
 
 for the harvest in England. New Style, 
 
 August 1 ph. 
 
 If on St. Lawrence's Day the weather be fine, fair autumn lot/i. 
 and good wine may be hoped for. — German. 
 
 On St. Mary's Day sunshine 15^. 
 
 Brings much and good wine. 
 
 If this day be misty, the morning beginning with a hoar-frost, 24th (St. 
 
 the cold weather will soon come, and a hard winter. Bartholo- 
 
 Shepherd's Kalendar. mcw ' s D "y ) - 
 If it rains this day, it will rain the forty days after. — Roman. 
 
 At St. Bartholomew ' 
 
 There comes cold dew. 
 
 St. Bartlemy's mantle wipes dry 
 
 All the tears that St. Swithin can cry. 
 
 If the 24th of August be fair and clear, 
 
 Then hope for a prosperous autumn that year. 
 
 As Bartholomew's Day, so the whole autumn. 
 Thunderstorms after Bartholomew's Day are generally violent. 
 
 September 
 September dries up wells or breaks down bridges. Dry or wet. 
 
 Portuguese. 
 
 'Tis September's sun which causes the black list upon the Sun. 
 antelope's back. — Bombay. 
 
 As September, so the coming March. September 
 
 and March. 
 A wet September, drought for next summer, famine, and no Wet. 
 crops. — California. 
 
 Heavy September rains bring drought. — United States. Rain. 
 
 Rain in September is good for the farmer, but poison to the 
 vine-growers. — German. 
 
 September rain is much liked by the farmer. 
 
 September rain good for crops and vines. 
 
 If the storms in September clear off warm, all the storms Storms. 
 of the following winter will be warm. 
 
 3 
 
Weather Lore. 
 
 [September.] 
 Cold. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 Fodder. 
 
 September 
 and 
 
 November. 
 Sept. 1st. 
 
 Sth. 
 
 14th 
 (Holyrood). 
 
 Three windy 
 days. 
 
 15/A. 
 
 igth. 
 
 7.0th, 21st, 
 and 22nd. 
 
 21st (St. 
 
 Matthew's 
 
 Day). 
 
 When a cold spell occurs in September and passes without a 
 frost, a frost will not occur until the same time in October. 
 
 Thunder in September indicates a good crop of grain and fruit 
 for next year. 
 
 Preserve your fodder in September and your cow will fatten. 
 
 Portuguese. 
 
 September blow soft till the fruit's in the loft. 
 November take flail, let ships no more sail. 
 
 Fair on September 1st, fair for the month. 
 
 St. Giles finishes the walnuts. — Spanish. 
 
 As on the Sth, so for the next four weeks. 
 
 The passion flower blossomed about this time. The flower 
 is said to present a resemblance to the cross or rood, the 
 nails, and the crown of thorns, used at the Crucifixion. 
 
 Circle of the Seasons. 
 
 If dry be the buck's horn 
 On Holyrood morn, 
 
 'Tis worth a kist of gold ; 
 But if wet it be seen 
 Ere Holyrood e'en, 
 
 Bad harvest is foretold. — Yorkshire. 
 
 If the hart and the hind meet dry and part dry on Rood Day 
 
 fair, 
 For sax weeks, of rain there'll be nae mair. — Scotch. 
 
 On Holy-Cross Day 
 Vineyards are gay. — Spanish. 
 
 There are generally three consecutive windy days about the 
 middle of September, which have been called by the Midland 
 millers the windy days of barley harvest. 
 
 This day is said to be fine in six years out of seven. 
 
 T. Forster's " Perennial Calendar." 
 
 If on September 19th there is a storm from the south, a mild 
 winter may be expected. — Derby. 
 
 These three days of September rule the weather for 
 October, November, and December. 
 
 St. Matthee, 
 Shut up the bee. 
 
 St. Matthew's rain fattens pigs and goats. — Spain. 
 
 St. Matthew 
 
 Brings on the cold dew. 
 
Times and Seasons. 35 
 
 St. Matthew makes the days and nights equal. — Spanish. Sept. 21st 
 
 Matthew's Day, bright and clear, tkL%£toy). 
 
 Brings good wine in next year. 
 
 South wind on September 21st indicates that the rest of the 
 
 autumn will be warm. 
 
 St. Matthew, St. Matthew 
 
 Get candlesticks new ; a J'A>r ,., ■ 
 
 _ „„ , . St. Matthias. 
 
 St. Matin, 
 
 Lay candlesticks by. 
 
 So many days old the moon is on Michaelmas Day, so many 29/A 
 floods after.— Howell. (Michaelmas 
 
 Day). 
 On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on the blackberries. 
 
 North of Ireland. 
 
 If St. Michael brings many acorns, Christmas will cover the 
 fields with snow. 
 
 Michaelmas rot 
 
 Comes ne'er in the pot. 
 
 St. Michael's rain does not stay long in the sky. — French. 
 
 , September 
 
 If it does not rain on St. Michael's and Gallus, a dry spring 2 gth and 
 
 is indicated for the next year. October 16th. 
 
 Dry your barley in October, October. 
 
 Or you'll always be sober. 
 [Because if this is not done there will be no malt. — Swainson.] 
 
 A good October and a good blast, Wind. 
 
 To blow the hog acorn and mast. 
 
 There are always nineteen fine days in October. — Kent. Fine 
 
 Much rain in October, much wind in December. Rain. 
 
 When it freezes and snows in October, January will bring mild Cold. 
 weather ; but if it is thundering and heat-lightning, the weather 
 will resemble April in temper. 
 
 If October bring heavy frosts and winds, then will January Frosts etc. 
 and February be mild. 
 
 If the first snow falls on moist, soft earth, it indicates a small Show. 
 harvest ; but if upon hard, frozen soil, a good harvest. 
 
 For every fog in October a snow in the winter, heavy or light Fogs. 
 according as the fog is heavy or light. 
 
 If in the fall of the leaves in October many of them wither Leaves. 
 
 on the boughs and hang there, it betokens a frosty winter and 
 
 much snow. 0ctober and 
 
 Warm October, cold February. February. 
 
 October 
 If October bring much frost and wind, then are January and January and 
 
 February mild. Fein nary. 
 
36 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 October and 
 March. 
 
 October and 
 winter. 
 
 Moon. 
 
 October and 
 November. 
 
 Manure. 
 October l8th. 
 
 2&th. 
 
 (J5S. Simon 
 
 and Jnde). 
 
 November. 
 
 Windy. 
 
 Cheerless. 
 
 Flowers. 
 Water. 
 
 Cold. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 November 
 and March. 
 
 Nov. 1st 
 (All Saints' 
 Day). 
 
 As the weather in October, so will it be in the next March. 
 
 When birds and badgers are fat in October, expect a cold winter. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Full moon in October without frost, no frost till full moon in 
 November. 
 
 Plenty of rain in October and November on the North Pacific 
 coast indicates a mild winter ; little rain in these months will 
 be followed by a severe winter. 
 
 In October dung your field, 
 
 And your land its wealth shall yield. 
 
 St. Luke's little summer. 
 
 There is often about this time a spell of fine, dry weather, 
 and this has received the name of St. Luke's little summer. 
 This day was anciently accounted as certain to be rainy. 
 
 On St. Jude's Day 
 The oxen may play. 
 
 November take flail, 
 
 Let ships no more sail. — Tusser. 
 
 No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease, 
 No comfortable feel in any member, 
 No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, 
 No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds — 
 No-vember. — T. Hood. 
 
 Flowers in bloom late in autumn indicate a bad winter. 
 
 When in November the water rises, it will show itself the 
 whole winter. 
 
 If there's ice in November that will bear a duck, 
 There'll be nothing after but sludge and muck. 
 
 A heavy November snow will last till April. — New England. 
 
 Thunder in November, a fertile year to come. 
 Thunder in November on the Northern lakes is taken as an 
 indication that the lakes will remain open till at least the 
 middle of December. — United States. 
 
 As November, so the following March. 
 
 On the 1st of November, if the weather hold clear, 
 An end of wheat sowing do make for the year. 
 
 In Sweden there is often about this time some warm weather, 
 called " The All Saints' rest." 
 
 In Shakespeare's Henry IV., Act I., Scene 2, mention is also 
 made of the All Hallow'n summer. — Swainson. 
 
Times and Seasons. 2>7 
 
 If All Saints' Day will bring out the winter, St. Martin's Day Nov. \st 
 
 will bring out Indian summer. — United States. (All Saints 
 
 Day). 
 
 If on All Saints' Day the beech nut is dry, we shall have a hard 
 
 winter ; but if the nut be wet and not light, we may expect a 
 
 wet winter. 
 
 If ducks do slide at Hollantide, lUh OS'- 
 
 At Christmas they will swim ; n"V" S 
 
 If ducks do swim at Hollantide, 
 At Christmas they will slide. 
 
 If it is at Martinmas fair, dry, and cold, the cold in winter will 
 not last long. 
 
 If the geese at Martin's Day stand on ice, they will walk in 
 mud at Christmas. 
 
 If the leaves of the trees and grape vines do not fall before 
 Martin's Day, a cold winter may be expected. 
 
 When the wind is in this quarter (S.S.W.) at Martinmas, it 
 keeps mainly to the same point right on to Old Candlemas Day 
 (February 14th), and we shall have a mild winter up to then and 
 no snow to speak of. — Verified in 1869 (see "Notes and 
 Queries," May 8th, 1869). 
 
 Wind north-west at Martinmas, severe winter to come. 
 
 Huntingdonshire. 
 
 If the wind is in the south-west at Martinmas, it keeps there 
 till after Candlemas, with a mild winter up to then and no 
 snow to speak of. — Midland Counties. 
 
 At St. Martin's Day 
 
 Winter is on his way. — French. 
 
 Expect St. Martin's summer, halcyon days [i.e., fine weather at 
 Martinmas]. — Shakespeare's "Henry VI.," Part I., Act. I., 
 Scene 2. 
 
 It is an old saying with the people round here (Atherstone), Weather 
 " Where the wind is on Martinmas Eve, there it will be the folk-lore. 
 rest of the winter." The following, from Brand's Popular- 
 Antiquities, has reference to the first part of the foregoing : 
 " The weather on Martinmas Eve is anxiously watched by the 
 farmers in the Midland Counties, as it is supposed to be an 
 index to the barometer for some two or three months forward.'' 
 
 November 
 'Tvveen Martinmas and Yule nth and 
 
 Water's wine in every pool. — Scotland. December 
 
 25/h. 
 
 As November 21st, so is the winter. Nov. 21st. 
 
 As at Catherine foul or fair, so will be the next February. 25th. 
 
38 
 
 IVeather Lore. 
 
 December. 
 
 Cold. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 December 
 andjanuary. 
 
 1st Sunday. 
 
 Dec. nth, 
 
 Halcyon 
 
 days. 
 
 21st (St. 
 
 Thomas's 
 
 Day). 
 
 2$th. 
 
 Christmas 
 sunshine. 
 
 Windy. 
 
 Christmas 
 and Easter. 
 
 Wet. 
 
 Ice and 
 snow. 
 
 December cold with snow, good for rye. 
 
 Thunder in December presages fine weather. 
 
 December's frost and January's flood 
 Never boded the husbandman's good. 
 
 If it rains on this Sunday before Mass, it will rain for a week. 
 
 The fourteen halcyon days then began — days in which in the 
 Mediterranean a calm weather was expected, so that the 
 halcyon or hawk could (it was supposed) make its nest on 
 the surface of the sea. — See Virgil's " Georgics," Book I., 
 Line 393. 
 
 Look at the weathercock on St. Thomas's Day at twelve 
 o'clock, and see which way the wind is, for there it will stick 
 for the next (lunar) quarter. 
 
 A green Christmas makes a fat churchyard. 
 
 A green Christmas brings a heavy harvest, — Rutland. 
 
 At Christmas meadows green, at Easter covered with frost. 
 
 A clear and bright sun on Christmas Day fortelleth a peaceable 
 year and plenty ; but if the wind grow stormy before sunset, 
 it betokeneth sickness in the spring and autumn quarters. 
 
 The shepherd would rather see his wife enter the stable on 
 Christmas Day than the sun. — German. 
 
 If the sun shine through the apple tree on Christmas Day, 
 there will be an abundant crop in the following year. 
 
 Light Christmas,* light wheatsheaf ; 
 Dark Christmas, heavy wheatsheaf. 
 
 If windy on Christmas Day, trees will bring much fruit. 
 
 A warm Christmas, a cold Easter ; 
 
 A green Christmas, a white Easter. — German. 
 
 Easter in snow, Christmas in mud ; 
 Christmas in snow, Easter in mud. 
 
 Christmas wet, empty granary and barrel. 
 
 If Christmas finds a bridge, he'll break it ; if he finds none 
 he'll make one. 
 
 If it snows during Christmas night, the crops will do well. 
 So far as the sun shines on Christmas Day, 
 So far will the snow blow in May. — Germany. 
 
 Snow on Christmas night, good hop crop next year. 
 
 * If full moon about Christmas Day. 
 
Times and Seasons. 39 
 
 If at Christmas ice hangs on the willow, clover may be cut at Dec. 2$th. 
 Easter. Ice - 
 
 If ice will bear a man before Christmas, it will not bear a 
 mouse afterwards. [Also said of a goose and duck.] 
 
 When the blackbird sings before Christmas, she will cry Blackbird. 
 before Candlemas. — Meath. 
 
 If Christmas Day on Thursday be, Supersti- 
 
 A windy winter ye shall see ; tious **»»" ' 
 
 Windy weather in each week, 
 And hard tempest strong and thick, 
 The summer shall be good and dry, 
 Corn and beasts shall multiply ; 
 The year is good for lands to till, 
 Kings and princes shall die by skill, etc., etc. 
 [There are eight more lines of the same superstitious 
 
 character, but not relating to the weather.] 
 
 Christmas 
 A windy Christmas and a calm Candlemas are signs of a good and 
 year. 
 
 If on Christmas night the wine ferments heavily in the barrels, Wine. 
 a good wine year is to follow. 
 
 Thunder during Christmas week indicates that there will be Thunder. 
 much snow during the winter. 
 
 Candlemas. 
 
 These twelve days are said to be the keys of the weather for Dec. 25/A to 
 the whole year. ■'""' -> ' 
 
 There was a superstitious practice in France on Christmas Chris/mas to 
 Day of placing twelve onions, representing the twelve months. Epiphany. 
 Each onion had a pinch of salt on the top ; and if the salt 
 had melted by Epiphany, the month corresponding was put 
 down as sure to be wet ; while it tne salt remained, the 
 month was to be dry. 
 
 If it rain much during the twelve days after Christmas, it will 
 be a wet year. 
 
 St. Stephen's Day windy, bad for next year's grapes. Dec. 26th. 
 
 The Shepherd's Kalendar mentions that if it be lowering zSth (Inno- 
 and wet on Childermas Day, there will be scarcity ; while if cents' Day). 
 the day be fair, it promises plenty. \ 
 
 If New Year's Eve night wind blow south, 31s/. 
 
 It betokeneth warmth and growth ; 
 
 If west, much milk and fish in the sea ; 
 
 If north, much cold and storms there will be ; 
 
 If east, the trees will bear much fruit ; 
 
 If north-east, flee it man and brute. 
 
40 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Equinox. As the wind and weather at the equinoxes, so will they be 
 for the next three months. 
 
 As the equinoctial storms clear, so will all storms clear for 
 the six months. 
 
 Vernal 
 equinox, 
 wind N.E. 
 and S. W. 
 
 Wind north-east or north at noon of the vernal equinox, no 
 fine weather before midsummer. If westerly or south-westerly, 
 fine weather till midsummer. 
 
 If the wind is north-east at vernal equinox, it will be a good 
 season for wheat and a poor one for other kinds of corn ; 
 but if south or south-west, it will be good for other corn, but 
 bad for wheat. 
 
 Equinoctial The vernal equinoctial gales are stronger than the autumnal. 
 
 gales. 
 
 If near the time of the equinox it blows in the day, it generally 
 
 hushes towards evening. 
 
 PROVERBS RELATING TO VARIOUS MOVABLE 
 FEASTS, ETC. 
 
 Shrove 
 Tuesday. 
 
 So much as the sun shineth on Pancake Tuesday, the like 
 will shine every day in Lent. 
 
 Thunder on Shrove Tuesday foretelleth wind, store of fruit, 
 and plenty. 
 
 When the sun is shining on Shrovetide Day, it is meant well 
 for rye and peas. 
 
 Wherever the wind lies on Ash Wednesday, it continues 
 Wednesday, during all Lent. 
 
 As Ash Wednesday, so the fasting time. 
 
 Lent. Dry Lent, fertile year. 
 
 Palm If the weather is not clear on Palm Sunday, it means a bad 
 
 Sunday. year. 
 
 Ash 
 
 GoodFriday. 
 
 Good Friday 
 and Easter 
 Day. 
 
 Easter. 
 
 Rain on Good Friday foreshows a fruitful year. 
 
 A wet Good Friday and a wet Easter Day 
 Make plenty of grass, but very little hay. 
 
 Late Easter, long, cold spring. — Sussex. 
 
 Rain at Easter gives slim fodder. — United States. 
 
 A rainy Easter betokens a good harvest. — French. 
 
Times and Seasons. 41 
 
 If the sun shines on Easter Day, it shines on Whitsunday [Easter.] 
 likewise. 
 
 Past Easter frost, Frost. 
 
 Fruit not lost. 
 
 A good deal of rain upon Easter Day Rain. 
 Gives a good crop of grass, but little good hay. 
 
 Hertfordshire. 
 
 Such weather as there is on Easter Day there will be at harvest. Weather. 
 [As a correspondent in Notes and Queries (July 10th, 
 1875) points out, this superstition may have arisen 
 from the pagan sacrifice to the goddess Eostre (from 
 which name the Venerable Bede says " Easter " is 
 derived), a sacrifice made about the vernal equinox, 
 with a view to a good harvest.] 
 
 The first Sunday after Easter settles the weather for the First Sun- 
 
 whole summer. — Sweden. day after. 
 
 If it rains on Pastor Sunday, it will rain every Sunday until Pastor Sun- 
 
 Pentecost (Whitsunday). da / (second 
 
 aftcrEaster). 
 
 Fine on Holy Thursday, wet on Whit-Monday ; fine on Whit- Holy 
 
 Monday, wet on Holy Thursday.— Huntingdonshire. Thursday. 
 
 As the weather on Ascension Day, so may be the entire Ascension 
 
 autumn. Da y- 
 
 If fair weather from Easter to Whitsuntide, the butter will be Easter to 
 
 cheap. Whitsuntide. 
 
 Corpus Christi Day clear clTisti 
 
 Gives a good year. (Thursday 
 
 after Trinity 
 
 If it rain on Corpus Christi Day, the rye granary will be light. Sunday). 
 
 Whitsuntide rain, blessing for wine. Whitsuntide. 
 
 Rain at Whitsuntide is said to make the wheat mildewed. 
 
 Strawberries at Whitsuntide indicate good wine. 
 
 Whitsunday bright and clear Whitsunday 
 
 Will bring a fertile year. ^ ll ' d al f° 
 
 J Pentecost — 
 
 If Whitsunday bring rain, we expect many a plague. the fiftieth 
 
 day after 
 
 Rain at Pentecost forebodes evil. Easter). 
 
 Whitsunday 
 
 Whitsunday wet, Christmas fat. and Christ- 
 mas. 
 
4 2 Weather Lore. 
 
 PROVERBS RELATING TO THE MONTHS 
 GENERALLY. 
 Month. The month that comes in good will go out bad. 
 
 Satire. Dirty days hath September, 
 
 April, June, and November ; 
 From January up to May, 
 The rain it raineth every day. 
 All the rest have thirty-one, 
 Without a blessed gleam of sun ; 
 And if any of them had tvvo-and-thirty, 
 They'd be just as wet and twice as dirty. — Maine, U.S. 
 Character of . January fierce, cold, and frosty, 
 
 February moist and aguish, 
 March dusty, 
 April rainy, 
 
 May pretty, gay, and windy, 
 Bring an abundant harvest. — French. 
 A frosty winter and a dusty March, 
 
 And a rain about Aperill, 
 And another about the Lammas * time, 
 
 When the corn begins to fill, 
 Is worth a plough of gold 
 And all her pins theretill. 
 [A Scotch version of this, attributed to G. Buchanan, will be found among 
 the March proverbs, p. 20.] 
 
 DAYS OF THE WEEK. 
 
 1'luse sayings, though, for the most part, purely superstitious, I have 
 inserted in order to complete the collection. 
 
 Wednesday When the sun sets clear 011 Wednesday, expect clear weather 
 c ' m '- the rest of the week. 
 
 Wednesday clearing, clear till Sunday. 
 Thursday. On Thursday at three 
 
 Look out, and you'll see 
 What Friday will be. — South Devon. 
 Friday. Friday's a day as'll have his trick, 
 
 The fairest or foulest day o' the wik [week]. 
 
 Shropshire. 
 Friday and Fine on Friday, 
 
 Sunday. Fine on Sunday ; 
 
 Wet on Friday, 
 Wet on Sunday. — France. 
 
 As the Friday, so the Sunday. 
 * August 1st. 
 
Times and Seasons. 
 
 If on Friday it rain, Friday and 
 
 'Twill on Sunday again ; Sunday, 
 
 If Friday be clear, 
 Have for Sunday no fear. 
 
 If the sun sets clear on Friday, it will blow before Sunday 
 night. 
 
 Right as the Friday sothly for to tell Friday's 
 
 Now shineth it and now it raineth fast ; weather. 
 
 Right so can gery Venus overcast 
 
 The hertes of hire folk, right as her day 
 
 Is gerfull, right so changeth she aray ; 
 
 Selde is the Friday all the weke ylike. 
 
 Chaucer's "Knight's Tale." 
 
 Friday is the best or worst day of the week. 
 
 If the sun sets clear on Friday, generally expect rain before 
 Monday. 
 
 There is never a Saturday without some sunshine. Saturday. 
 
 If it rains on Sunday before Mass, it will rain all the week. Sunday. 
 
 Sunday clearing, clear till Wednesday. Clearing. 
 
 If sunset on Sunday is cloudy, it will rain before Wednesday. Sunset. 
 
 When it storms on the first Sunday in the month, it will storm First in 
 every Sunday. month. 
 
 The last Sunday in the month indicates the weather of the Last in 
 next month. month - 
 
 A misty morning may have a fine day. — T. Fuller. Day 
 
 misty. 
 Too bright a morning breeds a lowering day. 
 
 Play of " Edward III." 
 
 When there are three days cold, expect three days colder. Cold. 
 
 A warm and serene day, which we say is too fine for the Fine. 
 season, betokens a speedy reverse. — " Whitby Glossary," 
 F. K. Robinson. 
 
 Frosty nights and hot sunny days Days and 
 
 Set the corn fields all in a blaze. nights. 
 
 A bad day has a good night. ^ « nd 
 
 A day should be praised at night. — Norway. 
 
 If a change of weather occur when the sun or moon is Noon 
 
 crossing the meridian, it is for twelve hours at least. change. 
 
 Nautical. 
 
 Twilight looming indicates rain. Twilight. 
 
 In the evening one may praise the day. — German. Evening. 
 
 If the weather change at night, it will not last when the day Night. 
 breaks. — France. 
 
44 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Hours. 
 10 and 2. 
 
 12 and 2. 
 
 7 and : 
 
 Cyc& o/ 
 change. 
 
 Between the hours of ten and two 
 Will show you what the day will do. 
 
 Between twelve and two 
 
 You'll see what the day will do. — Cornwall. 
 
 Rain at seven, fine at eleven ; 
 Rain at eight, not fine till eight. 
 
 Lord Bacon states that it is an old opinion that the weather 
 changes after forty years repeat themselves. 
 
 [Note. — The closest observation in modern times has failed 
 to fix any period after which the weather may be 
 said to repeat its changes.] 
 
 LIST OF COMMON PLANTS, 
 
 And the dates at which they ought to be in full flower. The forwardness 
 of the seasons may be judged by the ptmcluality of the appearance of 
 the blossoms. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 2 
 
 Groundsel 
 
 March 1 
 
 Leek 
 
 4 
 
 Hazel 
 
 M 
 
 4 
 
 Chickweed 
 
 5 
 
 Bearsfoot 
 
 II 
 
 5 
 
 Hellebore 
 
 6 
 
 Common Dead Nettle 
 
 II 
 
 6 
 
 Lent Lily 
 
 9 
 
 Laurel 
 
 IT 
 
 7 
 
 Early Daffodil 
 
 10 
 
 Gorse 
 
 l> 
 
 S 
 
 Great Jonquil 
 
 ii 
 
 Early Moss 
 
 „ 
 
 13 
 
 Heartsease 
 
 14 
 
 Barren Strawberry 
 
 II 
 
 i5 
 
 Coltsfoot 
 
 i5 
 
 Ivy 
 
 II 
 
 17 
 
 Shamrock 
 
 i7 
 
 Anemone (Garden) 
 
 II 
 
 17 
 
 Violet 
 
 ■9 
 
 White Dead Nettle 
 
 „ 
 
 24 
 
 Saxifrage 
 
 27 
 
 Earth Moss 
 
 II 
 
 25 
 
 Marigold 
 
 28 
 
 Double Daisy 
 
 H 
 
 29 
 
 Oxlip 
 
 30 
 
 Maidenhair 
 
 „ 
 
 3° 
 
 Cardamine 
 
 
 
 II 
 
 3° 
 
 Lesser Daffodil 
 
 1 
 
 Bay 
 
 
 
 
 ■? 
 
 Snowdrop 
 
 April 
 
 2 
 
 White Violet 
 
 5 
 
 Primrose 
 
 t> 
 
 4 
 
 Crown Imperial 
 
 6 
 
 Blue Hyacinth 
 
 n 
 
 7 
 
 Anemone (Wood) 
 
 9 
 
 Narcissus (Roman) 
 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 Ground Ivy 
 
 l 3 
 
 Potyanthus 
 
 M 
 
 9 
 
 Polyanthus (Red) 
 
 14 
 
 Yellow Crocus 
 
 " 
 
 11 
 
 Dandelion 
 
 17 
 
 Scotch Crocus 
 
 „ 
 
 12 
 
 Saxifrage (Great) 
 
 19 
 
 Speedwell 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 13 
 
 Narcissus (Green) 
 
 21 
 
 White Crocus 
 
 |» 
 
 16 
 
 Yellow Tulip 
 
 22 
 
 Common Daisy 
 
 11 
 
 19 
 
 Garlic 
 
 23 
 
 Apricot 
 
 if 
 
 23 
 
 Harebell 
 
 25 
 
 Peach 
 
 11 
 
 24 
 
 Blackthorn 
 
 26 
 
 Periwinkle (Lesser) 
 
 11 
 
 27 
 
 Great Daffodil 
 
 2S 
 
 Purple Crocus 
 
 „ 
 
 30 
 
 Cowslip 
 
Times and Seasons. 
 
 45 
 
 May 2 
 
 Charlock 
 
 July 
 
 17 
 
 Sweet Pea 
 
 11 2 
 
 Rhododendron 
 
 IT 
 
 23 
 
 Musk Flower 
 
 >i 3 
 
 Narcissus (Poetic) 
 
 If 
 
 25 
 
 Herb Christopher 
 
 >. s 
 
 Apple Tree 
 
 ft 
 
 26 
 
 Camomile (Field) 
 
 „ 8 
 
 Lily of the Valley 
 
 
 
 
 .. 9 
 
 Solomon's Seal 
 
 
 
 
 ii ll 
 
 Asphodel (Yellow) 
 
 Aug 
 
 2 
 
 Tiger Lily 
 
 „ 14 
 
 Common Peony 
 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Hollyhock 
 
 „ 16 
 
 Star of Bethlehem 
 
 
 t 
 
 4 
 
 Bluebell 
 
 „ 17 
 
 Poppy (Early Red) 
 
 
 t 
 
 6 
 
 Meadow Saffron 
 
 „ 18 
 
 Mouse Ear 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 Amaranth (Common) 
 
 ii ! 9 
 
 Monkshood 
 
 
 t 
 
 8 
 
 Love lies Bleeding 
 
 ii 20 
 
 Horse Chestnut 
 
 
 t 
 
 10 
 
 Balsam (Common) 
 
 ii 23 
 
 Lilac 
 
 
 . 
 
 11 
 
 China Aster 
 
 „ 26 
 
 Azalea (Yellow) 
 
 
 . 
 
 12 
 
 Sow Thistle (Great) 
 
 „ 27 
 
 Buttercup 
 
 
 t 
 
 iS 
 21 
 28 
 
 African Marigold 
 Sunflower 
 Golden Rod 
 
 June 1 
 
 Yellow Rose 
 
 
 , 
 
 29 
 
 Yellow Hollyhock 
 
 11 2 
 
 Pimpernel 
 
 
 1 
 
 31 
 
 Pheasant's Eye 
 
 ,. 4 
 
 Pink (Indian) 
 
 
 
 
 „ 6 
 
 Pink (Common) 
 
 Sept 
 
 . 5 
 
 Mushroom 
 
 „ 8 
 
 Moneywort 
 Barberry 
 
 y) 
 
 10 
 
 Autumnal Crocus 
 
 9 
 
 
 J 4 
 
 Passion Flower 
 
 ■1 10 
 
 Fleur de Lis (Yellow) 
 
 
 
 
 1 12 
 
 White Dog Rose 
 
 
 
 
 .. 13 
 
 Ranunculus (Garden) 
 
 Oct. 
 
 2 
 
 Common Soapwort 
 
 1. is 
 
 Sensitive Plant 
 
 M 
 
 4 
 
 Southernwood 
 
 „ 16 
 
 Moss Rose 
 
 !» 
 
 5 
 
 Camomile (Starlike) 
 
 „ 18 
 
 Poppy (Horned) 
 
 It 
 
 6 
 
 Fever Few (Late Flowering) 
 
 11 22 
 
 Canterbury Bell 
 
 ft 
 
 7 
 
 Crysanthemum (Indian) 
 
 .. 23 
 
 Lady's Slipper 
 
 f> 
 
 11 
 
 Holly 
 
 „ 24 
 
 St. John's Wort 
 
 ft 
 
 16 
 
 Yarrow 
 
 „ 25 
 
 Sweet William 
 
 M 
 
 17 
 
 Sunflower (Ten Leaved) 
 
 „ 26 
 
 Sow Thistle (Blue) 
 
 
 
 
 „ 28 
 
 Cornflower 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nov 
 
 1 
 
 Laurestine 
 
 
 
 M 
 
 6 
 
 Yew 
 
 July 1 
 
 Agrimony 
 
 tt 
 
 25 
 
 Butterbur (Sweet) 
 
 „ 2 
 
 White Lily 
 
 
 
 
 .. 7 
 
 Nasturtium 
 
 
 
 
 H 11 
 
 Yellow Lupin 
 
 Dec 
 
 4 
 
 Gooseberry (Barbadoes) 
 
 „ 12 
 
 Snap Dragon 
 
 P> 
 
 7 
 
 Achania (Hairy) 
 
 i> 13 
 
 Blue Lupin 
 
 IJ 
 
 8 
 
 Arbor Vita? 
 
 .. 14 
 
 Red Lupin 
 
 tt 
 
 23 
 
 Cedar of Lebanon 
 
 „ 16 
 
 Convolvolus Major 
 
 
 II 
 
 26 
 
 Purple Heath 
 
4 6 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 FLOWERS 
 Which should open on ce7-tain saints' days. 
 
 Feb. 2 Candlemas, Snowdrop 
 ,, 14 St. Valentine, Crocus 
 March 25 Lady Day, Daffodil 
 April 23 St. George, Harebell 
 May 3 Holy Cross, Crowfoot 
 June 1 1 St. Barnabas, Ragged Robin 
 „ 24 St. John the Baptist, Scarlet 
 Lychnis 
 July 15 St. S within, Lily 
 ,, 20 St. Margaret, Poppy 
 
 July 22 St. Magdalene, Rose 
 Aug. 1 Lammas, Camomile 
 ,, 15 Assumption, Virgin's Bower 
 1, 24 St. Bartholomew, Sun 
 flower 
 Sept. 14 Holyrood, Passion Flower 
 ,, 29 Michaelmas, Michaelmas 
 
 Daisy 
 Nov. 25 St. Catherine, Laurel 
 Dec. 25 Christmas, Ivy and Holly 
 
 LIST OF COMMON FLOWERS, 
 
 And the times at which, in ordinary fine weather, they open and close their 
 petals. Their opening later or closing earlier than the usual time is a 
 sign of rain, and vice versa. 
 
 Goatsbeard 
 
 Succory . 
 
 Ox Tongue 
 
 Naked Poppy 
 
 Day Lily . 
 
 Sow Thistle 
 
 Blue Thistle . 
 
 Dandelion 
 
 Convolvulus 
 
 Spotted Hawkweed 
 
 Lettuce 
 
 "White Water Lily 
 
 African Marigold 
 
 Pimpernel 
 
 Proliferous Pink 
 
 Mouse Ear 
 
 Field Marigold 
 
 Chickweed 
 
 Caroline Mallow 
 
 OPENS. 
 
 CLOSES. 
 
 a.iv 
 
 . 
 
 P.M 
 
 
 . 3 to 
 
 S • 
 
 9 to 
 
 10 
 
 • 4 „ 
 
 5 
 
 • 8„ 
 
 9 
 
 ■ 4 » 
 
 5 • 
 
 12 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 • s 
 
 
 7 „ 
 
 8 
 
 • 5 
 
 
 ■ 11 „ 
 
 12 
 
 5 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 • 5 „ 
 
 6 
 
 • 8 „ 
 
 9 
 
 ■ 5 ,, 
 
 6 
 
 4 „ 
 
 5 
 
 6„ 
 
 7 
 
 4 ,, 
 
 5 
 
 • 7 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 • 7 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 3 ., 
 
 4 
 
 7 „ 
 
 8 
 
 2 „ 
 
 3 
 
 . 8 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 • 9 „ 
 
 10 
 
 9 ,. 
 
 10 
 
 9 ,1 
 
 10 
 
 12 „ 
 
 1 
 
 BIRDS, 
 
 And the times at which they usually appear in the South of England. 
 
 Wryneck . . Middle of March. 
 
 Smallest Willow Wren ... . Latter end of March. 
 
 House Swallow . Middle of April. 
 
 Martin . . . „ 
 
 Sand Martin ... . ,, 
 
 Blackcap . „ 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 
 
 47 
 
 Nightingale 
 
 Cuckoo ... 
 
 Middle Willow Wren 
 
 Whitethroat . 
 
 Redstart . 
 
 Great Plover or Stone Curlew 
 
 Grasshopper Lark 
 
 Swift 
 
 Largest Willow Wren 
 Fern Owl . 
 Flycatcher 
 
 T. Forster's 
 
 Beginning of April. 
 Middle of April. 
 
 End of March. 
 . Middle of April. 
 Latter end of April. 
 End of April. 
 Latter end of May. 
 Middle of May. 
 
 ' Perennial Calendar. 
 
 Ring Ouzel 
 Redwing . 
 Fieldfare . 
 Royston Crow 
 Woodcock 
 
 WINTER BIRDS. 
 Times of their arrival. 
 
 Snipe .... 
 
 Jack Snipe 
 
 Pigeon or Stock Dove 
 
 Wood Pigeon or Ring Dove 
 
 Soon after Michaelmas. 
 
 Middle of October. 
 
 October and November. 
 
 October. 
 
 Keeps arriving all October and 
 
 November. 
 The same (some of them breed here). 
 
 M )J ,1 
 
 End of November (some abide here 
 
 all the year). 
 Some abide all the year; some arrive 
 
 in spring; others perform partial 
 
 migrations. 
 
 Forster's " Perennial Calendar. " 
 
 Sun, /Ifeoon, an& Stars. 
 
 The indications of coming weather presented by the sun, moon, etc., 
 come next in order, and they refer for the most part to the weather of the 
 day, or very soon after. The sun has ever been the first authority, and 
 has his various aspects, colours, and moods, each fitted with a real or 
 imaginary sequence of weather. His redness on rising or setting has 
 furnished the material for a dozen proverbs of various times and nations. 
 The moon, too, has always had her votaries as a weather witch, and even 
 now is not without a numerous staff of prophets ready to assert her 
 influence over the rain and clouds. One freqiccntly hears of the weather 
 altering at the " change of the moon!' but careful observers have been 
 unable to detect any real differences in the state of the air at such times. 
 A more extended observation, however, will do the subject no harm, and 
 may lead to the discovery of a law or the establishment of some rule on 
 
4 8 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 which reliance can be placed. The appearance of a halo round the moon 
 is regarded as an indication of wet weather, and from its relative position 
 gives some warning as to the time when the coming change may be expected. 
 
 Sun. 
 Red. 
 
 Beams. 
 
 Rays. 
 
 Clouds. 
 
 Heat. 
 
 [Sunrise.] 
 
 Morning. 
 Halo. 
 
 Concave. 
 
 Grey. 
 Clouds. 
 
 A red sun has water in his eye. 
 
 When solar rays are visible in the air, they indicate vapour 
 and rain to follow, and the sun is said to be " drawing water.'' 
 
 The pillars of light which are seen upright, and do commonly 
 shoot and vary, are signs of cold ; but both these are signs of 
 drought. — Bacon. 
 
 When the sun's rays are visible, the seamen say, '' The sun is 
 getting up his back stays, and it is time to look out for bad 
 weather." 
 
 The sun breaking out suddenly into bright sunshine through 
 an otherwise stormy sky is said to be making holes for the 
 wind to blow through. — Roper's " Weather Sayings.' - 
 
 The sun is noted to be hotter when it shineth forth between 
 clouds, than when the sky is open and serene. — Bacon. 
 
 The heat or beams of the sun doth take away the smell of 
 flowers, specially such as are of milder odour. — Bacon. 
 
 If rays precede the sunrise, it is a sign both of wind and rain. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 The morning sun never lasts the day. 
 
 If the rising sun be encompassed with an iris or circle of white 
 clouds, and they equally fly away, this is a sign of fair weather. 
 
 Pliny. 
 
 If the sun appear concave at its rising, the day will be 
 windy or showery,' — windy if the sun be only slightly concave, 
 and showery if the concavity is deep. — Bacon. 
 
 A grey sky in the morning presages fine weather. — Fitzroy. 
 
 If at sunrising the clouds are driven away, and retire, as it were, 
 to the west, this denotes fair weather. — Pliny. 
 
 If at sunrise small reddish-looking clouds are seen low on the 
 horizon, it must not always be considered to indicate rain. 
 The probability of rain under these circumstances will depend 
 on the character of the clouds and their height above the 
 horizon. I have frequently observed that if they extend io°, 
 rain will follow before sunset ; if 20° or 30°, rain will follow 
 before 2 or 3 p.m. ; but if still higher and near the zenith, 
 rain will fall within three hours. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 Clouds like globes at sunrise announce clear, sharp weather. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 
 
 49 
 
 Above the rest, the sun who never lies, [Sunrise.] 
 
 Foretells the change of weather in the skies ; 
 
 For if he rise unwilling to his race, 
 
 Clouds on his brow and spots upon his face, Clouds. 
 
 Or if through mists he shoot his sullen beams, 
 
 Frugal of light in loose and straggling streams, 
 
 Suspect a drizzling day and southern rain, 
 
 Fatal to fruits, and flocks, and promised grain. 
 
 Virgil's " Georgics," Book I., Line 438. 
 
 A high dawn indicates wind. A low dawn indicates fair Clear, etc. 
 
 weather. 
 [/Vote. — A high dawn is when the first indications of daylight 
 are seen over a bank of clouds ; a low dawn is when 
 the day breaks on or near the horizon, the first streaks 
 
 of light being very low down. — Fitzroy.] 
 
 « 
 
 Clouds collected near the sun at sunrise forebode a rough Cloudy. 
 storm that same day ; but if they are driven from the east and 
 pass away to the west, it will be fine. — Bacon. 
 
 If at sunrise the clouds about the sun disperse, some to the 
 north and some to the south, though the sky round the sun 
 itself is clear, it portends wind. — Bacon. 
 
 If the sky at sunrise is cloudy and the clouds soon disperse, 
 certain fine weather will follow. — Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 If Aurora, with half-open eyes, Gloomy. 
 
 And a pale, sickly cheek, salutes the skies 
 How shall the vine with tender leaves defend 
 Her teeming clusters when the storms descend ? 
 
 Virgil. 
 
 Storms are said to decrease at the rising or setting of the Stormy. 
 sun or moon. 
 
 A general mist before the sun rises near the full moon Misty. 
 presages fair weather. — Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 The sun pale and (as we call it) watery at its rising denotes Pale. 
 rain ; if it set pale, wind. — Bacon. 
 
 If at sunrise the sun emits rays from the clouds, the middle Rays. 
 of his disc being concealed therein, it indicates rain, especially 
 if these rays break out downwards, so as to make the sun 
 appear bearded. But if rays strike from the centre, or from 
 different parts of the sun, whilst the outer circle of his disc 
 is covered with clouds, there will be great storms both of 
 wind and rain. — Bacon. 
 
 A morning sun, a wine-bred child, 
 seldom end well. — G. Herbert. 
 
 and a Latin-bred woman Proverb. 
 
5o 
 
 Weathei' Lore. 
 
 [Sunrise,] 
 
 Sunny. 
 
 Cloudy. 
 
 Gaudy. 
 
 Red morn- 
 ing. 
 
 Dark clouds. 
 
 Red. 
 
 Ruddy. 
 [Sunset.] 
 
 A glaring, sunny morning never comes to a good end. 
 
 French. 
 If at sunrise the clouds do not appear to surround the sun, 
 but to press upon him from above, as if they were going to 
 eclipse him, a wind will arise from the quarter on which 
 the clouds incline. If this take place at noon, the wind will 
 be accompanied by rain. — Bacon. 
 
 A gaudy morning bodes a wet afternoon. 
 
 Or if Aurora tinge with glowing red 
 
 The clouds that float round Phcebus' rising head. 
 
 Farmer, rejoice ! for soon refreshing rains 
 
 Will fill the pools and quench the thirsty plains. 
 
 If ere his limbs he rear from ocean's bed 
 
 His foremost rays obscure and dark are spread 
 
 On th' horizon's edge, forewarned, take heed ; 
 
 These signs the rain or blustering wind precede. 
 
 J. Lamb's ''Aratus." 
 
 If the clouds at sunrise be red, there will be rain the following 
 
 day. 
 
 In the winter season, a red sky at sunrise foreshows steady 
 
 rain on the same day. The same sign in summer betokens 
 
 occasional violent showers, wind in both cases generally 
 
 accompanying. 
 
 A red morn, that ever yet betokened 
 Wreck to the seaman, tempest to the field, 
 Sorrow to shepherds, woe unto the birds, 
 Gust and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds. 
 
 Shakespeare. 
 If red the sun begin his race, 
 Be sure the rain will fall apace. 
 
 If the rays of the sun on rising are not yellow, but ruddy, it 
 denotes rain rather than wind. The same likewise holds 
 good of the setting. — Bacon. 
 
 But more than all the setting sun survey, 
 
 When down the steep of heaven he drives the day ; 
 
 For oft we find him finishing his race, 
 
 With various colours erring on his face. 
 
 If fiery red his glowing globe descends, 
 
 High winds and furious tempests he portends ; 
 
 But if his cheeks are swoln with livid blue, 
 
 He bodes wet weather by his watery hue ; 
 
 If dusky spots are varied on his brow, 
 
 And streaked with red a troubled colour show, 
 
 That sullen mixture shall at once declare 
 
 Winds, rain, and storms, and elemental war. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 
 
 5T 
 
 [Sunset.] 
 
 But if with purple rays he brings the light, 
 
 And a pure heaven resigns to quiet night. 
 
 No rising winds or falling storms are nigh. — Virgil. 
 
 A breeze usually springs up before sunset ; or if a gale is Breeze. 
 blowing, it generally subsides about that time. 
 
 Sun set in a clear, Clear. 
 
 Easterly wind's near; 
 Sun set in a bank, 
 Westerly will not lack. 
 
 St. Andrews, Scotland. 
 
 When the sun sets bright and clear, Bright. 
 
 An easterly wind you need not fear. 
 
 If the sun set with a very red eastern sky, expect wind ; if red Red 
 to the south-east, expect rain. 
 
 When Tottenham Wood is all on fire, 
 Then Tottenham Street is nought but mire. 
 
 Middlesex. 
 
 If the body of the sun appear blood red at setting, it forebodes 
 high winds for many days. — Bacon. 
 
 Red west at sunset, not extending far up the sky, and having 
 no thick bank of black clouds, will be followed by a fine day. 
 
 When after sunset the western sky is of a whitish yellow, Colours of. 
 and this tint extends a great height, it is probable that it will 
 rain during the night or the next day. Gaudy or unusual 
 hues, with hard, definitely outlined clouds, foretell rain, and 
 probably wind. If the sun before setting appears diffuse and 
 of a brilliant white, it foretells storm. If it sets in a sky 
 slightly purple, the atmosphere near the zenith being of a 
 bright blue, we may rely on fine weather. 
 
 If the sun in red should set, Rhyme. 
 
 The next day surely will be wet ; 
 If the sun should set in g'"ey, 
 The next will be a rainy day. 
 
 The weary sun hath made a golden set, Golden. 
 
 And by the bright track of his fiery car 
 Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Richard III." 
 
 When the sun sets of a golden yellow colour, with disc ill 
 defined, and rays extending 4° or 6°, a strong wind and 
 much vapour exist at a considerable elevation, and rain 
 usually occurs within twenty-four hours. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 A bright yellow sky at sunset presages wind ; a pale yellow, Yellow. 
 wet. — Fitzroy. 
 
5 = 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Sunset.] 
 Has v. 
 
 Pale. 
 
 Sad. 
 Cloudy. 
 
 Wet. 
 
 [Sunrise 
 and 
 
 Sunset.] 
 Red. 
 
 Sunrise full. 
 
 Sunset pale. 
 Cloudy. 
 
 When the air is hazy, so that the solar light fades gradually, 
 and looks white, rain will most certainly follow. 
 
 In summer time, when the sun at rising is obscured by a 
 mist which disperses about three hours afterwards, expect hot 
 and calm weather for two or three days. — C. L. Prince. 
 If the sun goes pale to bed, 
 'Twill rain to-morrow, it is said. 
 When the sun appears of a light pale colour, or goes down 
 into a bank of clouds, it indicates the approach or continuance 
 of bad weather. 
 When the sun sets sadly, the morning will be angry. 
 
 Zuni Indians. 
 Black or dark clouds arising at sunset prognosticate rain, — on 
 the same night, if they rise in the east opposite the sun ; if 
 close to the sun in the west, the next day, accompanied with 
 wind. — Bacon. 
 
 The sun setting behind a cloud forebodes rain the next day ; 
 but actual rain at sunset is rather a sign of wind. If the 
 clouds appear as if they were drawn towards the sun, it 
 denotes both wind and rain. — Bacon. 
 
 When the sun sets in a bank, 
 A westerly wind we shall not lack. 
 The sun setting after a fine day behind a heavy bank of 
 clouds, with a falling barometer, is generally indicative of rain 
 or snow, according to the season, either in the night or next 
 morning. In winter, if there has been frost, it is often followed 
 by thaw. Sometimes there will be a rise of temperature 
 only, no rain falling to any amount. — Jenyns. 
 The sun sets weeping in the lowly west, 
 Witnessing storms to come, woe and unrest. 
 
 Shakespeare's "Richard II." 
 
 The skie being red at evening, 
 
 Foreshewes a faire and cleare morning ; 
 
 But if the morning riseth red, 
 
 Of wind and raine we shall be sped. — A. Fleming. 
 
 Rose tints at sunset and grey dawn, a fine day to follow. 
 
 If Phcebus rising wide and broad appear, 
 And as he mounts contracts his ample sphere, 
 Propitious sign, no rain or tempest near. 
 Propitious, too, if after days of rain 
 With a pale face he seek the western main. 
 When through the day the angry welkin lowers, 
 Hid is the sun, and drenched the earth with showers. 
 Catch if thou canst his last departing ray, 
 And gain prognostics of the following day. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 
 
 53 
 
 If by black cloud eclipsed his orb is found 
 Shooting his scattered rays at random round, 
 Send not the traveller from thy roof away — 
 To-morrow shines no brighter than to-day. 
 If with clear face into his watery bed, 
 Curtained with crimson clouds around his head, 
 He sink, that night no rain or tempest fear ; 
 And morrow's sun will shine serene and clear. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather : for the sky 
 is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to-day : 
 for the sky is red and lowring. — Matthew xvi. 2, 3. 
 
 If when the sun begin his daily race, 
 Or ere he sink in ocean's cool embrace, 
 The rays that crown his head together bend, 
 And to one central point converging tend ; 
 Or if by circling clouds he is opprest, 
 Hanging about him as a vapoury vest ; 
 Or if before him mount a little cloud, 
 Veiling his rising beams in murky shroud, — ■ 
 By these forewarned within the house remain ; 
 Charged is the air with stores of pelting rain. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 [Sunrise and 
 Sunset.] 
 
 Sunset with 
 black cloud. 
 
 Sunset clear. 
 Crimson . 
 
 Sunrise or 
 Sunset. 
 
 Rays. 
 Clouds. 
 Little cloud. 
 
 An evening grey and a morning red 
 Will send the shepherd wet to bed. 
 
 Evening grey and morning red 
 Make the shepherd hang his head. 
 
 Evening red and morning grey, 
 Two sure signs of one fine day. 
 
 If the evening is red and the morning grey, 
 
 It is the sign of a bonnie day ; 
 
 If the evening's grey and the morning red, 
 
 The lamb and the ewe will go wet to bed. — Yarrow. 
 
 Sky red in the morning 
 Is a sailor's sure warning ; 
 Sky red at night 
 Is the sailor's delight. 
 
 A red evening and a grey morning set the pilgrim a-vvalking. 
 
 Italy. 
 
 Grey and 
 Red. 
 
 An evening red and morning grey make the pilgrim sing. 
 
 France. 
 
5 A 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Sunrise 
 and Sunset"] 
 Grey and 
 Red. 
 
 Evening red and morning grey 
 Help the traveller on his way ; 
 Evening grey and morning red 
 Bring down rain upon his head. 
 
 The evening red and the morning grey 
 Is the sign of a bright arid cheery day ; 
 The evening grey and the morning red, 
 Put on your hat, or you : Jl wet your head. — Scotland. 
 
 If either on rising or setting the sun's rays appear shortened 
 or contracted, and do not shine out bright, though there are no 
 clouds, it denotes rain rather than wind. — Bacon. 
 
 If the sun on rising or setting cast a lurid red light on the sky 
 as far as the zenith, it is a sure sign of storms and gales of 
 wind. 
 
 When clouds are tinged on their upper edge of a pink or 
 copper colour, and situated to the eastward at sunset, or to 
 the westward at sunrise, expec wind and rain in about forty- 
 eight hours — seldom much carh'er. — C. L. Pkince. 
 
 Next mark the features of the God of Day ; 
 Most certain signs to mortals they convey, 
 When fresh he breaks the portals of the east, 
 And when his wearied coursers sink to rest. 
 If bright he rise, from speck and tarnish clear, 
 Throughout the day no rain or tempest fear. 
 If cloudless his full orb descend at night, 
 To-morrow's sun will rise and shine as bright. 
 But if returning to the eastern sky, 
 A hollow blackness on his centre lie ; 
 Or north and south his lengthened beams extend, — 
 These signs a stormy wind or rain portend. 
 Observe if shorn of circling rays his head, 
 And o'er his face a veil of redness spread ; 
 For * o'er the plains the God of Winds will sweep, 
 Lashing the troubled bosom of the deep. 
 If in a shroud of blackness he appear, 
 Forewarned, take heed — a drenching rain is near. 
 If black and red their tints together blend, 
 And to his face a murky purple lend, 
 Soon will the wolfish wind tempestuous howl, 
 And the big cloud along the welkin roll. 
 And weather foul expect, when thou canst trace 
 Halo solar. A baleful halo circling Phoebus' face 
 
 Of murky darkness, and approaching near : 
 Double halo. If of two circles, fouler weather fear. 
 
 Dull. 
 
 Lurid. 
 
 Cloudy. 
 
 Sun. 
 
 Sunrise 
 bright. 
 
 Sunset 
 cloudless. 
 
 Sunrise, 
 dark cloud. 
 Sunbeams 
 north and 
 south. 
 Without 
 rays visible. 
 Red. 
 
 Dark. 
 
 Black and 
 red {purple). 
 
 * Qy. Far? 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 55 
 
 Mark when from eastern wave his rays emerge, {Sunrise 
 
 And ere he quench them in the western surge, andSunsel.] 
 
 If near th' horizon ruddy clouds arise, Red clouds 
 
 Mocking the solar orb in form and size : round. 
 
 If two such satellites the sun attend, Double 
 
 Soon will impetuous rain from heaven descend : round red 
 If one, and north, the northern wind prevails ; 
 If one, and south, expect the southern gales. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 Mock suns predict a more or less certain change of weather. Mock suns. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 When the sun is in his house [halo], it will rain soon. Solar halo. 
 
 Zuni Indians. 
 
 If there be a ring or halo around the sun in bad weather, 
 expect fine weather soon. 
 
 A bright circle round the sun denotes a storm and cooler 
 weather. 
 
 A white ring round the sun towards sunset portends a slight 
 gale that same night ; but if the ring be dark or tawny, there 
 will be a high wind the next day. — Bacon. 
 
 If there be a circle round the sun at rising, expect wind from 
 the quarter where the circle first begins to break ; but if the 
 whole circle disperses evenly, there will be fine weather. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 If the sun or moon outshines the "brugh" (or halo), bad 
 weather will not come. 
 
 The circle of the moon never filled a pond ; the circle of the 
 sun wets a shepherd. 
 
 The bigger the ring, the nearer the wet. 
 
 Dog * before, 
 You'll have no more ; 
 Dog behind, 
 Soon you'll find. 
 
 Eclipse weather is a popular term in the south of England Eclipse. 
 for the weather following an eclipse of the sun or moon, 
 and it is vulgarly esteemed tempestuous and not to be 
 depended on by the Irasbandman. 
 
 The hurricane eclipse of the sun. — Campbell. 
 
 Eclipses of the moon are generally attended by winds, eclipses 
 of the sun by fair weather, but neither of them are often 
 accompanied by rain. — Bacon. 
 
 * Sun dog or halo.— Shetland nnd Scotland generally. 
 
56 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Moon. Each sign observe — more sure when two agree ; 
 
 Signs. Nor doubt th' event foretold by omens three. 
 
 Note well the events of the preceding year, 
 
 And with the rising and the setting stars compare. 
 
 But chiefly look to Cynthia's varying face ; 
 
 There surest signs of coming weather trace. 
 Obscured. Observe when twice four days she veils her light, 
 
 Nor cheers with silvery ray the dreary night. 
 
 Mark these prognostics through the circling year, 
 
 And wisely for the rain, the wind, the storm, prepare. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 Halo. A halo oft fair Cynthia's face surrounds, 
 
 With single, double, or with triple bounds : 
 
 Single. If with one ring, and broken it appear, 
 
 Sailors, beware ! the driving gale is near. 
 
 Unbroken. Unbroken if it vanisheth away — 
 
 Serene the air, and smooth the tranquil sea. 
 
 Double. The double halo boisterous weather brings, 
 
 Triple. And furious tempests follow triple rings. 
 
 These signs from Cynthia's varying orb arise — 
 Forewarn the prudent, and direct the wise. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 Halo. Far burr, near rain. — Nautical. 
 
 [Note. — The farther the "burr" or halo appears from the 
 moon, the nearer at hand is the coming rain.] 
 
 Circle* near, water far ; 
 Circle far, water near. — Italy. 
 
 A far brugh, a near storm. — Scotch. 
 [Meaning, a distant halo round the moon, a storm near at 
 hand.] 
 
 When round the moon there is a brugh [halo], 
 The weather will be cold and rough. — Scotland. 
 
 When the wheel is far, the storm is n'ar ; 
 When the wheel is near, the storm is far. 
 
 The moon with a circle brings water in her beak. 
 
 The moon, if in house be, cloud it will, rain soon will come. 
 
 ZuSi Indians. 
 
 Haloes round the moon, a blood-red sunset, a red moon on 
 her fourth rising, . . prognostics of winds. — Bacon. 
 The open side of the halo tells the quarter from which the 
 wind or rain may be expected. 
 
 Halo round moon. 
 
Sitn, Jlfoon, and Stars. 
 
 57 
 
 Circles round the moon always foretell wind from the side 
 where they break, and a remarkable brilliancy in any part 
 of the circle denotes wind from that quarter. — Bacon. 
 Double or treble circles round the moon foreshadow rough 
 and severe storms, and much more so if these circles are not 
 pure and entire, but spotted and broken. — Bacon. 
 A circle or halo round the moon signifies rain rather than 
 wind, unless the moon stand erect within the ring, when both 
 are portended. — Bacon. 
 
 For I fear a hurricane ; 
 
 Last night the moon had a golden ring, 
 
 And to-night no moon we see. 
 
 Longfellow's "Wreck of the Hesperus." 
 Haloes predict a storm (rain and wind, or snow and wind) at 
 no great distance, and the open side of the halo tells the 
 quarter from which it may be expected. — Scotland. 
 
 If three days old her face be bright and clear, 
 
 No rain or stormy gale the sailors fear ; 
 
 But if she rise with bright and blushing cheek, 
 
 The blustering winds the bending mast will shake. 
 
 If dull her face and blunt her horns appear 
 
 On the fourth day, a breeze or rain is near. 
 
 If on the third she move with horns direct, 
 
 Not pointing downward or to heaven erect, 
 
 The western wind expect ; and drenching rain, 
 
 If on the fourth her horns direct remain. 
 
 If to the earth her upper horn she bend, 
 
 Cold Boreas from the north his blast will send ; 
 
 If upward she extend it to the sky, 
 
 Loud Notus with his blustering gale is nigh. 
 
 When the fourth day around her orb is spread 
 
 A circling ring of deep and murky red, 
 
 Soon from his cave the God of Storms will rise, 
 
 Dashing with foamy waves the lowering skies. 
 
 And when fair Cynthia her full orb displays, 
 
 Or when unveiled to sight are half her rays, 
 
 Then mark the various hues that paint her face, 
 
 And thus the fickle weather's changes trace. 
 
 If smile her pearly face benign and fair, 
 
 Calm and serene will breathe the balmy air ; 
 
 If with deep blush her maiden cheek be red, 
 
 Then boisterous wind the cautious sailors dread ; 
 
 If sullen blackness hang upon her brow, 
 
 From clouds as black will rainy torrents flow. 
 
 Not through the month their power these signs extend, 
 
 But all their influence with the quarter end. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 [Moon.] 
 Haloes, 
 
 Moon three 
 days old. 
 
 Bright. 
 
 Dull. 
 
 Fourth day. 
 Third day. 
 Moon ' on 
 her back." 
 
 Horns 
 inclined. 
 
 Halo. 
 
 Moon. 
 
 Half-moon. 
 
 Colours. 
 
 Bright. 
 
 Rosy. 
 
 Black. 
 
Weather Lore. 
 
 [Moon.~\ 
 
 Moonlight. 
 
 Clear. 
 
 Large. 
 
 Red, dim. 
 or pale. 
 Dim. 
 
 Ruddy. 
 Red. 
 
 Pale or red. 
 
 Watery. 
 
 InJlueMe. 
 Rhyme. 
 
 Great or 
 small. 
 
 Fog. 
 
 Way to 
 ■wane. 
 
 Changes. 
 
 Moonlight nights have the hardest frosts. 
 
 Clear moon, 
 
 Frost soon. — Scotland. 
 The moon appearing larger at sunset, and not dim, but 
 luminous, portends fair weather for several days. — Bacon. 
 
 A dim or pale moon indicates rain ; a red moon indicates wind. 
 
 When the moon has a white look, or when her outline is 
 not very clear, rain or snow is looked for. — Scotland. 
 
 If on her cheeks you see the maiden's blush, 
 
 The ruddy moon foreshows that winds will rush. — Virgil. 
 
 The moon, her face if red be, 
 
 Of water speaks she. — Zuni Indians. 
 
 Pale moon doth rain, 
 
 Red moon doth blow, 
 
 White moon doth neither rain nor snow. 
 
 From the Latin Proverb (Clarke, 1639). 
 When the moon is darkest near the horizon, expect rain. 
 The moon, methinks, looks with a watery eye. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Midsummer Night's Dream." 
 
 The labourer who believes in the influence of the moon will 
 not fill his granary. — Haute Loire. 
 
 The moon and the weather 
 
 May change together ; 
 But change of the moon 
 
 Does not change the weather. 
 If we'd no moon at all, 
 
 And that may seem strange, 
 We still should have weather 
 
 That's subject to change. 
 " Notes and Queries," September 23RD, 1882. 
 
 Moon changed, keeps closet three days as a queen 
 
 Ere she in her prime will of any be seen : 
 
 If great she appeareth, it showereth out ; 
 
 If small she appeareth, it signifies drought. — Tusser. 
 
 A fog and a small moon 
 
 Bring an easterly wind soon. — Cornwall. 
 
 The three days of the change of the moon from the way to 
 the wane we get no rain. — United States. 
 
 If the moon changes with the wind in the east, the weather 
 during that moon will be foul. 
 
 Five changes of the moon in one calendar month indicate 
 cooler weather. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 59 
 
 When changes of the moon occur in the morning, expect rain. [Moon.] 
 
 Changes. 
 Moon changing in morning indicates warm weather ; in the 
 evening, cold weather. 
 
 If the moon is rainy throughout, it will be clear at the 
 change, and perhaps the rain will return a few days after. 
 
 If the moon change on a Sunday, there will be a flood before 
 the montn is out. — Worcestershire. 
 
 A Saturday moon, 
 
 If it comes once in seven years, comes once too soon. 
 
 Saturday's moon and Sunday's prime 
 
 Ance is aneugh in seven years' lime. — Scotland. 
 
 Saturday's change and Sunday's full 
 
 Never brought good and i-ever wul!. — Norfolk. 
 
 A Saturday's change and a Sunday s full moon 
 Orre in seven years is once too soon. 
 
 A Saturday's change and a Sundays foil 
 Comes too boon whene'er it wull. — Dorset. 
 
 A few days ax'ler full or new moon, changes of weather are 
 thought more propable than at any other time. — Scotland. 
 
 In the decay of the moon Waning. 
 
 A cloudy morning bodeT a fair afternoon. 
 
 Sowe peason and beans in the wane of the moone ; 
 Who soweih them sooner, he soweth too coone. 
 
 Tusser. 
 
 Mr. E. J. Lowe found that a red moonrise was fo'iowed seven Moonrise 
 times out of eight by rain. There were, only eight observations. red - 
 
 When the moon r.ses red and appears large, with clouds, 
 expect rain in twelve hours. 
 
 If she rises red, it portends wind ; it reddish or dark- 
 coloured, rain ; but neither of these portend anything beyond 
 the full. — Bacon. 
 
 If the full moon rise pale, expect rain. Pale rise. 
 
 When the moon runs low, expect warm weather. Low. 
 
 When the moon runs high, expect cool or cold weather. High. 
 
 If the moon be fair tbiou^hout and rain at the close, the fair Fair. 
 weather will probably return on the fourih or fifth day. 
 
 If the moon is seen between the scud and broken clouds Gale moon. 
 during a gale, it is expected to cuff away the bad weather. 
 
 A dry moon is far north and soon seen. Dry. 
 
6o 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Moon.] 
 Dry. 
 
 Pale. 
 
 Seen in day. 
 Frost. 
 Rain moon. 
 
 Moon new. 
 
 Stormy wet 
 weather. 
 
 The farther the moon is to the south, the greater the drought ; 
 the farther west, the greater the flood, and the farther north- 
 west, the greater the cold. 
 
 Therefore the moon, the governess of floods, 
 Pale in her anger, washes all the air, 
 That rheumatic diseases do abound. 
 Shakespeare's " Midsummer Night's Dream." 
 
 When the moon is visible in the daytime, the days are 
 relatively cool. 
 
 Frost occurring in the dark of the moon kills fruit buds and 
 blossoms, but frost in the light of the moon will not. 
 
 Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, in one of his walks 
 advised his disciples to provide themselves with umbrellas, 
 since, though the sky was perfectly fair, it would soon rain. 
 This happened, and the sage said it was because he had read 
 a verse of the She King to the effect that, when the moon 
 rises in the constellation^, great rain may be expected. 
 
 Chambers' Miscellany. 
 
 If at her birth, or within the first few days, the lower horn of 
 the moon appear obscure, dark, or any way discoloured, there 
 will be foul and stormy weather before the full. If she be 
 discoloured in the middle, it will be stormy about the full ; 
 but if the upper horn is thus affected, about the wane. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 If the new moon appear with the points of the crescent turned 
 up, the month will be dry. If the points are turned down, it 
 will be wet. 
 
 [Note. — About one-third of the sailors believe in the direct 
 opposite of the above. The belief is explained as 
 follows: — Firstly, if the crescent will hold water, the 
 month will be dry ; if not, it will be wet. Secondly, 
 if the Indian hunter could hang his powder-horn on 
 the crescent, he did so, and stayed at home, because 
 he knew that the woods would be too dry to still hunt. 
 If he could not hang his powder-horn upon the crescent, 
 he put it on his shoulder and went hunting, because he 
 knew that the woods would be wet, and that he could 
 stalk game noiselessly. — Major Dunwoody, U.S.] 
 
 If there be a change from continued stormy or wet to clear 
 and dry weather at the time of a new or full moon, it will 
 probably remain fine till the following quarter ; and if it changes 
 not then, or only for a short time, it usually lasts until the 
 following new or full moon ; and if it does not change then, 
 or only for a very short time, it will probably remain fine and 
 dry for four or five weeks. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 
 
 61 
 
 If the new moon, first quarter, full moon, or last quarter, occur [Moon.] 
 between the following hours, the weather here stated is said Phases. 
 to follow : — 
 
 In summer between — 
 
 12 and 2 a.m. Fair. 
 
 2 and 4 a.m. Cold and showers. 
 
 4 and 6 a.m. Rain. 
 
 Wind and rain. 
 . Changeable, 
 a.m. Frequent 
 
 6 and 8 a.m. 
 8 and 10 a.m 
 io and 12 
 
 showers. 
 12 and 2 p.m. 
 
 Very rainy. 
 
 In winter between — 
 
 12 and 2 a.m. Frost, unless 
 
 wind S.W. 
 2 and 4 a.m. Snow and stormy. 
 4 and 6 a.m. Rain. 
 6 and 8 a.m. Stormy. 
 8 and 10 a.m. Cold rain, if 
 
 wind W. 
 io and 12 a.m. Cold and high 
 
 wind. 
 
 2 and 4 p.m. 
 4 and 6 p.m. 
 
 Changeable. 
 Fair. 
 
 6 and 8 p.m. 
 
 N.W. 
 8 and 10 p.m. 
 
 S. or S.W. 
 io and 12 p.m. 
 
 Fair, if wind 
 
 Rainy, if wind 
 
 Fair. 
 
 12 and 2 p.m. Snow and rain. 
 2 and 4 p.m. Fair and mild. 
 4 and 6 p.m. Fair. 
 6 and 8 p.m. Fair and frosty, 
 
 if wind N.E or N. 
 8 and IO p.m. Rain or snow, 
 
 if wind S. or S.W. 
 10 and 12 p.m. Fair and frosty. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Horns sharp 
 or dull. 
 
 As many days from the first new moon, so many times will Thaws. 
 it thaw during winter. 
 
 If the new moon is far north, it will be cold for two weeks ; North and 
 but if far south, it will be warm. south. 
 
 New moon far in north, in summer, cool weather, in winter, New. 
 cold. 
 
 New moon far in the south indicates dry weather for a month. 
 
 A new moon with sharp horns threatens windy weather. 
 
 When Luna first her scattered fear recalls, 
 If with blunt horns she holds the dusky air, 
 Seamen and swains predict abundant showers. 
 
 Virgil. 
 
 If one horn of the moon is sharp and pointed, the other being 
 more blunt, it rather indicates wind ; but if both are so, it 
 denotes rain. — Bacon. 
 
 Sharp horns do threaten windy weather. 
 
 Old Play quoted by Swainson. 
 
 In winter, when the moon's horns are sharp and well defined, 
 frost is expected. — Scotland. 
 
62 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Moon. 
 New. 
 
 back. 
 
 If the points of a new moon are up, then, as a rule, no rain 
 will fall that quarter of the moon ; a dull, pale moon, dry, 
 with halo, indicates poor crops. In the planting season no 
 grain must be planted when halo is around the moon. 
 
 Apache Indians. 
 Bright. a uniform brightness in the sky at the new moon, or the 
 
 fourth rising, presages fair weather for many days. If the 
 sky is uniformly overcast, it denotes rain. If irregularly over- 
 cast, wind from the quarter where it is overcast. But if it 
 suddenly becomes overcast without cloud or fog, so as to dull 
 the brightness of the stars, rough and serious storms are 
 imminent. — Bacon. 
 
 Erect. An erect moon is almost always threatening and unfavourable, 
 
 but principally denotes wind. If, however, she appear with 
 blunt or shortened horns, it is rather a sign of rain. — Bacon. 
 
 Moon on her People speak of the new moon lying on her back or being ill- 
 made as a prognostic of wet weather. 
 
 New moon on its back indicates wind ; standing on its point 
 indicates rain in summer and snow in winter. 
 
 Dr. John Menual. 
 
 The bonnie moon is on her back ; 
 
 Mend your shoes and sort your thack [thatch]. 
 
 If the moon is on its back in the third quarter, it is a sign of 
 rain. 
 
 When the moon lies on her back, 
 Then the sou'-west wind will crack ; 
 When she rises up and nods, 
 Then north-easters diy the sods. 
 
 Reviewer in " Symons' Meteorological 
 Magazine," September 1867. 
 
 When the new moon lies on her back, 
 
 She sucks the wet into her lap. — Ellesmere. 
 
 It is sure to be a dry moon if it lies on its back, so that you 
 can hang your hat on its horns. — Welsh Border. 
 
 When first the moon appears, if then she shrouds 
 
 Her silver crescent tipped with sable clouds, 
 
 Conclude she bodes a tempest on the main, 
 
 And brews for fields impetuous floods of rain ; 
 
 Or if her face with fiery flushings glow, 
 
 Expect the rattling winds aloft to blow ; 
 
 But four nights old (for that's the surest sign) 
 
 With sharpened horns, if glorious then she shine, 
 
 Next day, nor only that, but all the moon, 
 
 Till her revolving race be wholly run, 
 
 Are void of temptests both by land and sea. — Virgil. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 
 
 63 
 
 If a snowstorm begins when the moon is young, it will [Moon.] 
 cease at moonrise. Snowstorm. 
 
 If mists in the new moon, rain in the old ; 
 If mists in the old moon, rain in the new. 
 
 Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 Misty. 
 
 From the first, second, and third days of the new moon nothing Change of. 
 is to be predicted ; on the fourth there is some indication ; but 
 from the character of the fifth and sixth days the weather of 
 the whole month may be predicted. 
 
 Marshal Bdrgand's Motto. 
 
 If the new moon is not visible before the fourth day, the air Fourth day. 
 will be unsettled for the whole month. — Bacon. 
 
 If on her fourth day the moon is clear, with her horns sharp, 
 not lying entirely flat, nor standing quite upright, but some- 
 thing between the two, there is a promise mostly of fair 
 weather till the next new moon. — Bacon. 
 
 The prime or fourth day after the change of the moon doth 
 most commonly determine the force and direction of the wind. 
 
 Pliny. 
 
 The dispositions of the air are shown by the new moon, 
 though still more on the fourth rising, as if her newness were 
 then confirmed. But the full moon itself is a better prognostic 
 than any of the days which succeed it. — Bacon. 
 
 As is the fourth and fifth day's weather, 
 
 So's that lunation altogether. — From the Latin. 
 
 From long observation, sailors suspect storms on the fifth Fifth day. 
 day of the moon. — Bacon. 
 
 The weather remains the same during the whole moon : — 
 
 I. [Eleven times out of twelve] as it is on the fifth day, if 
 it continues unchanged over the sixth day. 
 
 II. [Nine times out of twelve] as it is on the fourth day, 
 if the sixth day resembles the fourth. 
 
 French — "Guardian," September 2nd, 1868. 
 
 If the weather on the sixth day is the same as that of the Sixth day. 
 fourth day of the moon, the same weather will continue during 
 the whole moon. — Spanish. 
 
 [Said to be correct nine times out of twelve.] 
 
 Late, late yestreen I saw the new moon 
 With the old moon in her arms ; 
 And I fear, I fear, my master dear, 
 We shall have a deadly storm. 
 
 Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens. 
 
 Dark part 
 visibte. 
 
64 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Moon,] To see the old moon in the arms of the new one is reckoned 
 
 '-^ a sign of fine weather, and so is the turning up of the horns 
 
 of the new moon. — Suffolk. 
 [In this position it is supposed to retain the water which is 
 imagined to be in it. — Note by Swainson.] 
 
 To see the old moon in the arms of the new one is a sign of 
 bad weather to come. 
 
 Full. Two full moons in a calendar month bring on a flood. 
 
 Bedfordshire. 
 
 The full moon eats clouds. — Nautical. 
 
 The moon grows fat on clouds. 
 [Note. — The two last proverbs have arisen from a supposed 
 clearance of clouds which is said to take place when 
 the full moon rises. Close observation has, however, 
 proved this to be an illusion.] 
 
 The weather is generally clearer at the full than at the other 
 ages of the moon ; but in winter the frost then is sometimes 
 more intense. — Bacon. 
 
 Full moons, with regard to colours and haloes, have, perhaps, 
 the same prognostics as the fourth risings ; but the fulfilment 
 is more immediate, and not so long deferred. — Bacon. 
 
 Acosta observes that in Peru, which is a bery windy country, 
 there is most wind at the full moon. — Bacon. 
 
 [Note. — There is no special prevalence of wind in Peru 
 that I ever experienced. — R. I.] 
 
 In Western Kansas it is said that when the moon is near full 
 
 it never storms. 
 
 When there are two full moons in one month, there are sure 
 
 to be large floods. 
 
 Near full moon, a misty sunrise 
 Bodes fair weather and cloudless skies. 
 
 If the full moon rise red, expect wind. 
 The full moon brings fine weather. 
 April moon. If from April 25th to 28th the full moon come with serene 
 nights and no wind (at which times the dew commonly falls 
 in great plenty), the ancients, from long experience, held it 
 certain that the crops of grain would suffer. 
 
 Plautus' " Ephemerides," etc., Edition of 1556. 
 
 Clear. If the moon show a silver shield, 
 
 Be not afraid to reap your field ; 
 But if she rises haloed round, 
 Soon we'll tread on deluged ground. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 65 
 
 If there be a general mist before sunrise near the full of the [Moon.] 
 moon, the weather will be fine for some days. < ~ >lc *- 
 
 Threatening clouds, without rain, in old moon, indicate drought. c / ouc / s 
 
 Auld moon mist Mist. 
 
 Ne'er died of thirst. 
 
 An old moon in a mist 
 Is worth gold in a kist [chest] ; 
 , But a new moon's mist 
 
 Will ne'er lack thirst. 
 
 The obscuring of the smaller stars in a clear night is a sign of Stars. 
 rain. — Wing's " Ephemeris," 1649. 
 
 When the stars begin to huddle, Huddling or 
 
 The earth will soon become a puddle. mistiness. 
 
 Before the rising of a wind the lesser stars are not visible Wind. 
 even on a clear night. — From Pliny, xviii. 80. 
 
 The stars twinkle; we cry " Wind." — Malta. 
 
 Excessive twinkling of stars indicates heavy dews, rain, and Twinkling. 
 snow, or stormy weather in the near future. 
 
 When stars flicker in a dark background, rain or snow follows 
 soon. 
 
 When the sky seems very full of stars, expect rain, or, in Sky full of 
 winter, frost. stars. 
 
 The prudent mariner oft marks afar Arcinrus. 
 
 The coming tempest by Bootes' star. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus.'' 
 
 A star dogging the moon (which is a rustic expression for a Superstitions 
 
 planet being for many nights persistently near the moon) respecting 
 
 foretells bad weather. the sta >' s 
 
 near the 
 
 If a big star is dogging the moon, wild weather may be expected. " ,oon - 
 
 One star ahead of the moon, towing her, and another astern, 
 chasing her, is a sure sign of a storm. — Lancashire. 
 
 Moon in a circle indicates storm, and number of stars in circle Stars in 
 the number of days before storm. moon's halo. 
 
 An entire circle round any planet or larger star forebodes Halo. 
 rain ; if the circle be broken, there will be wind from the 
 quarter where it breaks. — Bacon. 
 
 If the Pleiades rise fine they set rainy, and if they rise wet Pleiades. 
 they set fine. — Swahili Proverb. 
 
 Rains and showers follow upon the rising of the Pleiades and Pleiades and 
 Hyades, but without wind ; storms upon the rising of Orion Hyades. 
 and Arcturus. — Bacon. 
 
 5 
 
66 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Stars.] And when with deep-charged clouds the air's opprest, 
 
 Nebula. Phatne, the spot that shines on Cancer's breast, 
 
 Phatne. Attentive mark : if bright the spot appear, 
 
 Soon Phoebus smiles with face serene and clear, 
 Nor the returning rain and tempest fear. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 If the cloud (nebula) called Prcesepe, or the manger, standing 
 betwixt the Aselli,* do not appear when the air ^s serene 
 and clear, it foreshows foul, cold, and winterly weather. If 
 the northermost of these stars be hid, great winds from the 
 south ; but the other being hid, north-east winds. 
 
 Wing's " Ephemeris," 1649. 
 
 Stars dim. When small stars, like those called Aselli, are not visible in 
 any part of the sky, there will be great storms and rains within 
 a few days ; but if these stars are only obscured in places, 
 and are bright elsewhere, they denote winds only, but sooner. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 Cancer. 
 
 Nebula. 
 
 Onoi 
 or Aselli. 
 
 Now mark where high upon the zodiac line 
 
 The stars of lustre-lacking Cancer shine. 
 
 Near to the constellation's southern bound 
 
 Phatne, a nebulous bright spot, is found. 
 
 On either side this cloud, nor distant far, 
 
 Glitters to north and south a little star. 
 
 Though not conspicuous, yet these two are famed — 
 
 The Onoi by ancient sages named. 
 
 If when the sky around be bright and clear, 
 
 Sudden from sight the Phatne disappear, 
 
 And the two Onoi north and south are seen 
 
 Ready to meet — no obstacle between — 
 
 The welkin soon will blacken with the rain, 
 
 And torrents rush along the thirsty plain. 
 
 If black the Phatne, and the Onoi clear, 
 
 Sure sign again that drenching showers are near. 
 
 And if the northern star be lost to sight, 
 
 While still the southern glitters fair and bright, 
 
 Notus will blow. But if the southern fail, 
 
 And clear the northern, Boreas will prevail. 
 
 And as the skies above, the waves below 
 
 Signs of the rising wind and tempest show. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 ; Two stars in Cancer. 
 
Sun, Moon, and Stars. 67 
 
 When the bright gems that night's black vault adorn [Stars.] 
 But faintly shine — of half their radiance shorn — Fading. 
 
 And not by cloud obscured or dimmed to sight 
 By the fine silvery veil of Cynthia's light, 
 But of themselves appear to faint away, 
 They warning give of a tempestuous day. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 The edge of the Milky Way which is brightest indicates the Milky Way. 
 direction from which an approaching storm will come. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Wind must be expected both before and after the conjunctions Planets' con- 
 of all the other planets with one another, except the sun ; but junctions. 
 fair weather from their conjunctions with the sun. — Bacon. 
 
 Comets are said to bring cold weather. Comets. 
 
 Comets are said to improve the grape crop ; and wine pro- Wine. 
 duced in years when comets appear is called " comet wine.'' 
 
 French. 
 
 All comets evidence the approach of some calamity, such as Omens. 
 drought, famine, war, floods, etc. — Apache Indians. 
 
 No grateful sight to husbandmen appear 
 One or more comets, with their blazing hair — 
 Forerunners of a parched and barren year. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 If many meteors in summer, expect thunder. Meteors. 
 
 Many meteors presage much snow next winter. 
 
 If meteors shoot toward the north, expect a north wind next Numerous. 
 day. Many shooting stars on summer nights indicate hot 
 weather ; in winter, a thaw. 
 
 After an unusual fall of meteors, dry weather is expected. 
 
 Mark when athwart the ebon vault of night 
 The meteors shoot their flash of vivid light — 
 From that same quarter will the wind arise, 
 And in like manner rush along the skies. 
 If numerous and from various points they blaze, 
 Darting across each other's paths their rays, 
 From various points conflicting winds will sweep 
 In whirlwind fury o'er the troubled deep. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 Numerous falling stars presage wind next day.— Scotland. 
 
 Professor Erman, of Berlin, ascribes the spell of cold usually Streams. 
 felt about May ioth, and also about August loth, November 
 13th, and between February 5th and nth, to the meteor 
 streams which the earth's orbit crosses at these times. 
 
68 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Meteors.] 
 
 Aurora. 
 
 Bright. 
 Storm. 
 
 Change. 
 
 St. Elmo's 
 fire. 
 
 Shooting stars, as they are termed, foretell immediate winds 
 from the quarter whence they shoot. But if they shoot from 
 different or contrary quarters, there will be great storms both 
 of wind and rain. — Bacon. 
 
 If an aurora appear during warm weather, cold and cloudy 
 weather is to follow. — Scotland. 
 
 The aurora, when very bright, indicates approaching storm. 
 
 The first great aurora, after a long tract of fine weather in 
 September or beginning of October, is followed on the 
 second day, and not till the second day about one o'clock, 
 on the east coast, and about eleven o'clock in Nithsdale, by 
 a great storm ; the next day after the aurora is fine weather. 
 Professor Christison (Scotland). 
 
 The aurora borealis indicates approaching change. 
 
 The ball of fire, called Castor by the ancients, that appears 
 at sea, if it be single, prognosticates a severe storm, which 
 will be much more severe if the ball does not adhere to the 
 mast, but rolls or dances about. But if there are two of 
 them, and that, too, when the storm has increased, it is 
 reckoned a good sign. But if there are three of them, the 
 storm will become more fearful. — Bacon, from Pliny, ii. 37. 
 
 Last night I saw St. Elmo's stars, 
 
 With their glimmering lanterns all at play, 
 
 On the tops of the masts and the tips of the spars, 
 And I knew we should have foul weather that day. 
 [Also called Cuerpo Santo, Corposant, and Pey's Aunt by 
 the fishermen.] 
 
 Wind. 
 
 Mfn&. 
 
 A mass of weather wisdom has accumulated respecting the wind. It is 
 generally more of a descriptive than of a prophetic character, but will se? ve 
 to indicate to the acute observer of nature the kind of weather to expect 
 when ever so small a change takes place tn the direction or force of the 
 wind. 
 
 There is more sea to the south and more land to the north, 
 which likewise has no slight influence upon the winds. 
 
 Bacon. 
 Every wind has its weather. — Bacon. 
 
 Lord Rutherford and Lord Cockburn were once rambling 
 on the Pentland Hills, and they complained to an old 
 shepherd whom they met of the keenness of the wind. He 
 could find no fault with it ; and on their asking him why he 
 approved of it, he replied, " Weel, it dries the yird [soil], 
 it slockens [refreshes"! the ewes, and it's God's wull." 
 
 Governing 
 weather. 
 
 Uses. 
 
Wind. 
 
 69 
 
 [IVind.] 
 Quiet. 
 
 Bringing 
 weather. 
 
 Swift. 
 
 No weather is ill, 
 If the wind be still. 
 
 Look not, like the Dutchman, to leeward for fine weather. 
 
 Blow the wind never so fast, 
 It will fall at last.— T. Fuller. 
 
 Sudden gusts never come in a clear sky, but only when it Sudden 
 is cloudy and with rain. — Bacon. gusts. 
 
 Strong winds are more uniform and regular than light breezes. Strong. 
 
 Fitzroy. 
 
 When a steady breeze of wind has continued to blow for 
 any length of time, with a clear sky, or small clouds high in 
 the atmosphere, the waves are generally regular and smooth, 
 gliding in the direction of the wind, particularly when there 
 is no current. At such times, if a dense cloud is generated, 
 and is low in the atmosphere when passing over the 
 observer, the strength of the regular breeze is decreased, 
 and the waves appear to be agitated by the cloud whilst it 
 passes over them, their summits being more elevated and 
 turbulent. But no sooner has the dense cloud passed the 
 zenith of the observer, than the breeze resumes its former 
 strength, and the waves glide along as smooth as before. 
 
 Nicholson's Journal. 
 
 Wind, 
 clouds, and 
 waves. 
 
 fair weather may be Increasing. 
 
 If the wind increases during a rain, 
 expected soon. 
 
 The smaller and lighter winds generally rise in the morning Rise and 
 and fall at sunset. — Bacon. f al1 - 
 
 The winds of the daytime wrestle and fight 
 Longer and stronger than those of the night. 
 
 In Sir Walter Scott's novel of The Pirate there is a note 
 about King Eric (also called Windy Cap), who could change 
 the direction of the wind by merely turning his cap round 
 upon his head. Old Scotch women are also mentioned who, 
 for a consideration, would promise to bring the wind from any 
 desired quarter ; and in the same novel Noma of the Fitful 
 Head professed to control the wind by merely waving her 
 wand in the air. 
 
 As soon as Hodnet sends the wind, 
 
 A rainy day will Drayton find. — Shropshire. 
 
 When the cock has his neb in Hodnet Hole, look out for 
 rain. [This refers to the weathercock on Drayton Church, 
 whence Hodnet lies south-west.] 
 
 Georgina Jackson's " Shropshire Folk-Lore." 
 
 Day and 
 night. 
 
 A capful of 
 wind. 
 
 Hodnet. 
 
7o 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 {Wind] 
 Habberlcv. 
 
 Night. 
 
 Storms. 
 
 Brisk. 
 Rain. 
 
 Ripple of. 
 
 Wind and 
 
 rain. 
 
 A storm will go three miles out of its way to come by 
 Habberley to Churton [Church Pulverbatch]. 
 
 Georgina Jackson's " Shropshire Folk-Lore." 
 
 Winds at night are always bright ; 
 
 But winds in the morning, sailors take warning. 
 
 A wind generally sets from the sea to the land during the 
 day, and from the land to the sea at the night, especially in 
 hot climates. — J. F. Daniels. 
 
 Wind storms usually subside about sunset ; but if they do 
 not, they will go on for another day. 
 
 A brisk wind generally precedes rain. 
 
 For raging winds blow up incessant showers ; 
 And when the rage allays, the rain begins. 
 
 Shakespeare's "Henry VI." 
 
 There is a peculiar rippling of the wind, or broken way of 
 blowing, which is said always to prognosticate heavy rain 
 within a few hours. — Scotland. 
 
 When rain comes before wind, 
 Halyards, sheets, and braces mind ; 
 
 But— 
 When wind comes before rain, 
 Soon you may make sail again. — Fitzroy. 
 
 When the rain comes before the winds, 
 You may reef when it begins ; 
 But when the wind comes before the rain, 
 You may hoist your topsails up again. 
 
 If the rain comes before the wind, 
 Lower your topsails and take them in ; 
 If the wind comes before the rain, 
 Lower your topsails and hoist them again. 
 
 When the rain's before the wind, 
 Your topsail halyards you must mind ; 
 But when the wind's before the rain, 
 You may hoist your topsails up again. 
 
 Captain Nares. 
 
 Showers generally allay the winds, especially if they be 
 stormy ; as, on the other hand, winds often keep off rain. 
 
 Bacon. 
 Oft is there use of winds that loud 
 Are whistling o'er the plains ; 
 And oft of heaven-descending rains, 
 Daughters of the stormy cloud. 
 
 Cary's " Pindar." 
 
Wind. 7 1 
 
 If rain falls before the wind commences, the wind will last [Wind.] 
 longer than the rain. But if the wind blows first, and is Rain - 
 afterwards laid by rain, it does not often rise again ; and if it 
 does, it is followed by fresh rain. — Bacon. 
 
 Much wind brings rain. — French. 
 
 Therefore the winds have sucked up from the sea 
 
 Contagious fogs, which, falling in the land, 
 
 Have every pelting river made so proud, 
 
 That they have overborne their continents. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Midsummer Night's Dream." 
 
 If the wind shifts about for a few hours, as if it was trying Changing. 
 the different points, and then commences to blow constantly 
 from one quarter, that wind will last many days. — Bacon. 
 
 When the wind backs and the weather glass falls, Backing. 
 
 Then be on your guard against gales and squalls. 
 
 Winds that change against the sun 
 
 Are always sure to backward run. 
 
 When the wind veers against the sun, Veering 
 
 Trust it not, for back 'twill run. NJV.S.E. 
 
 The veering of the wind with the sun, or, as sailors say, 
 right handed, prognosticates drier or better weather ; the 
 backing of the wind against the sun, or left handed shifting, 
 indicates rain, or more wind, or both together. — Fitzroy. 
 
 A veering wind, fair weather. 
 A backing wind, foul weather. 
 
 It is a sign of continued fine weather when the wind changes N.E.S.W. 
 during the day so as to follow the sun. 
 
 If wind follows sun's course, expect fair weather. 
 Permanent winds turn the vane only in a direct sense or with Dove's law. 
 the sun. — Dove. 
 
 In northern hemisphere the wind changes from east to west 
 by way of south, and the reverse (from east to west by way of 
 north) in the southern hemisphere. — Dov£ 
 
 In a note by Mr. E. Poste, author of The Skies and Weather 
 Forecasts of Aratus, a passage is quoted as showing an 
 anticipation of Dove's law. Aratus writes of — 
 
 1 ' Veering winds, 
 Unstable, baffling the predictor's skill." 
 
 Theophrastus had before penned the following sentence on 
 the subject (I quote Mr. Poste's translation): "When winds 
 are not arrested by other winds (this is a confession of some 
 undefined perturbations), but cease of themselves, they are 
 transformed into the adjacent winds, rotating from left to 
 right, like the sun in his (diurnal) course." 
 
7 2 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Wind.'] 
 Dove's law. 
 
 With sun. 
 
 A t sunset. 
 
 North to 
 north-east. 
 
 Theophrastus has taken this from his master Aristotle, who 
 says : " The cycle of the winds, when they cease of them- 
 selves {i.e., without being disturbed by opposite winds), is a 
 continuous transformation of wind from one quarter into 
 a wind from the adjacent quarter, following the direction 
 of the (diurnal) movement of the sun." So that we are 
 indebted to Mr. Poste for pointing out that these philosophers 
 knew of the law by which permanent winds in the northern 
 hemisphere turn, as the sailors say, "with the sun." That 
 this law should have been rediscovered by Dov6 so many 
 centuries after is a tribute to the accuracy and intelligence of 
 the ancient observers. 
 
 If the wind follow the motion of the sun — that is, if it move 
 from east to south, from south to west, from west to north, from 
 north to east — it does not generally go back ; or if it does, it 
 is only for a short time. But if it move contrary to the sun — 
 that is, if it changes from east to north, from north to west, 
 from west to south, from south to east — it generally returns to 
 the former quarter, at least before it has completed the entire 
 circle. — Bacon. 
 
 If in unsettled weather the wind veers from south-west to 
 west or north-west at sunset, expect finer weather for a day 
 or two. — Fitzroy. 
 
 If the wind veers from north to north-east in winter, intense 
 cold follows. — Dove. 
 
 Cyclones Cyclones in northern hemisphere veer generally from east to 
 
 west by way of north, or against the sun's course. In the 
 
 Ballot's law. southern hemisphere the reverse. — Buys Ballot. 
 
 [To remember this, think of the words Not and Same, 
 meaning that winds change not in the N. hemisphere 
 and same in S. hemisphere as the sun ; or if preferred, 
 one may consider a watch dial as laid horizontally, and 
 the cyclonic wind will change not in northern and same 
 in southern hemisphere as the movement of the hands. 
 The N. and S. call to mind the rule as applying to the 
 N. or S. hemisphere. — R. I.] 
 
 A cyclone in the torrid zone is always preceded by a fall in 
 the barometer, and generally also by a greasy halo round the 
 sun or moon, by rolled and tufted clouds with lurid streaks 
 of light and unusual colours, and by a heavy bank of cloud 
 clinging to the horizon, and often darting out threads of pale 
 lightning. 
 
 Vortex. ■ To find out where the centre or vortex of a cyclone is situated 
 look to the wind's eye ; set its bearing by the compass, and the 
 
Wind. 
 
 73 
 
 eighth point (at 90°) to the right thereof will in the northern [Wind.] 
 hemisphere be the bearing of the storm centre. The eighth Cyclones. 
 point (or go") to the left will be the same in the southern 
 hemisphere. 
 
 This wind is said to go " withershins,'' or contrary to the Withershins. 
 course of the sun.— Swainson. 
 
 I have several times, in calm weather, seen a cloud generate 
 and diffuse a breeze on the surface of the sea, which spread 
 in different directions from the place of descent. A remark- 
 able instance of this occurred in Malacca Strait during a calm 
 day, when a fleet was in company. A breeze commenced 
 suddenly from a dense cloud ; its centre of action seemed Cloud. 
 to be in the middle of the fleet, which was much scattered. 
 This breeze spread in every direction from a centre, and 
 produced a singular appearance in the fleet ; for every ship 
 hauled close to the wind as the breeze reached her, and when 
 it became general exhibited to view the different ships sailing 
 completely round a circle, although all hauled close to the 
 wind. — Nicholson's Journal. 
 
 Cruel storms do not blow in a right course. — Strabo. 
 
 Storms 
 cyclonic. 
 
 Cyclones generally move as a whole to the westward, curving Movement. 
 to the northward, in northern latitudes ; and to the westward, 
 curving to the south, in southern latitudes. 
 
 Cyclones are most violent near their centres. 
 
 The forceful whirlwind veers around. 
 
 Potter's "Euripides." 
 
 June — too soon ; 
 
 July — stand by ; 
 
 August — look out you must ; 
 
 September — remember ; 
 
 October — all over.— Captain Nares. 
 
 Squalls are considered as a favourable sign in tempests and Squalls. 
 hurricanes, as shortly preceding their discontinuance. They 
 are accessions of new air to the prevailing wind or storm, 
 and partly from a new direction, and are generally accom- 
 panied by arched clouds, or thunderstorms, and by rain. 
 
 Fitzroy. 
 
 Hurricanes 
 in West 
 Indies. 
 
 A storm moderates, to storm again. 
 
 Untimely storms make men expect a dearth. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Richard III.' 
 
 As humorous as winter, and as sudden 
 As flaws congealed in the spring of day. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Henry IV.' 
 
 Storm. 
 
 Storms 
 unseason- 
 able. 
 
 lit morning. 
 
74 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [IVuid.] 
 Sudden. 
 
 North to 
 south, and 
 vice versa. 
 
 North-east 
 to east. 
 
 South to 
 north. 
 
 The sudden storm lasts not three hours. 
 
 The sharper the blast 
 
 The sooner 'tis past. — Charles Wesley. 
 
 The wind usually turns from north to south with a quiet 
 wind without rain, but returns to the north with a strong wind 
 and rain. The strongest winds are when it turns from south 
 to north by west. — Fitzroy. 
 
 When the wind turns from north-east to east, and continues 
 two days without rain, and does not turn south the third day, 
 nor rain the third day, it is likely to continue north-east for 
 eight or nine days, all fair, and then to come to the south 
 again. — Fitzroy. 
 
 If the wind shifts from south to north through west, there will 
 be, in winter, snow ; in spring, sleet ; in summer, thunder- 
 storms, after which the air becomes colder. — Dove. 
 
 Changing. 
 
 Shifting 
 
 during 
 
 drought. 
 
 Unsteadi- 
 ness. 
 
 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the 
 north ; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth 
 again according to his circuits. — Ecclesiastes i. 6. 
 
 In Texas and the south-west, when the wind shifts during a 
 drought, expect rain. 
 
 Unsteadiness of wind shows changing weather. 
 
 A frequent change of wind, with agitation in the clouds, 
 denotes a storm. 
 
 The often changing of the wind doth many times show 
 stormy weather. — Wing, 1649. 
 
 And more inconstant than the wind, who woos 
 Even now the frozen bosom of the north ; 
 And being angered, puffs away from thence, 
 Turning his face to the dew-dropping south. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Romeo and Juliet." 
 
 Winds changing from foul to fair during the night are not 
 permanent. 
 
 The wind having held long and extremely sharp in one point, 
 and at last suddenly shifting, brings a relaxation, if not a 
 thorough thaw. — Pointer. 
 
 Air currents. Currents of air frequently change their course, first in the 
 higher regions, and are afterwards continued in other 
 directions on the earth's surface, whence we can often fore- 
 see a change of wind by observing the clouds. Both the 
 
 Sudden 
 changes. 
 
 Night 
 changes. 
 
 Sudden 
 shift. 
 
Wind. 75 
 
 strength of a coming gale, and the point from which it will \}Viml.\ 
 blow, may usually be determined by noticing the velocity and 
 direction of the clouds floating along in the upper currents. 
 
 Always a calm before a storm. Calm. 
 
 After a storm comes a calm. 
 
 Lang foul, Changes. 
 
 Lang fair. 
 Buchanan's Almanack (Scotland). 
 
 In noticing the wind, regard must be had to whether there Various 
 are one or more currents in the atmosphere : in the former currents. 
 case, the barometer is generally steady and the weather fair ; 
 in the latter, the mercury fluctuates and the weather is un- 
 settled. — Jenyns. 
 
 To discover the rolling cylinders of air, the vane of a weather- Rolling. 
 cock might be so suspended as to dip or rise vertically, as 
 well as to have its horizontal rotation. — E. Darwin. 
 Between the tropics winds and currents tend westward. Tendency. 
 
 In middle latitudes winds and currents tend eastward. 
 
 In high latitudes winds and currents tend from the poles 
 
 towards the equator. 
 
 It is certain that there are some blasts which leave behind Blight. 
 
 them on plants manifest traces of burning and scorching. 
 
 But the sirocco, which is an invisible lightning and a burning 
 
 air without flame, is referred to the inquiry on lightning. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 A furious, scorching African wind, which is attended with a Harmattan 
 dense fog or haze. — E. Darwin. J° s ' 
 
 Wherever there are high mountains covered with snow, Mountains. 
 periodical winds blow from that quarter at the time of the 
 melting of the snows. — Bacon. 
 
 It has been remarked that periodical winds do not blow at Periodical. 
 night, but get up the third hour after sunrise. — Bacon. 
 
 Light winds point to pressure low, Light and 
 
 But gales around the same do blow. heavy. 
 
 Alexander Ringwood. 
 Greater winds are observed to blow about the time of the Planets. 
 conjunction of planets. — Bacon. 
 
 If the wind be hushed with sudden heat, expect heavy rain. Heat. 
 The heat of the sun on its increase is more disposed to 
 generate winds ; on its decrease, to generate rain. — Bacon. 
 
 The whispering grove tells of a storm to come. Whispering. 
 
 A high wind prevents frost. High. 
 
7 6 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Wind.'] 
 
 Barley 
 
 harvest. 
 
 Storm. 
 
 It is always windy in barley harvest ; 
 for the poor. 
 
 it blows off the heads 
 
 Various. 
 
 If the wind is from the north-west or south-west, the storm 
 will be short ; if from the north-east, it will be a hard one ; 
 if from the north-west, a cold one ; and if from the south- 
 west, a warm one. After it has been raining some time, a 
 blue sky in the south-east indicates that there will be fair 
 weather soon. 
 
 North winds send hail, south winds bring rain, 
 East winds we bewail, west winds blow amain ; 
 North-east is too cold, south-east not too warm, 
 North-west is too bold, south-west doth no harm. 
 The north is a noyer to grass of all suites, 
 The east a destroyer to herb and all fruits ; 
 The south, with his showers, refresheth the corn ; 
 The west to all flowers may not be forborne. 
 The west, as a father, all goodness doth bring ; 
 The east, a forbearer, no manner of thing ; 
 The south, as unkind, draweth sickness too near ; 
 The north, as a friend, maketh all again clear. 
 
 Tusser. 
 
 North. Wind from the north, cold and snow. 
 
 North-west. Wind from the western river of the north land, snow. 
 
 West. Wind from the world of waters, clouds. 
 
 South-west. Wind from the southern river of the world of waters, rain. 
 
 South. Wind from the land of the beautiful red, lovely odours and 
 
 rain. 
 
 South-east. Wind from the wooded canons, rain and moist clouds. 
 
 South. Wind from the land of day, it is the breath of health, and 
 
 brings the days of long life. 
 
 North-east. Wind from the lands of cold bring the rain before which 
 flees the harvest. 
 
 [The last eight are Indian proverbs, U.S.] 
 
 Direction of. When the wind is in the north, 
 
 Hail comes forth. 
 When the wind is in the wast, 
 Look for a weet blast. 
 When the wind is in the soud, 
 The weather will be gude. 
 When the wind is in the east, 
 Cold and snaw come neist. — Scotch. 
 
Wind. 
 
 77 
 
 Wind east or west [IVimt.] 
 
 Is a sign of a blast ; Direction of. 
 
 Wind north or south 
 
 Is a sign of a drought. 
 
 North wind cold, 
 
 East wind dry, 
 
 South wind warm and often wet, 
 
 West wind generally rainy. — Bacon. 
 
 The south wind always brings wet weather, Satire. 
 
 The north wind wet and cold together ; 
 
 The west wind always brings us rain, 
 
 The east wind blows it back again ; 
 
 If the sun in red should set, 
 
 The next day surely will be wet ; 
 
 If the sun should set in grey, 
 
 The next will be a rainy day. 
 
 Satire on the Humid Climate of 
 the British Isles. 
 
 North and south, the sign o' drouth ; 
 East and west, the sign of blast. 
 
 When the wind is in the north, 
 The skilful fisher goes not forth. 
 
 Fishermen in anger froth 
 When the wind is in the north ; 
 For fish bite the best 
 When the wind is in the west. 
 
 When the wind's in the north, North. 
 
 You mustn't go fo-th. — Denham. 
 
 A northern air Fair. 
 
 Brings weather fair. 
 
 Fair weather cometh out of the north. — Job xxxvii. 22. 
 
 The gold [of the sky] cometh out of the north. 
 
 The same, Sharpe's Translation. 
 And cold out of the north. — Job xxxvii. 9. Cold. 
 
 To run upon the sharp wind of the north, 
 To do me business in the veins o' the earth 
 When it is backed with frost. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Tempest." 
 The north wind bringeth forth rain. Rainy. 
 
 Proverbs xxv. 23, Sharpe's Translation. 
 
 A whirlwind came out of the north. — Ezekiel i. 4. Whirlwind. 
 The north wind, if it should rise by night (which is unusual) Night. 
 hardly ever lasts beyond three days. — Bacon. 
 
 Drought and 
 blast. 
 
 North, bad 
 for fishers. 
 
 West, good 
 for fishers. 
 
7§ 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Wind.] 
 North. 
 
 Grafting. 
 
 Evils from 
 north. 
 
 Channel. 
 First. 
 
 Snow. 
 
 Sterile. 
 Thunder. 
 Cream. 
 New Moon. 
 Changing. 
 
 North-east. 
 
 North-west. 
 
 N. W. and 
 S.W. 
 
 In large pastures shepherds should take care to drive their 
 flocks to the north side, so that they may feed opposite to the 
 south. — Pliny. 
 
 Take care not to sow in a north 'wind, or to graft and inocu- 
 late when the wind is in the south. — Pliny. 
 
 All bad things come out of the north. A bleak, bad wind, 
 and a biting frost, and a scolding wife come out of the 
 north. 
 
 A north wind is a broom for the Channel. — Cornwall. 
 
 Whenever the wind first blows from the north, after having 
 been for some days in another direction, a fine day or two is 
 almost sure to follow. 
 
 The north wind doth blow, 
 
 And we shall have snow. — Denham. 
 
 A north wind has no corn. — Spanish. 
 
 With a north wind it seldom thunders. 
 
 Cream makes most freely with a north wind. 
 
 A new moon with north wind will hold until the full. 
 
 If there be within four, five, or six days two or three changes 
 of wind from the north, through east without much rain and 
 wind, and thence again through the west to the north with 
 rain or wind, expect continued showery weather. 
 
 The north winds cease commonly after blowing an odd 
 number of days — three, five, seven, or nine. — Pliny. 
 
 That the wind Csecias [north-east] attracts clouds passed into 
 a proverb among the Greeks. 
 
 Aristotle's " Problems," § De Ventis, 55. 
 
 If the wind is north-east three days without rain, 
 Eight days will pass before south wind again. 
 
 Fitzroy. 
 
 Winds from the lands of cold bring fruit of ice. Wind from 
 the right hand of the west is the breath of the god of sand 
 clouds. — Indian Proverbs, U.S. 
 
 Do business with men when the wind is in the north-west. 
 
 Yorkshire. 
 [Note. — This, bringing the finest weather, is said to improve 
 men's tempers.] 
 
 Frost will probably occur when the temperature is 40° and the 
 wind north-west. — United States. 
 
 A nor'-wester is not long in debt to a sou'-wester. 
 
Wind. 
 
 79 
 
 If there be a change of wind from the north-west or west to 
 the south-west or south, or else from the north-east or east to 
 the south-east or south, expect fair weather. 
 
 United States. 
 
 [Wind.] 
 N. W. or W., 
 changing to 
 S.IV. or S., 
 N.E.orE.,to 
 S.E. or S. 
 
 North-west 
 and north- 
 east. 
 
 When the wind is in the north-west. 
 The weather is at its best ; 
 But if the rain comes out of the east, 
 'Twill rain twenty-four hours at least. 
 
 North-west wind brings a short storm ; a north-east wind 
 brings a long storm. 
 
 If the north-west or north winds blow with rain or snow North-west, 
 during three or four days in the winter, and then the wind changing to 
 passes to the south through the west, expect continued rain. 
 
 If a north-west wind shifts to north-east, remaining there two N.W.toN.E. 
 or three days without rain, and then shifts to the south, and a " c L^' a 
 then back to the north-east, with very little rain, fair weather 
 may be expected during the following month. 
 
 Observer at Cape Mendocino. 
 
 In summer, if the wind changes to the north-west, expect North-west. 
 cooler weather. 
 
 North-west wind brings only rain showers. — United States. 
 
 An honest man and a north-west wind generally go to sleep 
 together. 
 
 [Note. — The north-west wind is said to abate at sunset.] 
 
 If two currents of wind, as shown by the motions of the Nort/i-west 
 clouds, blow north-west and south-east respectively, and the and south- 
 south-east current be highest, foul weather will follow ; but eas ' 
 if the north-west current be uppermost, then fair, clear 
 weather may be expected. 
 
 When the wind is in the east, East. 
 
 It is neither good for man nor beast. 
 
 The east wind dried up her fruit. — Ezekiel xix. 12. Dry. 
 
 Their faces shall sup up as the east wind. — Habakkuk i. 9. 
 
 An east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come 
 up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, 
 and his fountain shall be dried up.— Hosea xiii. 15. 
 
 When the east wind toucheth it, it shall wither. 
 
 Ezekiel xvii. 10. 
 
 And, behold, seven thin ears, and blasted with the east wind, 
 came up.— Genesis xli. 6. 
 
 The east wind brought the locusts. — Exodus x. 13. Locusts. 
 
8o 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Wind.] 
 
 East. 
 
 Dry. 
 
 Clear. 
 
 Cold. 
 With rain. 
 
 Stormy. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 East-north- 
 east. 
 
 East and 
 north. 
 
 East and 
 
 west. 
 
 A dry east wind raises the spring. — Cornwall. 
 
 Easterly gales without rain during the spring equinox foretell 
 
 a dry summer. — Scotland. 
 
 Everything looks large in the east wind. — Scotland. 
 
 [Note. — There are many local sayings in Scotland referring 
 to the unusually clear appearance of certain mountains 
 during an east wind. It is said to indicate approaching 
 rain.] 
 When the hoar-frost is first accompanied by east wind, it 
 indicates that the cold will continue a long time. 
 When the rain is from the east, 
 It is for four-and-twenty hours at least. 
 An easterly wind's rain 
 Makes fools fain. 
 The heaviest rains begin with an easterly wind, which 
 gradually veers round to south and west, or a little north- 
 west, when the rain usually ceases. 
 God prepared a vehement east wind. — Jonah iv. 8. 
 The east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. 
 
 Ezekiel xxvii. 26. 
 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. 
 
 Psalm xlviii. 7. 
 If an east wind blows against a dark, heavy sky from the 
 north-west, the wind decreasing in force as the clouds 
 approach, expect thunder and lightning. 
 There arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 
 
 Acts xxvii. 14. 
 A tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon (or east-north-east). 
 The same, Sharpe's Translation. 
 The east and north winds, when they have once begun, are 
 more continuous ; the south and west winds are more 
 variable. — Bacon. 
 
 Wet weather with an east wind continues longer than with a 
 west, and generally lasts a whole day. — Bacon. 
 In an east wind all visible things appear larger ; in a west 
 wind all sounds are more audible and travel farther. 
 
 Aristotle's " Problems," § De Ventis, 55. 
 When the wind is in the east, 
 The fisher likes it least ; 
 When the wind is in the west, 
 The fisher likes it best. 
 When the smoke goes west, 
 Gude weather is past ; 
 When the smoke goes east, 
 Gude weather comes neist. — Scotch. 
 
Wind. 8 1 
 
 How thy garments are warm, when He quieteth the earth by [lVimt.~] 
 the south wind. — Job xxxvii. 17. South 
 
 (warm). 
 As whirlwinds in the south. — Isaiah xxi. 1. Tempes- 
 
 tuous. 
 And shall go with whirlwinds of the south. 
 
 Zachariah ix. 14. 
 
 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind. — Job xxxvii. 9. 
 
 When ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat ; Hot. 
 and it cometh to pass. — Luke xii. 55. 
 
 Like foggy south, puffing with wind and rain. Foggy. 
 
 Shakespeare's " As You Like It," Act IV. 
 
 The weather usually clears at noon when a southerly wind is Noon. 
 blowing. — Nautical. 
 
 When tempests of commotion like the south, Wet. 
 
 Born with black vapour, doth begin to melt, 
 And drop upon our bare, unarmed heads. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Henry IV." 
 
 If the wind continue any considerable time in the south, it is Continued. 
 an infallible sign of rain. — Wing, 1649. 
 
 If there be dry weather with a light south wind for five or six Light. 
 days, it having previously blown strongly from the same 
 direction, expect fine weather. — Texas. 
 
 Brisk winds from the south for several days in Texas are Brisk. 
 generally followed by a "norther.'' 
 
 A southerly wind with a fog Foggy. 
 
 Brings an easterly wind in snog [with certainty]. 
 
 Cornwall. 
 
 An out [southerly] wind and a fog 
 
 Bring an east wind home snug. — Cornwall. 
 
 A southerly wind and a cloudy sky Misty. 
 
 Proclaim it a hunting morning. 
 
 As when the south wind o'er the mountain tops 
 Spreads a thick veil of mist, the shepherd's bane, 
 But friendlier to the thief than shades of night. 
 
 Homer's " Iliad." 
 
 In a south wind the sea appears more blue and clear, in a Clear. 
 north wind blacker and darker. — Aristotle. 
 
 After frosts and long snows the south is almost the only wind In winter. 
 that blows. — Bacon, from Aristotle's " Problems," § De 
 Ventis, 3. 
 
 6 
 
82 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Wind.] 
 South. 
 Rising and 
 falling. 
 
 Gentle. 
 
 Night. 
 Soothing. 
 
 Damp. 
 
 Rainy. 
 
 Good for 
 fishers. 
 
 Fair, 
 
 Whistling in 
 
 North and 
 south. 
 
 When the south wind either rises or falls, there is generally a 
 change of weather, from fair to cloudy, or from hot to cold, 
 or vice versa. But the north wind often both rises and falls 
 without any change in the weather. — Bacon. 
 
 The south wind, when gentle, is not a great collector of clouds ; 
 but it is often clear, especially if it be of short continuance. 
 But if it lasts or becomes violent, it makes the sky become 
 cloudy and brings on rain, which comes on rather when the 
 wind ceases or begins to die away, than when it commences 
 or is at its height. — Bacon. 
 
 The south wind rises oftener and blows stronger by night 
 than by day, especially in winter. — Bacon, from Aristotle. 
 
 The south wind warms the aged. 
 
 The south wind is the father of the poor. — Ragusa. 
 
 When the wind's in the soud, 
 The weather will be fresh and gude ; 
 When the wind's in the east, 
 Cauld and snaw come neist. 
 
 And with the southern clouds contend in tears. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Henry VI.'' 
 
 When the wind's in the south, 
 The rain's in its mouth. 
 
 The rain comes scouth [plentifully] 
 When the rain is in the south. — Scotch. 
 
 A southerly wind with showers of rain 
 Will bring the wind from west again. 
 
 When the wind is in the south, 
 
 It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth. 
 
 Fair weather for a week with a southern wind is likely to 
 produce a great drought, if there has been much rain out of 
 the south before. — Fitzroy. 
 
 The southern wind 
 
 Doth play the trumpet to his purposes, 
 And by his hollow whistling in the leaves 
 Foretells a tempest and a blustering day. 
 
 Shakespeare's " Henry IV." 
 
 If a south wind begin to blow for two or three days, a north 
 wind will sometimes rise directly afterwards. But if there 
 has been a north wind for as many days, the wind will blow 
 for a short time from the east before it comes from the south. 
 
 Bacon, from Pliny, ii. 48. 
 
Wind. 
 
 83 
 
 [Wind.] 
 North and 
 south. 
 
 Towards the end of the year and the commencement of 
 winter, if the south wind blow first and be succeeded by the 
 north, it will be a severe winter (Arist., Prod., xxvi. 49). 
 But if the north wind blow at the commencement of winter, 
 and be succeeded by the south, the winter will be mild and 
 warm. — Bacon. 
 
 Rain with a south-east wind is expected to last for some time. South-east. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 A south-west blow on ye, 
 And blister ye all over. 
 
 Shakespeare's 
 
 Tempest.' 
 
 South-west 
 (unwhole- 
 some). 
 
 Rainy. 
 
 Three south-westers, then one heavy rain. 
 
 In Southern Indiana a south-west wind is said to bring rain 
 in thirty-six hours. 
 
 In fall and winter, if the wind holds a day or more in the Stormy 
 south-west, a severe storm is coming ; in summer the same 
 may be said of a north-east wind. 
 
 The third day of south-west wind will be a gale, and wind Third day. 
 will veer to north-west between I and 2 a.m. (in winter) with 
 increasing force. — Fishermen of North Carolina. 
 
 the wind shifts around to the south and south-west, expect 
 warm weather. 
 
 If the wind is south-west at Martinmas, 
 It keeps there till after Christmas. 
 
 after a stiff breeze there ensue a dead calm and drizzling 
 rain, with a fall in the barometer, expect a gale from south- 
 west. 
 
 When the wind is in the west, 
 The weather is always best. 
 
 The west wind is a gentleman, and goes to bed [i.e., drops in 
 the evening]. 
 
 Wind west, 
 
 Rain's nest. — Devonshire. 
 
 A western wind carrieth water in his hand. 
 
 A west wind, north about, 
 
 Never hangs lang out. — Scotland. 
 
 When the wind is on the west side of the compass, changes 
 of barometer accompany changes of weather ; but with the 
 wind on the east side, the indications of the barometer precede 
 the change.— G. F. Chambers. 
 
 Warm. 
 
 Autumn. 
 
 Gale. 
 
 West. 
 
 Wet. 
 
 Not 
 permanent. 
 
 Ride. 
 
84 Weather Lore. 
 
 [IVind.] The west wind is the attendant of the afternoon, for it blows 
 
 West and more frequently than the east wind when the sun is declining. 
 mst Bacon. 
 
 Calm. A dead calm often precedes a violent gale, and sometimes 
 
 the calmest and clearest mornings in certain seasons are 
 followed by a blowing, showery day. Calms are forerunners 
 of the hurricanes of the West Indies and other tropical 
 climes. 
 
 Clou&s. 
 
 Clouds next come under notice, and it will be seen that much is to be 
 gleaned by observing their forms and appearances. By Fitzroy, Howard, 
 and others these masses of vapour have been marshalled in the order of 
 their formation, so that the most casual obseiver may soon judge of the age 
 of a cloud, whether seen in its early stage of light, misty stratus, or in 
 the form of a dark, threatening nimbus, ripe for rain, and spreading like a 
 vampire's wing over the landscape. 
 
 Although the names given by Howard to the different clouds have been 
 here adopted, and the same general arratigement maintained, yet the 
 familiar names given to these masses of vapour by sailors and others, such 
 as Mackerel Sky, Mares' Tails, Wool Bags, Packet Boys, etc., have not 
 been omitted. Clouds should of course be observed with a proper allowance 
 for the force and direction of the wind at the time. With a swift upper 
 current of air a clear sky sometimes becomes obscured in a few minutes, 
 whilst in calmer weather changes in the appearance of the sky are slow to 
 occur, and can be reckoned on with more safety. 
 
 In the frontispiece I have depicted such forms of clouds as arc mentioned 
 i7i this book, as well as some intermediate fonns with the names of which 
 I will not here trouble the reader. The clouds are arranged m the 
 order of their height, so that the rough rule of " The higher the cloud, 
 the finer the weather '' may be more readily tmderstood . The heights are 
 those mentioned by Dr. Carl Lang and Dr. Fritz Erk in their recent 
 report of 1891.* 
 
 Clouds . And now the mists from earth are clouds in heaven, 
 
 Clouds slowly castellating in a calm 
 Sublimer than a storm, while brighter breathes 
 O'er the whole firmament the breadth of blue, 
 Because of that excessive purity 
 Of all those hanging snow-white palaces : 
 A gentle contrast, but with power divine. — Wilson. 
 
 Form. While any of the clouds, except the nimbus, retain their 
 
 primitive forms, no rain can take place ; and it is by observing 
 
 * Deutsche Mcteorigisches Jahrbuch (Munich : 1891). 
 
Clouds. 
 
 85 
 
 the changes and transitions of cloud form that weather may [Clouds.'] 
 be predicted. — Howard. 
 
 The higher the clouds, the finer the weather. High, 
 
 When on clear days isolated clouds drive over the zenith Isolated. 
 from the rain-wind side, storm and rain follow within twenty- 
 four hours. — United States. 
 
 After clouds calm weather. — T. Fuller. 
 
 Calm. 
 
 Clouds that the sun builds up darken him. Dark. 
 
 It it will not rain much so long as the sky is clear before the With wind. 
 wind ; but when clouds fall in against the wind, rain will soon 
 follow. 
 
 When clouds break before the wind, leaving a clear sky, fine 
 weather will follow. 
 
 After fine, clear weather the first signs in the sky of a coming Indications 
 change are usually light streaks, curls, wisps, or mottled °f- 
 patches of white distant clouds, which increase and are 
 followed by an overcasting of murky vapour that grows into 
 cloudiness. The appearance more or less oily or watery as 
 wind or rain may prevail is an infallible sign. Usually the 
 higher and more distant such clouds seem to be, the more 
 gradual but general the coming change of weather will prove. 
 
 Fitzroy. 
 
 Now clouds combine, and spread o'er all the sky, Growth of. 
 
 When little rugged parts ascend on high, 
 
 Which may be twined, though by a feeble tie ; 
 
 These make small clouds, which, driven on by wind, 
 
 To other like and little clouds are joined, 
 
 And these increase by more : at last they form 
 
 Thick, heavy clouds ; and thence proceeds a storm. 
 Creech's " Lucretius." 
 
 When clouds, after rain, disperse during the night, the weather Dispersing. 
 will not remain clear. 
 
 Can any understand the spreadings of the clouds ? 
 
 Job xxxvi. 29. 
 
 Dost thou know the balancing of the clouds ? — Job xxxvii. 16. 
 
 Bleak is the morn when blows the north from high ; 
 Oft when the dawnlight paints the starry sky 
 A misty cloud suspended hovers o'er 
 Heaven's blessed earth with fertilising store, 
 Drained from the living streams : aloft in air 
 The whirling winds the buoyant vapour bear, 
 Resolved at eve in rain or gusty cold, 
 As by the north the troubled rack is rolled. 
 
 Elton's Translation of Hesiod's Works. 
 
 Spreading. 
 
 Balancing. 
 Dawn. 
 
86 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Clouds."\ 
 Morning. 
 
 Evening. 
 
 Cloudy mornings turn to clear evenings. 
 
 When the clouds of the morn to the west fly away, 
 You may conclude on a settled, fair day. 
 
 At sunset with a cloud so black, 
 A westerly wind you shall not lack. 
 
 Many small clouds at north-west in the evening show that 
 rain is gathering, and will suddenly fall. — Pointer. 
 
 Storm cloud. When a heavy cloud comes up in the south-west, and seems 
 to settle back again, look out for a storm. 
 
 If the sky, from being clear, becomes fretted or spotted all over 
 with bunches of clouds, rain will soon fall. 
 
 Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 Accumu- 
 lating. 
 
 Low. 
 
 Increasing 
 
 Collecting 
 and driving 
 
 Driving 
 
 From west. 
 
 Clearing. 
 
 With mock 
 
 sans. 
 
 If on the ocean's bosom clouds appear, 
 While the blue vault above is bright and clear, 
 These signs by shepherds and by sailors seen, 
 Give pleasing hope of days and nights serene. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 If clouds increase visibly, and the clear sky become less, it 
 is a sign of rain. 
 
 If the clouds appear to drive fast when there is no wind, 
 expect wind from that quarter from which i they are driven. 
 But if they gather and collect together, on the sun's approach 
 to that part, they will begin to disperse ; and then if they 
 disperse towards the north, it prognosticates wind ; if towards 
 the south, rain. — Bacon. 
 
 When the carry [current of clouds] gaes west, 
 Gude weather is past ; 
 When the carry gaes east, 
 Gude weather comes neist. 
 
 Clouds that are carried with a tempest, to whom the mist of 
 darkness is reserved for ever. — 2 Peter ii. 17. 
 
 When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, 
 There cometh a shower ; and so it is. — Luke xii. 54. 
 
 If the sky clears, and the clouds commence to break in the 
 quarter opposite the wind, it will be fine ; but if it clear up 
 to windward, it indicates nothing, and leaves the weather 
 uncertain. — Bacon. 
 
 If clouds shall have shut in the sun, the less light there is 
 left, and the smaller the sun's orb appears, the more severe 
 will the storm prove. But if the disc of the sun appear 
 double or treble, as if there were two or three suns, the 
 storm will be much more violent, and will last many days. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
Clouds. 
 
 87 
 
 If the upper current of clouds comes from the north-west in [Clouds.] 
 the morning, a fine day will ensue. North-west. 
 
 If in the north-west before daylight end there appear a 
 company of small black clouds like flocks of sheep, it is a 
 sure and certain sign of rain. — Wing, 1649. 
 
 If a layer of thin clouds drive up from the north-west, and 
 under other clouds moving more to the south, expect fine 
 weather. — United States. 
 
 Clouds in the east, obscuring the sun, indicate fair weather. East. 
 
 If clouds drive up high from the south, expect a thaw. South. 
 
 Small scattering clouds flying high in the south-west fore- South-west. 
 show whirlwinds. — Howard. 
 
 A sky covered with clouds need not cause apprehension, if High. 
 the latter are high, and of no great density, and the air is still, 
 the barometer at the same time being high. Rain falling 
 under such circumstances is generally light, or of not long 
 continuance. — Jenyns. 
 
 If high, dark clouds are seen in spring, winter, or fall, expect 
 cold weather. 
 
 Dark, heavy clouds, carried rapidly along near the earth, are a Dark. 
 sign of great disturbance in the atmosphere from conflicting 
 currents. At such times the weather is never settled, and 
 rain extremely probable. — Jenyns. 
 
 If the clouds, as they come forward, seem to diverge from Diverging. 
 a point in the horizon, a wind may be expected from that 
 quarter, or the opposite. — Thomas Best. 
 
 The apparent permanency and stationary aspect of a cloud is Apparently 
 often an optical deception, arising from the solution of vapour stationary. 
 on one side of a given point, while it is precipitated on the 
 other. — J. F. Daniels. 
 
 Against heavy rain every cloud rises bigger than the preceding, Rising. 
 and all are in a growing state. — G. Adams. 
 
 Clouds floating low, and casting shadows on the ground, are Low. 
 usually followed by rain. — United States. 
 
 High upper clouds, crossing the sun, moon, or stars in a Motions of. 
 direction different from that of the lower clouds, or the wind 
 then felt below, foretell a change of wind toward their direction. 
 
 Fitzroy. 
 
 When the generality of the clouds rack or drive with the In layers. 
 wind (though there are many in little fleeces, or long strakes 
 lying higher, and appearing not to move), the wind is flagging, 
 and will quickly change and shift its point. — Pointer. 
 
S8 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Clouds.^ 
 In layers. 
 
 Cross wind. 
 
 Gusts. 
 Red. 
 
 Black. 
 
 Dull. 
 Golden. 
 
 Colouring. 
 
 Brassy. 
 Dusky. 
 
 Scud. 
 
 Bright and 
 dark. 
 
 If two strata of clouds appear in hot weather to move in 
 different directions, they indicate thunder. 
 
 If, during dry weather, two layers of clouds appear moving in 
 opposite directions, rain will follow. 
 
 Clouds floating at different heights show different currents of 
 air, and the upper one generally prevails. If this is north- 
 east, fine weather may be expected ; if south-west, rain. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 If you see clouds going across the wind, there is a storm in 
 the air. 
 
 If clouds float at different heights and rates, but generally in 
 opposite directions, expect heavy rains. 
 
 If there be a cloudy sky, with dark clouds driving fast under 
 higher clouds, expect violent gusts of wind. 
 
 Red clouds at sunrise foretell wind ; at sunset, a fine day for 
 the morrow. — Bacon. 
 
 Narrow, horizontal, red clouds after sunset in the west 
 indicate rain before thirty-six hours. 
 
 Red clouds in the east, rain the next day. 
 
 After black clouds clear weather. 
 
 Dark clouds in the west at sunrise indicate rain on that day. 
 
 Clay-coloured and muddy clouds portend rain and wind. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 Clouds before sunset of an amber or a gold colour, and with 
 gilt fringes, after the sun has sunk lower, foretell fine weather. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 The wind-gale or prismatic colouring of the clouds is con- 
 sidered by sailors a sign of rain. 
 
 Light, delicate, quiet tints or colours, with soft, undefined 
 forms of clouds, indicate and accompany fine weather ; but 
 unusual or gaudy hues, with hard, definitely outlined clouds, 
 foretell rain, and probably strong wind. — Fitzroy. 
 
 Brassy-coloured clouds in the west at sunset indicate wind. 
 
 Dusky or tarnish silver-coloured clouds indicate hail. 
 
 Howard. 
 
 Small inky-looking clouds foretell rain; light scud clouds 
 driving across heavy masses show wind and rain ; but if 
 alone, may indicate wind only. — Fitzroy. 
 
 If clouds be bright, 
 'Twill clear to-night ; 
 If clouds be dark, 
 'Twill rain, — do you hark ? 
 
Clouds. 
 
 89 
 
 Storm. 
 
 Against 
 wind. 
 
 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth ; [Clouds.] 
 He maketh lightnings for the rain ; He bringeth the wind out R atn - 
 of His treasuries. — Psalm cxxxv. 7. 
 
 Clouds above — water below. 
 
 Generally squalls are preceded, or accompanied, or followed 
 by clouds ; but the dangerous white squall of the West Indies 
 is indicated only by a rushing sound and by white wave crests 
 to windward. — Fitzroy. 
 
 A squall cloud that one can see through or under is not likely 
 to bring or be accompanied by so much wind as a dark, con- 
 tinued cloud extending beyond the horizon. — Fitzroy. 
 
 If you see a cloud rise against the wind or side wind, when 
 that cloud comes up to you, the wind will blow the same way 
 that the cloud came ; and the same rule holds good of a clear 
 place when all the sky is equally thick, except one clear edge. 
 
 Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 A small increasing white cloud about the size of a hand to Increasing. 
 windward is a sure precursor of a storm. 
 
 Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's 
 hand. . . Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the 
 rain stop thee not. And it came to pass that the heaven 
 was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. 
 
 1 Kings xviii. 44, 45. 
 
 A small, fast-growing black cloud in violent motion, seen in 
 the tropics, is called the "bull's eye," and precedes the most 
 terrible hurricanes. 
 
 Description 
 of. 
 
 Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish, 
 
 A vapour sometimes like a bear or lion, 
 
 A towered citadel, a pendent rock, 
 
 A forked mountain, a blue promontory 
 
 With trees upon't that nod unto the world 
 
 And mock our eyes with air. 
 
 That which is now a horse, even with a thought, 
 
 The rack dislimns and makes it indistinct 
 
 As water is in water. 
 
 Shakespeare, "Antony and Cleopatra." 
 
 A bench (or bank) of clouds in the west means rain. — Surrey. Bank. 
 When small dark clouds (broken nimbi) appear against a Broken. 
 patch of blue sky, there will be rain before sunset. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 When you observe greenish-tinted masses of composite cloud Massive. 
 collect in the south-east, and remain there for several hours, 
 expect a succession of heavy rains and gales. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
9° 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Cirrus.] 
 Definition. 
 
 Indicating 
 change. 
 
 Showery. 
 
 Indicating 
 wind. 
 
 Fine weather. 
 Rain. 
 Sheet cirrus. 
 
 Rain. 
 
 Murky. 
 
 Tufted 
 cirrus. 
 
 Feathery. 
 
 Curdled 
 cirrus. 
 Bar or 
 ribbedcirrus. 
 
 Parallel, flexuous, or diverging fibres, extensible in any or all 
 directions.— Howard. 
 
 Common names : Curl Cloud, Mares' Tails, Goat's Hair, etc. 
 
 T. Forster. 
 
 After a long run of clear weather the appearance of light 
 streaks of cirrus cloud at a great elevation is often the first 
 sign of change. — Jenyns. 
 
 Feathery clouds, like palm branches or thejlctir de lis, denote 
 immediate or coming showers. — Bacon. 
 
 Long parallel bands of clouds in the direction of the wind 
 indicate steady high winds to come. 
 
 If cirrus clouds dissolve and appear to vanish, it is an indica- 
 tion of fine weather. 
 
 If the cirrus clouds appear to windward, and change to cirro- 
 stratus, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 Sheet cirrus occurs with southerly and westerly, but rarely 
 with steady northerly or north-easterly, winds, unless a 
 change to a westerly or southerly quarter is approaching. 
 
 Hon. F. A. R. Russel. 
 
 In unsettled weather sheet cirrus precedes more wind or 
 rain. 
 
 The longer the dry weather has lasted, the less is rain likely 
 to follow the cloudiness of cirrus. 
 
 A large formation of murky white cirrus may merely indicate 
 a backing of wind to an easterly quarter. 
 
 This variety is a constant accompaniment of showers in 
 broken weather, and borders the lower clouds with a crown 
 of feathery tufts. 
 
 If a shower be approaching from the west, it may be seen 
 shooting forth white feathery rays from its upper edge, often 
 very irregular and crooked. 
 
 Cirrus of a long, straight, feathery kind, with soft edges and 
 outlines, or with soft, delicate colours at sunrise and sunset, 
 is a sign of fine weather. 
 
 This cloud often indicates the approach of bad weather. 
 
 The rapid movement of a cloud, something between cirrus 
 and cirro-cumulus, in distinct dense bars, in a direction at 
 right angles to the length of the bars, is, by itself, a certain 
 sign of a gale of wind. If the bars are sharply defined and 
 close together, the severer will be the storm. Sometimes 
 these bars remind one of the form of a gridiron. The bands 
 move transversely, and generally precede the storm by from 
 twelve to forty-eight hours. — Hon. F. A. R. Russel. 
 
Clotids. 
 
 9i 
 
 Curly wisps and blown-back pieces are not a bad sign. 
 
 [Cirrus. 
 Curly, 
 
 When the tails are turned downwards, fair weather or slight Tails 
 
 downwards. 
 Definite. 
 
 showers often follow. 
 
 The harder and more distinct the outline, and the more fre- 
 quently particular forms are repeated, the worse the result. 
 
 Long, hard, greasy-looking streaks, with rounded edges or Fibrous. 
 knobs, whether crossed by fibres at right angles or not, are a 
 sign of storms ; but the storms may be at a distance. 
 
 Cottony shreds, rounded and clear in outline, indicate dan- 
 gerous disturbances. 
 
 Regular, wavy tufts, with or without cross lines, are bad, Tufty. 
 
 especially if the tufts end, not in fibres, but in rounded 
 
 knobs. 
 
 Feathery cirrus in thick patches at equal distances apart is Regular. 
 
 a sign of storm ; so is any appearance of definite waves of 
 
 alternate sky and cloud ; so is any regular repetition of the 
 
 same form. 
 
 Slightly undulating lines of cirrus occur in fine weather ; but Undulating. 
 
 anything like a deeply indented outline precedes heavy rain 
 
 or wind. 
 
 Cirrus simply twisted or in zigzag lines of a fibrous character 
 often appears in fine weather ; and if not hard, or knotted, or 
 clearly marked off from a serene sky, does not often precede 
 any important change. 
 
 Detached patches of cirrus, like little masses of wool or knotted 
 feathers, in a clear sky, and of unusual figure, moving at 
 more than the average rate, precede disturbances of great 
 magnitude. The rays in straight lines are a good sign. 
 
 [The last ten rules are by the Hon. F. A. R. Russel.] 
 Continued wet weather is attended by horizontal sheets of 
 cirrus clouds, which subside quickly, passing into the cirro- 
 stratus. 
 
 When cirri merge into cirri-strati, and when cumuli increase 
 towards evening and become lower, expect wet weather. 
 Streaky clouds across the wind foreshow rain. — Scotland. 
 If cirrus clouds form in fine weather with a falling barometer, 
 it is almost sure to rain. — Howard. 
 
 These clouds announce the east wind. If their under surface 
 is level, and their streaks pointing upwards, they indicate rain ; 
 if downwards, wind and dry weather. — Howard. 
 
 If the cirrus clouds get lower and denser to leeward, it pre- 
 sages bad weather from the opposite quarter. 
 
 Twisted. 
 
 Detached. 
 
 Indicating 
 wet. 
 
 Rain and 
 
 wind. 
 
 Bail leather. 
 
9 2 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Cirrus. 
 Storms. 
 
 Pointing 
 upwards. 
 
 Streaky. 
 
 Barred. 
 
 When the cirrus clouds appear at lower elevations than usual, 
 and with a denser character, expect a storm from the opposite 
 quarter to the clouds. 
 
 When streamers point upward, the clouds are falling, and 
 rain is at hand ; when streamers point downwards, the clouds 
 are ascending, and drought is at hand. 
 
 When after a clear frost long streaks of cirrus are seen with 
 their ends bending towards each other as they recede from 
 the zenith, and when they point to the north-east, a thaw and 
 a south-west wind may be expected. 
 
 The bar or ribbed cirrus is considered by the Hon. F. A. R. 
 Russel as good a danger signal as that given by a falling 
 barometer. 
 
 Weather- 
 head eirrus. 
 
 [Cirro- 
 stratus.] 
 Definition. 
 
 Wind. 
 
 Hairy. 
 
 Ark- like. 
 
 In Shetland the name of " weather-head" is given to a band 
 of cirrus passing through the zenith ; and they say if it lies 
 north-east to south-west, good weather comes ; but if south- 
 east to north-west, a gale is looked for. 
 
 Horizontal or slightly inclined masses, attenuated towards a 
 part or the whole of their circumference, bent downwards, 
 or undulated, separate, or in groups, or consisting of small 
 clouds having these characters. — Howard. 
 
 If clouds look as if scratched by a hen, 
 
 Get ready to reef your topsails then. — Nautical. 
 
 Hen's scarts [scratchings] and filly tails 
 Make lofty ships carry low sails. 
 
 Comoid cirri, or cirri in detached tufts, called "mares' tails," 
 may be regarded as a sign of wind, which follows, often 
 blowing from the quarter to which the fibrous tails have 
 previously pointed. — T. Forster. 
 
 Trace in the sky the painter's brush, 
 Then winds around you soon will rush. 
 
 The cloud called " goat's hair ' 
 forebodes wind. 
 
 or the " grey mare's tail : 
 
 The form of cloud popularly called " Noah's ark " is also 
 called the "magnetic cirrus,'' and is said to consist of fine ice 
 crystals, and to be accompanied by magnetic disturbances. 
 
 A long stripe of cloud, sometimes called a salmon, sometimes 
 a Noah's ark, when it stretches east and west, is a sign of a 
 storm ; but when north and south, of fine weather. 
 
Clouds. 
 
 93 
 
 In the Eifel district of the Lower Rhine, on the contrary, they [Cirro- 
 say, when the "cloud ship " turns its head to the south, rain stmtus.] 
 will soon follow. 
 
 Cloud ship. 
 
 When a plain sheet of the wane cloud is spread over a large Wane cloud. 
 surface at eventide, or when the sky gradually thickens with 
 this cloud, a fall of steady rain is usually the consequence. 
 
 T. Forster. 
 
 In low pressure areas the stripes lie parallel to the isobars Direction. 
 (lines of equal barometric pressure), while in high pressure 
 areas the stripes cross the isobars at right angles. 
 
 HlLDEBRANDSSON. 
 
 Continuous cirro-strati gathering into unbroken gloom, and Gloomy. 
 also the cloud called " goat's hair,' - or the " grey mare's tail," 
 presage wind. — Scotland. 
 
 When after a shower the cirro-strati open up at the zenith, Indicating 
 leaving broken or ragged edges pointing upwards, and settle wind. 
 down gloomily and compactly on the horizon, wind will follow, 
 and will last for some time. — Scotland. 
 
 The cirro-stratus precedes winds and rains, and the approach Wind and 
 of foul weather may sometimes be inferred from its greater or ram. 
 less abundance, and the permanent character it puts on. 
 
 If clouds appear high in air in their white trains, wind and 
 probably rain will follow. 
 
 When ash-coloured masses of cumulo-stratus and cirro- 
 stratus cloud collect over the sea, extending in a line from 
 south-east to south-west, expect rain and probably wind on 
 the second day. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 Long lines of cirro-strati, extending along the horizon, and Rain, 
 slightly contracted in their centre, expect heavy rain the 
 following day. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 The cirro-stratus is doubtless the one alluded to by Polonius, Fish-shaped. 
 in Hamlet, as "very like a whale." 
 
 The fish (hake) shaped cloud, if pointing east and west, 
 indicates rain ; if north and south, more fine weather. 
 
 Bedfordshire. 
 
 North and south, the sign of drought ; 
 East and west, the sign of blast. 
 
 Light, fleecy clouds in rapid motion, below compact, dark With cirrus. 
 cirro-strati, foretell rain near at hand. — Scotland. 
 
94 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 {Cirro- 
 stratus. 
 Opening 
 
 Indicating 
 thunder. 
 
 [Cirro- 
 cumulus.] 
 
 Definition. 
 
 Indicating 
 wind. 
 
 Rain. 
 
 Change 
 
 Small. 
 
 Indicating 
 
 thunder. 
 
 Curdled. 
 
 Direction. 
 
 Packet boys. 
 
 Small. 
 Wandering. 
 
 Scattered. 
 
 When after a shower the cirro-strati open up at the zenith, 
 leaving broken or ragged edges pointing upwards, and settle 
 down gloomily and compactly on the horizon, wind will 
 follow, and will last for some time; 
 
 The waved cirro-stratus indicates heat and thunder. 
 
 Small, well-defined, roundish masses increasing from below. 
 
 Howard. 
 Commonly called " mackerel sky.'' 
 
 Mackerel sky and mares' tails 
 Make lofty ships carry low sails. 
 
 A mackerel sky denotes fair weather for that day, but rain a 
 day or two after. 
 
 Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, 
 Never long wet and never long dry. 
 
 Mackerel clouds in sky, 
 Expect more wet than dry. 
 
 Mackerel scales, 
 Furl your sails. 
 
 A mackerel sky, 
 
 Not twenty-four hours dr}'. 
 
 If small white clouds are seen to collect together, their edges 
 appearing rough, expect wind. 
 
 Before thunder, cirro-cumulus clouds often appear in very 
 dense and compact masses, in close contact. 
 
 A curdly sky 
 
 Will not leave the earth long dry. 
 
 A curdly sky 
 
 Will not be twenty-four hours dry. 
 
 When cirro-cumuli appear in winter, expect warm and wet 
 weather. When cirri threads are brushed back from a 
 southerly direction, expect rain and wind. 
 
 These clouds are called in Buckinghamshire " packet boys,' - 
 and are said to be packets of rain soon to be opened. 
 
 Small floating clouds over a bank of clouds, sign of rain. 
 
 In summer we apprehend a future storm when we see little, 
 black, loose clouds lower than the rest, wandering to and fro ; 
 when at sunrise we see several clouds gather in the west ; 
 and, on the other hand, if these clouds disperse, it speaks fair 
 weather. — Ozanam. 
 
 Fleecy clouds scattered over the sky denote storms ; but 
 clouds which rest upon one another like scales or tiles 
 portend dry and fine weather. — Bacon. 
 
Clouds. 95 
 
 A sky dappled with light clouds of the cirro-cumulus form in [Cirro- 
 
 the early morning generally leads to a fine and warm day. cumulus. \ 
 
 , Dappled. 
 
 Jenyns. r 
 
 Dappled sky is not for long. — France. 
 
 If woolly fleeces spread the heavenly way, 
 
 Be sure no rain disturbs the summer day. 
 Small white clouds, like a flock of sheep, driving north-west, Crowded. 
 indicate continued fine weather. 
 
 The cirro-cumulus, when accompanied by the cumulo-stratus, Storm. 
 is a sure indication of a coming storm. 
 
 If soft and delicate in outline, it may be followed by a Outlines. 
 continuance of fine weather ; but if dense, abundant, and 
 associated with cirrus, it signifies electrical disturbance and 
 change of wind, often resulting in thunderstorms in summer 
 or gales in winter. 
 
 High cirro-cumulus commonly appears a few hours or days High. 
 before thunderstorms. It generally moves with the prevailing 
 surface wind. The harder and more definite the outline, 
 the more unsettled the coming weather. In winter clearly 
 marked, high cirro-cumulus is a sign of bad weather. If the 
 cloud be continuous in long streaks, dense, and with rounded, 
 knobby outlines, stormy weather follows generally within two 
 or three days. 
 
 When cirro-cumulus is seen overhead, if the fleeces gently Soft. 
 
 merge into each other, and the edges are soft and transparent, 
 
 -settled weather prevails ; and if the middle part of the fleeces 
 
 look shadowy, so much the better. 
 
 Cirro-cumulus at a great height and in large masses, moving Slow. 
 
 slowly from north-east, is a sign of the continuance of the 
 
 wind in that quarter. — Hon. F. A. R. Russel. 
 
 Convex or conical heaps increasing upwards from a horizontal [Cumulus.] 
 
 base-wool-bag clouds. Definition. 
 
 In India, if a cumulus cloud have a stratum of flat cloud above Stormy. 
 it, a coming storm is indicated. 
 
 Sometimes the clouds appear to be piled in several tiers or Piled up. 
 stories, one above the other (Gilbert, Phys., iv. i, declares 
 that he has sometimes seen and observed five together), 
 whereof the lowest are always the blackest, though it some- 
 times appears otherwise, as the whiter most attract the sight. 
 Two stories, if thick, portend instant rain (especially if the 
 lower one appear overcharged) ; many tiers denote a three 
 days' rain. — Bacon. 
 
 Refreshing showers or heavier rains are near Fleecy. 
 
 When piled in fleecy heaps the clouds appear. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
9 6 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 \Cumidus.] 
 Dark, 
 
 Opening and 
 
 closing. 
 
 Round 
 
 White. 
 
 Wind. 
 
 Tower-like, 
 indicating 
 rain. 
 
 If a black cloud eclipse the solar ray, 
 And sudden night usurp the place of day, 
 As when th' obtrusive moon's dark orb is seen 
 Forcing her way the sun and earth between. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 If clouds open and close, rain will continue. 
 
 A round-topped cloud, with flattened base, 
 Carries rainfall in its face. 
 
 A white loaded cloud, called by the ancients a white tempest, 
 is followed in summer by showers of very small hail, in winter 
 by snow. — Bacon. 
 
 Cumulus clouds high up are said to show that south and 
 south-west winds are near at hand ; and stratified clouds low 
 down, that east or north winds will prevail. — Scotland. 
 
 Large irregular masses of cloud, " like rocks and towers," are 
 indicative of showery weather. If the barometer be low, rain 
 is all the more probable. — Jenyns. 
 
 When clouds appear like rocks and towers, 
 The earth's refreshed by frequent showers. 
 
 When mountains and cliffs in the clouds appear, 
 Some sudden and violent showers are near. 
 
 When the clouds rise in terraces of white, soon will the 
 country of the corn priests be pierced with the arrows of rain. 
 
 Zuni Indians. 
 
 Before rain these clouds augment in volume with great 
 rapidity, sink to a lower elevation, and become fleecy and 
 irregular in appearance, with their surfaces full of protuber- 
 ances. They usually also remain stationary, or else sail 
 against the surface wind previous to wet weather. 
 
 Banking up. When the clouds bank up the contrary way to the wind, there 
 will be rain. 
 
 If on a fair day in winter a white bank of clouds arise in the 
 south, expect snow. 
 
 The rounded clouds called " water waggons " which fly alone 
 in the lower currents of wind forebode rain. — T. Forster. 
 
 Water 
 waggons. 
 
 Diminish- 
 ing. 
 
 Wet calm. 
 
 Fair 
 weather. 
 
 When the cumulus clouds are smaller at sunset than they 
 were at noon, expect fair weather. 
 
 The formation of cumulus clouds to leeward during a strong 
 wind indicates the approach of a calm with rain. 
 
 When the cumulus clouds are smaller at sunset than they 
 were at noon, expect fair weather. 
 
Clouds. 
 
 97 
 
 If clouds are formed like fleeces, deep and dense, or thick and [Cumulus.] 
 
 close towards the middle, the edges being very white, while I"d'eating 
 the surrounding sky is bright and blue, they are of a frosty ' ■ ' 
 coldness, and will speedily fall in hail, snow, or rain. 
 
 And another storm brewing ; I hear it sing i' the wind. Yond' Storm. 
 same black cloud, yond' huge one, looks like a foul bumbard 
 that would shed his liquor. . . . Yond' same cloud cannot 
 chuse but fall by pailfuls. — Shakespeare's "Tempest." 
 
 The pocky * cloud or heavy cumulus, looking like festoons of 
 drapery, forebodes a storm. — Scotland. 
 
 In summer or harvest, when the wind has been south for two Thunder. 
 or three days, and it grows very hot, and you see clouds rise 
 with great white tops like towers, as if one were upon the 
 top of another, and joined together with black on the nether 
 side, there will be thunder and rain suddenly. If two such 
 clouds arise, one on either hand, it is time to make haste to 
 shelter. — Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 When cumulus clouds become heaped up to leeward during 
 a strong wind at sunset, thunder may be expected during the 
 night. 
 
 Well-defined cumuli, forming a* few hours after sunrise, in- Changing. 
 creasing towards the middle of the day, and decreasing 
 towards evening, are indicative of settled weather : if instead 
 of subsiding in the evening and leaving the sky clear they 
 keep increasing, they are indicative of wet. — Jenyns. 
 
 The cirro-stratus blended with the cumulus, and either 
 appearing intermixed with the heaps of the latter, or super- 
 adding a widespread structure to its base. — Howard. 
 
 [Cumulo- 
 
 STRATUS.] 
 
 Definition. 
 
 When large masses of cumulo-strati cloud collect simul- Collecting. 
 taneously in the north-east and south-west, with the wind 
 east, expect cold rain or snow in the course of a few hours. 
 The wind will ultimately back to north. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 When at sea, if the cumulo-stratus clouds appear on the 
 horizon, it is a sign that the weather is going to break up. 
 
 If there be long points, tails, or feathers hanging from the 
 thunder or rain clouds, five or six or more degrees above the 
 horizon, with little wind in summer, thunder may be expected, 
 but the storm will be of short duration. 
 
 A horizontal streak or band of clouds immediately in front Streak. 
 of the mountains on the east side of Salt Lake Valley is an 
 
 On horizon. 
 
 Tails or 
 feathers. 
 
 * Pod;, a bag. 
 
9 s 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 \Cumulo- 
 stratus.] 
 
 Striped. 
 
 [Nimbus.] 
 Definition. 
 
 Rain. 
 
 Prophet 
 clouds. 
 
 Storm. 
 
 [Stratus. 
 Definition. 
 
 Fine. 
 
 Night. 
 
 On 
 
 mountains. 
 
 Fair 
 weather. 
 
 Oh hills. 
 
 indication of rain within one or two days. When black clouds 
 cover the western horizon, rain will follow soon, and extend 
 to the eastward over the valley. — United States. 
 
 If long strips of clouds drive at a slow rate high in air, and 
 gradually become larger, the sky having been previously clear, 
 expect rain. 
 
 A rain cloud — a cloud or system of clouds from which rain is 
 falling. It is a horizontal sheet over which the cirrus spreads, 
 while the cumulus enters it laterally and from beneath. 
 
 By watering He wearieth the thick cloud. — Job xxxvii. II. 
 
 When scattered patches or streaks of nimbus come driving 
 up from the south-west, they are called by the sailors 
 " prophet clouds," and indicate wind. 
 
 If a little cloud suddenly appear in a clear sky, especially if it 
 come from the west, or somewhere in the south, there is a 
 storm brewing. — Bacon. 
 
 A widely extended, continuous, horizontal sheet, increasing 
 from below. — Howard. 
 
 These clouds have always been regarded as the harbingers of 
 fine weather, and there are few finer days in the] year than 
 when the morning breaks out through a disappearing stratus 
 cloud. 
 
 A stratus at night, with a generally diffused fog the next 
 morning, is usually followed by a fine day, if the barometer 
 be high and steady. If the barometer keep rising, the fog 
 may last all day ; if the barometer be low, the fog will 
 probably turn to rain. — Jenyns. 
 
 When mountains extend north and south, if fog or mist comes 
 from the west, expect fair weather. If mist comes from the 
 top of mountains, expect rain in summer, snow in winter. 
 
 Apache Indians. 
 
 Thin, white, fleecy, broken mist, slowly ascending the sides of 
 a mountain whose top is uncovered, predicts a fair day. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 If towers to sight, uncapt, the mountain's head, 
 While on its base a vapoury veil is spread, 
 [Fair weather follows]. — J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 ■ to the hilltops and there stay, expect rain 
 
 If mist 
 shortly. 
 
 When the mist comes from the hill, 
 Then good weather it doth spill ; 
 When the mist comes from the sea, 
 Then good weather it will be. 
 
Clouds. 99 
 
 When the mist creeps up the hill, [Stratus.] 
 
 Fisher, out and try your skill ; On hills. 
 
 When the mist begins to nod, 
 Fisher, then put past your rod. — Kirkcudbright. 
 
 Misty clouds, forming or hanging on heights, show wind and Rising and 
 rain coming, if they remain, increase, or descend. If they facing- 
 rise or disperse, the weather will improve. — Fitzroy. 
 
 Clouds upon hills, if rising, do not bring rain ; if falling, rain 
 follows. 
 
 When the clouds on the hilltops are thick and in motion, Thick. 
 rain to the south-west is regarded as certain to follow. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 When it gangs up i' fops,* Small. 
 
 It'll fa' down i' drops. — North Country. 
 
 When mountains and hills appear capped by clouds that hang Hanging. 
 about and embrace them, storms are imminent. — Bacon. 
 
 When the clouds go up the hill, Ascending. 
 
 They'll send down water to turn a mill. 
 
 Hampshire. 
 
 When the clouds are upon the hills, 
 They'll come down by the mills. 
 
 When the Pendle's Head is free from clouds, the people there- Pendle's 
 about expect a halcyon day, and those on the banks of the ""*". 
 Can (or Kent) in Westmoreland can tell what weather to 
 look for from the voice of its falls. 
 
 For when they to the north the noise do easliest hear, 
 
 They constantly aver the weather will be clear. 
 
 And when they to the south, again they boldly say 
 
 It will be clouds or rain the next approaching day. 
 
 Drayton's " Polyolbion." 
 
 When Wolsonbury has a cap, Wolsonbury. 
 
 Hurstpierpoint will have a drap. — Sussex. 
 
 Clouds on Ross-shire Hills mean rain at Ardersier on the Ross. 
 south-east of the Moray Frith. 
 
 Clouds on Bell Rock Light mean rain at Arbroath. Bell Rock. 
 
 Clouds on Orkney Isles mean rain at Cape Wrath. Orkney. 
 
 Clouds on Kilpatrick Hills mean rain at Eaglesham, in Kilpatrick 
 Renfrewshire. Hills. 
 
 Clouds on Ailsa Craig mean rain at Cumbrae. Ailsa Craig. 
 
 * Small clouds on hills. 
 
IOO 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Stratus.] 
 Cape Town. 
 Bever. 
 
 Skiddaw. 
 
 Moncayo. 
 Traprain. 
 
 Ruberslaw, 
 
 Falkland 
 Hill, 
 Lomond 
 Range. 
 
 Cheviot. 
 Largo Law. 
 
 Cairnsmore. 
 
 Corsancone. 
 
 Sailors say it is a sign of bad weather when the " tablecloth " 
 (a cloud so called) is spread on Table Mountain. 
 
 If Bever hath a cap, 
 
 You churls of the vale look to that. 
 
 Leicestershire. 
 
 If Skiddaw hath a hat, 
 
 Scruffel wots full well of that. — Cumberland. 
 
 When Skiddaw hath a cap, 
 
 Criffel wots fu' well of that. 
 
 Heavy clouds on Skiddaw, especially with a south wind, the 
 farmer of Kirkpatrick Fleming looks on as an indication of 
 coming rain. 
 [Note. — Skiddaw lies to the south of the place.] 
 
 When Moncayo and Guara have their white caps on, 
 It is good for Castile and better for Aragon. — Spanish. 
 When Traprain puts on his hat, 
 The Lothian lads may look to that. 
 
 Haddingtonshire. 
 When Ruberslaw puts on his cowl, 
 
 The Dunion on his hood, 
 Then a' the wives of Teviotside 
 
 Ken there will be a flood. — Roxburghshire. 
 [Also said of Craigowl and Collie Law in Forfarshire, 
 substituting " Lundy lads " for "the wives of Teviot- 
 side." — Robert Chambers.] 
 
 When Falkland Hill puts on his cap, 
 The Howe o' Fife will get a drap ; 
 And when the Bishop draws his cowl, 
 Look out for wind and weather foul. 
 When Cheviot ye see put on his cap, 
 Of rain ye'll have a wee bit drap. — Scotland. 
 When Largo Law puts on his hat, 
 Let Kellie Law beware of that ; 
 When Kellie Law gets on his cap, 
 Largo Law may laugh at that. — Scotland. 
 [Note. — Largo Law is to the south-west of Kellie Law.] 
 When Cairnsmore wears a hat. 
 The Macher's Rills may laugh at that. 
 [Note. — Cairnsmore is north-north-east of Macher's Rills, 
 Wigtownshire, Scotland.] 
 
 If Corsancone put on his cap, and the Knipe be clear, it will 
 
 rain within twenty-four hours. 
 
 [Note. — This is a sign which it is said never fails. Cor- 
 sancone Hill is to the east and the Knipe to the 
 south-west of the New Cumnock districts, where the 
 proverb is current.] 
 
Mists. 
 
 101 
 
 A cloud on Sidlavv Hills foretells rain to Carmylie. 
 „ Bin Hill ,, ,, „ Cullen. 
 
 „ Paps of Jura ,, „ ,, \ Gigha and 
 
 „ Mull of Kintyre „ ,, „ * Cara. 
 
 The rolling of clouds landward and their gathering about the 
 summit of Criffel is regarded as a sign of foul weather in 
 Dumfries and Kirkpatrick Fleming, and intervening parishes. 
 [Note. — Criffel is to the south-west of the place.] 
 
 There is a high wooded hill above Lochnaw Castle ; 
 Take care when Lady Craighill puts on her mantle. 
 The Lady looks high and knows what is coming ; 
 Delay not one moment to get under covering. 
 [Note. — The hill lies to the north-west of the district where 
 this doggerel is quoted.] 
 
 [Stratus.] 
 
 Scotch 
 
 Hills. 
 
 Criffel 
 
 Craighill. 
 
 If Riving Pike do wear a hood, 
 Be sure the day will ne'er be good. 
 
 Hiving Pike. 
 
 Lancashire. 
 
 A cloud, called the "helm cloud," or "helm bar," hovering Helm cloud. 
 about the hilltops for a day or two, is said to presage wind 
 and rain. — Yorkshire. 
 
 If Roseberry Topping wears a cap, 
 Let Cleveland then beware of a rap. 
 
 When Bredon Hill puts on his hat, 
 Ye men of the vale, beware of that. 
 
 Worcestershire . 
 
 When Hall Down has a hat, 
 
 Let Kenton beware of a skat [shower]. 
 
 Roseberry 
 Topping. 
 
 Bredon 
 Hill. 
 
 Hall Down. 
 
 When Lookout Mountain has its cap on, it will rain in six Lookout. 
 hours. — United States. 
 
 /llMsts. 
 
 If mists and fogs ascend and return upwards, they denote Mists. 
 
 rain ; and if this take place suddenly, so that they appear to Disappear- 
 
 be sucked up, they foretell winds ; but if they fall and rest ing. 
 in the valleys, it will be fine weather. — Bacon. 
 
 Wherever there is a plentiful generation of vapours, and that Vapours and 
 at certain times, you may be sure 
 periodical winds will arise. — Bacon. 
 
 that at those times 
 
 winds. 
 
 White mist in winter indicates frost. — Scotland. 
 
 White. 
 
102 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Mist] 
 Black. 
 
 Mist and 
 rain. 
 
 In low 
 
 River. 
 
 Rising. 
 
 Spreading 
 
 Misty 
 morning. 
 
 Haze. 
 
 Clearing. 
 
 Black mist indicates coming rain. 
 Mists above, water below. — Spanish. 
 
 If mists rise in low ground and soon vanish, expect fair 
 weather. — Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 A white mist in the evening, over a meadow with a river, will 
 be drawn up by the sun next morning, and the day will be 
 bright. Five or six fogs successively drawn up portend rain. 
 
 Where there are high hills, and the mist which hangs over 
 the lower lands draws towards the hills in the morning, and 
 rolls up to the top, it will be fair ; but if the mist hangs 
 upon the hills, and drags along the woods, there will be 
 rain.— Rev. W. Jones. 
 
 In the evenings of autumn and spring, vapour arising from a 
 river is regarded as a sure indication of coming frost. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 Mists dispersing on the plain, 
 Scatter away the clouds and rain ; 
 But when they rise to the mountain tops, 
 They'll soon descend in copious drops. 
 
 Three foggy or misty mornings indicate rain. — Oregon. 
 
 Haze and western sky purple indicate fair weather. 
 
 Hazy weather is thought to prognosticate frost in winter, 
 snow in spring, fair weather in summer, and rain in autumn. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 A sudden haze coming over the atmosphere is due to the 
 mixing of two currents of unequal temperatures : it may end 
 in rain, or in an increase of temperature ; or it may be the 
 precursor of a change, though not immediate. — Jenyns. 
 
 When the landscape looks clear, having your back towards the 
 sun, expect fine weather ; but when it looks clear with your 
 face towards the sun, expect showery, unsettled weather. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 Dew. 
 
 Dew. The dews of the evening industriously shun ; 
 
 Evening. They're the tears of the sky for the loss of the sun. 
 
 If the dew lies plentifully on the grass after a fair day, it is a 
 sign of another. If not, and there is no wind, rain must 
 follow. — Rev. W. Jones. 
 
Fog. 103 
 
 When in the morning the dew is heavy and remains long on Dew and 
 the grass, when the fog in the valleys is slowly dispersed and fog- 
 lingers on the hillsides, when the clouds seem to be taking a 
 higher place, and when a few loose cirro-strati float gently 
 along, serene weather may be expected for the greater part of 
 that day. — Scotland. 
 
 If in clear summer nights there is no dew, expect rain next Night. 
 
 day. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 Fine 
 Dew is an indication of fine weather ; so is fog. — Fitzroy. weather. 
 
 Dew is produced in serene weather and in calm places. Calm. 
 
 Aristotle. 
 
 If the dew is evaporated immediately upon the sun rising, Dispersing. 
 rain and storm follow in the afternoon ; but if it stays and 
 glitters for a long time after sunrise, the day continues fair. 
 De Quincey's " Note to Analects from Richter." 
 
 If there is a profuse dew in summer, it is about seven to one Profuse. 
 that the weather will be fine. — E. J. Lowe. 
 
 With dew before midnight, Evening. 
 
 The next day will sure be bright. 
 
 During summer a heavy dew is sometimes followed by a South wind. 
 southerly wind in the afternoon. 
 
 If there is a heavy dew, it indicates fair weather; no dew, it Heavy. 
 indicates rain. 
 
 If nights three dewless there be, Rain. 
 
 'Twill rain you're sure to see. 
 
 When the dew is seen shining on the leaves, the mist rolled Mountain. 
 down from the mountain last night. — Zuni Indians. 
 
 When there is no dew at such times as usually there is, it No dew. 
 foreshoweth rain. — Wing, 1649. 
 
 JfOfl. 
 
 When the fog falls, fair weather follows ; when it rises, rain Fog . 
 
 ensues. Falling. 
 
 In the Mississippi valley, when fogs occur in August, expect August. 
 
 fever and ague in the following fall. 
 
 If there be a damp fog or mist, accompanied by wind, expect Damp. 
 
 rain. 
 
 Light fog passing under sun from south to north in the Light. 
 
 morning indicates rain in twenty-four or forty-eight hours. 
 
 If there be continued fog, expect frost.— United States. With frost. 
 
io4 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Fog.] 
 Hunting 
 
 When the fog goes up the mountain, you may go hunting ; 
 when it comes down the mountain, you may go fishing. In 
 the former case it will be fair, in the latter it will rain. 
 
 Fogs are signs of a change. 
 
 Heavy fog in winter, when it hangs below trees, is followed 
 by rain. 
 
 Fog from seaward, fair weather; fog from landward, rain. 
 
 New England. 
 A fog from the sea 
 Brings honey to the bee ; 
 A fog from the hills 
 Brings corn to the mills. 
 
 Pembrokeshire. 
 
 Hanging. When with hanging fog smoke rises vertically, rain follows. 
 
 Change. 
 Winter. 
 
 Sea, 
 
 Sea and 
 hills. 
 
 Sky. 
 Clear. 
 Foul. 
 
 Hazy. 
 
 Greenish. 
 
 Blue space. 
 
 A very clear sky without clouds is not to be trusted, unless 
 the barometer be high. — Jenyns. 
 
 So foul a sky clears not without a storm. 
 
 Shakespeare's "King John." 
 
 One of the surest signs of rain with which I am acquainted is 
 that of the sky assuming an almost colourless appearance in 
 the direction of the wind, especially if lines of dark or muddy 
 cirro-strati lie above and about the horizon and the milkiness 
 gradually becomes muddy. — E. J. Lowe. 
 
 If the sky is of a deep, clear blue or a sea-green colour near 
 the horizon, rain will follow in showers. 
 
 In winter, when the sky at midday has a greenish appearance 
 to the east or north-east, snow and frost are expected. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 When the sky in rainy weather is tinged with sea-green, the 
 rain will increase ; if with deep blue, it will be showery. 
 
 Rev. W. Jones. 
 
 A small cloudless place in the north-east horizon is regarded 
 both by seamen and landsmen as a certain precursor of fine 
 weather or a clearing up. — Scotland. 
 
 Enough blue sky in the north-west to make a Scotchman a 
 jacket is a sign of approaching clear weather ; and the same 
 is said satirically of a Highlandman's " breeks." 
 
 When as much blue is seen in the sky as will make a Dutch- 
 man's jacket (or a sailor's breeches), the weather will clear. 
 
Air — Sozmd. 
 
 105 
 
 Clear in the south beguiled the cadger. — Scotland. 
 
 If there be a dark grey sky with a south wind, expect frost. 
 
 If the sky become darker, without much rain, and divides 
 
 into two layers of clouds, expect sudden gusts of wind. 
 
 A dark, gloomy blue sky is windy ; but a light, bright blue 
 
 sky indicates fine weather. When the sky is of a sickly 
 
 looking, greenish hue, wind or rain may be expected. 
 
 Fitzroy. 
 From Dumfries to Gretna a lurid, yellowish sky in the east or 
 south-east is called a Carlisle or Carle sky, and is regarded as 
 a sure sign of rain. — Scotland. 
 
 The Carle sky 
 Keeps not the head dry. 
 In Kincardine of Monteith, and in all that district, the reflection 
 from the clouds, of the furnaces of the Devon and Carron 
 works (to the east) foretells rain next day. — Scotland. 
 The glare of the distant Ayrshire ironworks being seen at 
 night from Cumbrae on Rothesay, rain is expected next day. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 Htr. 
 
 Much undulation in the air on a hot day in May or June 
 foretells cold. — Scotland. 
 
 The farther the sight the nearer the rain. 
 When the distant hills are more than usually distinct, rain 
 approaches. 
 
 The cliffs and promontories of the shore appear higher and 
 the dimensions of all objects seem larger when the south-east 
 wind is blowing. — Aristotle. 
 
 When the Lizard is clear, 
 
 Rain is near. — Cornwall 
 The unusual elevation of distant coasts, masts of ships, etc., 
 particularly when the refracted images are inverted, are 
 known to be frequent foreboders of stormy weather. 
 When the Isle of Wight is seen from Brighton or Worthing, 
 expect rain soon. 
 A mirage is followed by a rain. — New England. 
 
 Sounfc. 
 
 A good hearing day is a sign of wet. 
 
 There is a sound of abundance of rain. — Elijah. 
 The ringing of bells is heard at a greater distance before rain ; 
 but before wind it is heard more unequally, the sound coming 
 and going, as we hear it when the wind is blowing per- 
 ceptibly. — Bacon. 
 
 [Sky.] 
 Clear. 
 Grey. 
 
 Dark. 
 
 Colours. 
 
 Carlisle. 
 
 Reflecting. 
 
 Air. 
 
 Undulation. 
 
 Clearness. 
 
 Lizard 
 Point. 
 
 Shipping. 
 
 Isle of 
 Wight. 
 
 Sound. 
 
 Bells. 
 
io6 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Sound.'] 
 In air. 
 
 Air. 
 
 On shore. 
 
 The calling 
 of the sea. 
 
 Pons-an- 
 dane. 
 
 Rosehearty. 
 
 Fortingal. 
 
 Travelling. 
 
 Monzie. 
 
 Dysart. 
 
 A sound from the mountains, an increasing murmur in the 
 woods, and likewise a kind of crashing noise in the plains, 
 portend winds. An extraordinary noise in the sky when 
 there is no thunder is principally due to winds. — Bacon. 
 
 A sound in air presaged approaching rain, 
 And beast to covert scud across the plain. 
 
 Thomas Parnell. 
 
 The shores sounding in a calm, and the sea beating with a 
 murmur or an echo louder and clearer than usual, are signs 
 of wind. — Bacon. 
 
 A murmuring or roaring noise, sometimes heard several miles 
 inland during a calm, in the direction from which the wind is 
 about to spring up. 
 
 When Pons-an-dane calls to Larrigan river. 
 
 There will be fine weather ; 
 
 But when Larrigan calls to Pons-an-dane, 
 
 There will be rain. — Cornwall. 
 [Note. — Streams entering the sea north-east and south-west 
 of Penzance, about one mile and a half apart, Pons- 
 an-dane being north-east. — Richard Edmonds.] 
 
 If the " sang " of the sea is heard coming from the west by the 
 fishermen of Rosehearty in the morning, when they get out of 
 bed to examine the state of the weather, whether favourable 
 or unfavourable to fishing, it is regarded as an indication of 
 fine weather for the day, and accordingly they sometimes go 
 farther to sea. — Walter Gregor in " Folk-Lore Journal." 
 
 In Fortingal (Perthshire), if in calm weather the sound of 
 the rapids on the Lyon is distinctly heard, and if the sound 
 descends with the stream, rainy weather is at hand ; but if 
 the sound goes up the stream, and dies away in the distance, 
 it is a sign of continued dry weather, or a clearing up, if 
 previously thick. 
 
 Sound travelling far and wide, 
 A stormy day will betide. 
 
 When the people of Monzie (Perthshire) hear the sound of 
 the waterfalls of Shaggie or the roar of the distant Turret 
 clearly and loudly, a storm is expected; but if the sound 
 seems to recede from the ear till it is lost in the distance, 
 and if the weather is thick, a change to fair may be looked 
 for speedily. 
 
 In the collieries about Dysart, and in some others, it is thought 
 by the miners that before a storm of wind a sound not 
 
Tide, etc. 10J 
 
 unlike that of a bagpipe or the buzz of the bee comes from [Soum/.] 
 the mineral, and that previous to a fall of rain the sound is 
 more subdued. — Sir A. Mitchell. 
 
 Sounds are heard with unusual clearness before a storm. Whistle. 
 The railway whistle, for instance, seems remarkably shrill. 
 
 TCi&e, etc. 
 
 Showers occur more frequently at the turn of the tide. Tide. 
 
 Storms burst as the tide turns. — South Atlantic Coast. Storms. 
 
 If, after the first ebb of the tide, it flows again for a little 
 while, a storm approaches. — Scotch Coast. 
 
 The sea swelling silently and rising higher than usual in the Wind. 
 harbour, or the tide coming in quicker than ordinary, prog- 
 nosticates wind. — Bacon. 
 
 If it raineth at tide's flow, Ebb and 
 
 You may safely go and mow ; flow. 
 
 But if it raineth at the ebb, 
 Then, if you like, go off to bed. 
 
 Rain is likely to commence on the turn of the tide. Turn. 
 
 In threatening weather it is more apt to rain at the turn of Rain, 
 the tide, especially at high water. 
 
 If, during the absence of wind, the surface of the sea becomes Swell. 
 
 agitated by a long rolling swell, a gale may be expected. 
 
 This is well known to seamen. 
 
 On the west coast a heavy surf is considered the sure fore- Surf. 
 
 runner of a storm ; while on the east a peculiar ripple, called 
 
 a "twine," along the surface is known to precede a gale 
 
 from the south-east. 
 
 Just before a storm the sea heaves and sighs. — Fitzroy. Sigh of sea. 
 
 A river flood, Flood - 
 
 Fishers' good.— Spanish. 
 
 If the river Tweed rise without rain, it foretells the same Twecn. 
 
 within twelve hours. 
 
 When the surface of the sea in harbour appears calm, and Sea appears 
 
 yet there is a murmuring noise within it, although there is no ca m ' 
 
 swell, a wind is coming. — Bacon. 
 
 When the foam of the sea retreats or goes out (" works oot "), Sea foam. 
 
 it is said to be " leukin for mair " ; and more stormy weather 
 
 is looked upon as at hand at Rosehearty. 
 
 Walter Gregor in " Folk-Lore Journal." 
 
io8 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Sea foam. Glittering foam (called " sea lungs ") in a heavy sea foretells 
 that the storm will last many days. — Bacon. 
 
 Bubbles. If foam, white circles of froth, or bubbles of water, appear 
 
 here and there on a calm and smooth sea, they prognosticate 
 ■wind. If these signs be more striking, they denote severe 
 storms. — Bacon. 
 
 River foam. 
 
 Much foam in a river foretells a storm. — Scotland. 
 
 Phosphor- 
 escence of 
 waves. 
 
 Sudden 
 changes of 
 temperature. 
 
 When the phosphorescence of the sea is seen during a dark 
 night on the breast of the roll, or on the water as it breaks 
 on the rocks, it is looked upon as an indication of coming 
 foul weather. — " Folk-Lore Journal." 
 Waterspouts. Waterspouts are not produced in cold weather. — Aristotle. 
 
 A sudden increase in the temperature of the air sometimes 
 denotes rain ; and again a sudden change to cold sometimes 
 forebodes the same thing. — Bacon. 
 
 A sudden and extreme change of temperature of the atmo- 
 sphere, either from heat to cold, or cold to heat, is generally 
 followed by rain within twenty-four hours. — Dalton. 
 
 Temperature. A high temperature, with a high dew-point, and the wind 
 south or south-west, is likely to produce a thunderstorm. 
 If the mercury falls much previous to the storm, the latter 
 is likely to be succeeded by a change oi weather. Some- 
 times heavy thunderstorms take place overhead without any 
 fall of the mercury : in this case a reduction of temperature 
 does not usually follow. — Belville. 
 
 "Weather 
 breeders." 
 
 Damp heat. 
 
 Fine warm days are called " weather breeders." 
 
 What is called "foul air," accompanied by the cheeping of 
 small birds, foreshows a gale from the south or south-east. 
 
 Kintyre. 
 
 Rain. 
 
 1Ratn. 
 
 Rain comes from a mass of vapour which is cooled. 
 
 Aristotle. 
 
 Mountains. Mountains cool the uplifted vapour, converting it again into 
 water. — Aristotle. 
 
 Wind. When God wills, it rains with any wind. — Spanish. 
 
 Calm. More rain, more rest ; 
 
 Fine weather not the best. — Nautical. 
 
 Some rain, some rest ; 
 
 Fine weather isn't always best. 
 Changes. No one so surely pays his debt 
 
 As wet to dry and dry to wet. — Wiltshire. 
 
Rain. 109 
 
 With the rain of the north-east comes the ice fruit [hail]. [Rain.] 
 
 Zuni Indians. North-east. 
 
 Rain from the north-east in Germany continues three days. 
 
 Rain from the east, East. 
 
 Two days at least. 
 Rain from the south prevents the drought ; South. 
 
 But rain from the west is always best. 
 
 Rain which sets in with a south wind on the North Pacific 
 coast will probably last. 
 
 If it begin to rain from the south, with a high wind, for two 
 or three hours, and the wind falls, but the rain continues, it 
 is likely to rain twelve hours or more, and does usually rain 
 till a north wind clears the air. These long rains seldom 
 hold above twelve hours, or happen above once a year. 
 
 Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 Rain with south or south-west thunder brings squalls on 
 successive days. 
 
 When rain comes from the west, it will not last long. West. 
 
 United States. 
 
 When rain squalls break to the westward, it is a sign of foul Squalls. 
 weather. When they break to the leeward, it is a sign of fair 
 weather. — North-East Coast, United States. 
 
 The faster the rain, the quicker the hold up. — Norfolk. Short. 
 
 Rain long foretold, long last ; Long 
 
 Short notice, soon past. foretold. 
 
 Small showers last long, but sudden storms are short. Small 
 Shakespeare's " Richard II." showers. 
 
 Rain before seven, Morning. 
 
 Lift before eleven. 
 
 If rain begins at early morning light, 
 
 'Twill end ere day at noon is bright. 
 
 Morning rains are soon past. — France. 
 
 The following rules are believed in by some with respect to Rules. 
 the times of rain : — 
 
 If rain commences before daylight, it will hold up before 8 a.m. ; 
 if it begins about noon, it will continue through the afternoon ; 
 if it commences after 9 p.m., it will rain the next day; if it 
 clears off in the night, it will rain the next day; if the wind 
 is from the north-west or south-west, the storm will be short ; 
 if from the north-east, it will be a hard one ; if from the north- 
 west a cold one, and from the south-west a warm one. If it 
 ceases after 12 a.m., it will rain next day ; if it ceases before 
 12 a.m., it will be clear next day. If it begins about 5 p.m., 
 it will rain through the night. 
 
no 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Rain.] 
 Custom. 
 
 tiejore 
 sunrise. 
 
 Dew. 
 
 Drizzle. 
 
 Midnight. 
 
 Rain and 
 wind. 
 
 Three days' 
 rain. 
 
 Small. 
 Sudden. 
 
 From 
 
 mountains. 
 
 Uncertain. 
 
 Sunshine 
 
 In Burmah the inhabitants have a custom of pulling a rope to 
 produce rain. A rain party and a drought party tug against 
 each other, the rain party being allowed the victory, which in 
 the popular notion is generally followed by rain. 
 
 " Folk- Lore Journal," Vol. I., p. 214. 
 
 If it begin to rain an hour or two before sunrising, it is likely 
 to be fair before noon, and so continue that day ; but if the 
 rain begin an hour after sunrising, it is likely to rain all that 
 day, except the rainbow be seen before it rains. 
 
 Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 Rain a short time before sunrise will be followed at least by 
 a fine afternoon ; but rain soon after sunrise, generally by a 
 wet day. 
 If the rain falls on the dew, it will fall all day. — Bergamo. 
 
 A fall of small drizzling rain, especially in the morning, is a 
 sure sign of wind to follow. — Newhaven. 
 
 If it rain at midnight with a south wind, it will generally last 
 above twelve hours. 
 
 After rains, the wind most often blows in the places where the 
 rain falls, and winds often cease when rain begins to fall. 
 
 Aristotle. 
 
 A hasty shower of rain falling when the wind has raged some 
 hours, soon allays it. — Pointer. 
 
 Small rain abates high wind. — France. 
 
 Marry the rain to the wind, and you have a calm. 
 
 The wise have in mind the three days' wind, 
 
 That foretells the stormy rain ; ■ 
 And to them the care how they then shall fare 
 
 Is about the thought of gain. — Cary's " Pindar." 
 
 A small rain may allay a great storm. — T. Fuller. 
 
 Sudden rains never last long ; but when the air grows thick 
 by degrees, and the sun, moon, and stars shine dimmer and 
 dimmer, then it is likely to rain six hours usually. 
 
 Shepherd of Banbury. 
 
 They are wet with the showers of the mountains. — Job xxiv. 8. 
 
 It rains by planets. 
 
 To talk of the weather, it's nothing but folly ; 
 
 For when it's rain on the hill, it may be sun in the valley. 
 
 If it rains when the sun shines, it will rain the next day. 
 
 If it rains while the sun is shining, the devil is beating his 
 grandmother. He is laughing, and she is crying. 
 
Rainbow. 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 After rain comes sunshine. 
 Sunshine and shower, rain again to-morrow. 
 If it rain when the the sun shines, it will surely rain the next 
 day about the same hour. — Suffolk. 
 
 A sunshiny shower 
 
 Never lasts half an hour. — Bedfordshire. 
 
 Sunshiny rain 
 
 Will soon go again. — Devonshire. 
 
 \\\i&a fine, take your unbrella. 
 
 When raining, please yourself. — Dr. Johnson. 
 
 If short showers come during dry weather, they are said to 
 " harden the drought" and indicate no change. — Scotland. 
 
 There is usually fair weather before a settled course of rain. 
 
 Fitzroy. 
 
 A foot deep of rain 
 
 Will kill hay and grain ; 
 
 But three feet of snow 
 
 Will make them come mo [more]. — Devonshire. 
 
 If hail appear after a long course of rain, it is a sign of 
 
 clearing up. — Scotland. 
 
 "Agree between yourselves," quoth Arlotto, "and I will make 
 
 it rain." — Italian. 
 
 Who soweth in rain, he shall reap it with tears. — Tusser. 
 
 When it rains, they say in Amorgos, " God is emptying His 
 
 bowl," the prevalent idea being that God, like Zeus of 
 
 antiquity, has a bowl or receptacle full of water, which He 
 
 shakes, and then clouds come out ; these fall on the earth as 
 
 rain or snow. — T. Bent (Greece). 
 
 Though it rains, do not neglect to water. — Spanish. 
 
 After great droughts come great rains. — Dutch. 
 
 Wet continues, if the ground dries up too soon. 
 
 [Rain.] 
 Sunshine. 
 
 Umbrella. 
 
 Showers 
 short. 
 
 Preceded 
 by fair 
 weather. 
 Rain and 
 snow. 
 
 Followed by 
 hail. 
 
 Desired. 
 
 Sowing. 
 
 Bowl of 
 Zeus. 
 
 Watering. 
 Drought. . 
 Continued. 
 
 tRafnbow. 
 
 The old Norsemen called the rainbow " The bridge of the Rainbow. 
 
 gods." — C. Swainson. 
 
 A rainbow can only occur when the clouds containing or East and 
 
 depositing the rain are opposite to the sun; and in the west 
 
 evening the rainbow is in the east, and in the morning in the 
 
 west ; and as our heavy rains in this climate are usually 
 
 brought by the westerly wind, a rainbow in the west indicates 
 
 that the bad weather is on the road, whereas the rainbow in 
 
 the east proves that the rain in these clouds is passing from 
 
 us . — Sir Humphry Davy in " Salmonia." 
 
112 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Rainbow.'] 
 In cloud. 
 
 In spring. 
 
 In wind's 
 eye. 
 
 Windward. 
 
 Fair and 
 foul. 
 
 Morning 
 and evening. 
 
 When a rainbow is formed in an approaching cloud, expect a 
 shower ; but when in a receding cloud, fine weather. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 A rainbow in spring indicates fair weather for twenty-four 
 hours. 
 
 When a rainbow appears in wind's eye, rain is sure to follow. 
 
 Rainbow to windward, foul fall the day ; 
 Rainbow to leeward, damp runs away. — Nautical. 
 
 If a rainbow appear in fair weather, foul will follow ; but if a 
 rainbow appear in foul weather, fair will follow. 
 
 Rainbow in morning shows that shower is west of us, and that 
 we shall probably get it. Rainbow in the evening shows that 
 shower is east of us, and is passing off. — United States. 
 
 The weather's taking up now, 
 
 For yonder's the weather gaw ; * 
 How bonny is the east now ! 
 
 Now the colours fade awa ! . — Galloway. 
 
 A dog in the morning, 
 Sailor, take warning ; 
 A dog in the night 
 Is the sailor's delight. 
 
 [A sun dog, in nautical language, is a small rainbow near the 
 horizon. — Roper.] 
 
 A rainbow in the morn, put your hook in the corn ; 
 A rainbow in the eve, put your hook in the sheave. 
 
 Cornwall. 
 
 If there be a rainbow in the eve. 
 
 It will rain and leave ; 
 
 But if there be a rainbow in the morrow, 
 
 It will neither lend nor borrow. 
 
 A rainbow in the morning 
 Is the shepherd's warning ; 
 A rainbow at night 
 Is the shepherd's delight. 
 
 The rainbow in the marnin' 
 Gives the shepherd warnin' 
 
 To car' his gurt cwoat on his back ; 
 The rainbow at night is the shepherd's delight, 
 
 For then no gurt cwoat will he lack. 
 
 Wiltshire. 
 
 * Fragmentary rainbow. 
 
Rainbow. 
 
 "3 
 
 Low. 
 Colours. 
 
 Blue. 
 Various. 
 
 Indications. 
 
 A rainbow in the west brings dew and light showers ; a [Rainbow.' 
 rainbow in the east promises fair weather. — Seneca. Direction. 
 
 [The same author mentions a rainbow in the south, though 
 he does not say how this can be.] 
 
 When the rainbow does not reach down to the water, clear High. 
 weather will follow. 
 
 A bow low down on the mountains is a bad sign for the crops. 
 If seen at a great distance, it indicates fair weather. 
 
 When a perfect rainbow shows only two principal colours, 
 which are generally red and yellow, expect fair weather for 
 several days. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 If a blue colour should predominate, the air is clearing. 
 
 These colours [of the rainbow] are almost the only ones 
 which the painters cannot reproduce. They try to obtain 
 some by various mixtures ; but the red, the green, and the violet 
 cannot be the result of a mixture. And it is these colours 
 which we see in a rainbow. — Aristotle. 
 
 [Red, green, and violet are now again considered as the true 
 primary colours. — R. I.] 
 
 If the green be large and bright in the rainbow, it is a sign of 
 continued rain. If red be the strongest colour, there will be 
 rain and wind together. After much wet weather the rainbow 
 indicates a clearing up. If the bow disappears all at once, 
 there will follow serene and settled weather. The bow in the 
 morning, rain will follow ; if at noon, heavy rain ; if at night, 
 fair weather. The appearance of double or triple bows 
 indicates fair weather for the present, but heavy rains soon. 
 Aristotle knew of the two rainbows having the colours in the 
 reverse order, as he speaks of the red being outside the inner 
 bow and inside the outer one. He also says there are never 
 more than two bows. 
 
 When the rainbow is broad, with the prismatic colours very 
 distinct, and green or blue predominating, expect much rain 
 the succeeding night. If the red colour is conspicuous and the 
 last to disappear, expect both rain and wind. — C. L. Prince. 
 The peasants of Anaphi are said to know how to foretell the 
 crops by the colours of the rainbows. If red prevails, the crop 
 of grapes will be abundant ; if green, that of olives ; if yellow, 
 that of corn. A rainbow in the morning denotes luck ; in the 
 evening, woe. It is called the "nun's girdle." 
 
 T. Bent (Greece). 
 
 The rainbow, after a long drought, is the precursor of a 
 decided change to wet weather ; and it happens also that a 
 perfect bow, after an unsettled time, is a precursor of fair 
 weather. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 Double. 
 
 Broad. 
 
 Prevailing 
 colours. 
 
 After 
 drought. 
 
ii4 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Rainbow.] If the rainbow forms and disappears suddenly, the prismatic 
 Suddenly colours being but slightly discernible, expect fair weather 
 appearing. next day ,_ C L . p RINCE . 
 
 Frost. 
 
 Not per- 
 manent. 
 
 Vines. 
 
 Bearded 
 frost. 
 Formation. 
 
 Rain. 
 
 dfrost. 
 
 If hoar-frost come on mornings twain, 
 The third day surely will have rain. 
 
 Hoar-frost and gipsies never stay nine days in a place. 
 
 A white frost never lasts more than three days. 
 
 Hoar-frost is good for vines, but bad for corn. — France. 
 
 Bearded frost, forerunner of snow. 
 
 When it is a cloud which is frozen, snow results ; when it is a 
 vapour only, then it produces hoar-frost only. — Aristotle. 
 
 Rain is sure to follow after frost that melts before the sun 
 
 Frost and A very heavy white frost in winter is followed by a thaw. 
 ihaw - United States. 
 
 Rain. Hoar-frost indicates rain. 
 
 When the frost gets into the air, it will rain. 
 
 Three frosts in succession are a sign of rain. 
 
 Light. Light or white frosts are always followed by wet weather, 
 
 either the same day or three days after. 
 
 Late. If the first frost occurs late, the following winter will be mild, 
 
 but weather variable. If the first frost occurs early, it indicates 
 a severe winter. 
 
 Early. Early frosts are generally followed by a long and hard winter. 
 
 Storm. Three white frosts and then a storm. 
 
 Duration. Six months from last frost to next frost. — Southern States. 
 
 Black. Black frost indicates dry, cold weather. 
 
 A black frost is a long frost. 
 
 Foul. Frosts end in foul weather. 
 
 Heavy. Heavy frosts are generally followed by fine, clear weather. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Heavy frosts bring heavy rains ; no frost, no rain. 
 
 California. 
 
 Frost and He that would have a bad day maun gang out in a fog after a 
 f°S- frost. — Scotch. 
 
 Frost and In the change from frost to open weather, or from open 
 mists. weather to frost, commonly great mists. — Bacon. 
 
Hail — Snow. 115 
 
 During frosty weather, the dissolution of mist, and the [Frost.] 
 appearance of small detached cirro-cumulus clouds in the Mist. 
 upper air, indicate a thaw. 
 
 Signs of frost breaking up : — Breaking. 
 
 The sun looking vvaterish at rising. 
 
 The sun setting in bluish clouds, and casting reflected rays 
 
 into them. 
 
 The stars looking dull, and the moon's horns blunted, aid the 
 
 frost to depart. 
 
 Quick thaw, long frost. — Old Anglo-Saxon. Long. 
 
 A thaw after a frost doth greatly rot and mellow the ground. Beneficial. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 In frosty weather the stars appear clearest and most spark- Stars. 
 ling. — Bacon. 
 
 1bail. 
 
 Hail brings frost in the tail. Hail . 
 
 Hail is rare in winter. — Aristotle. Winter. 
 
 Hail is formed in the clouds, and never in the lower mists. Formation. 
 
 Aristotle. 
 
 A hailstorm by day denotes a frost at night. Hailstorm. 
 
 Snow. 
 
 Snow cherisheth the ground and anything sowed in it. Snow. 
 
 Bacon. Beneficial. 
 
 Corn is as comfortable under the snow as an old man is under 
 his fur cloak. — Russia. 
 
 Much snow, much hay. — Sweden. Hay. 
 
 The snows dissolve fastest upon the sea coasts, yet the winds Dissolving. 
 are counted the bitterest from the sea, and such as trees will 
 bend from. — Bacon. 
 
 In winter, during a frost, if it begin to snow, the temperature Tcmpera- 
 of the air generally rises to 32 (or near it), and continues '' 
 there whilst the snow falls ; after which, if the weather clear 
 up, expect severe cold. — Dalton. 
 
 Nae hurry wi' your corns, Harrowing. 
 
 Nae hurry wi' your harrows ; 
 Snaw lies ahint the dyke ; 
 
 Mair may come and fill the furrows.— Scotland. 
 
Ii6 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Snow.] It takes three cloudy days to bring a heavy snow. 
 
 Cloudy. New England. 
 
 Healthy. The more snow, the more healthy the season. 
 
 John Ayers (Santa Fe). 
 
 Snow is generally preceded by a general animation of man 
 and beast, which continues until after the snowfall ends. 
 
 United States. 
 
 If the snowflakes increase in size, a thaw will follow. 
 
 If the first snow sticks to the trees, it foretells a bountiful 
 harvest. 
 
 If the snow remains on the trees in November, they will 
 bring out but few buds in the spring. — German. 
 
 A heavy fall of snow indicates a good year for crops, and a 
 light fall the reverse.— Dr. John Menual. 
 
 Snow coming two or three days after new moon will remain 
 on the ground some time, but that falling just after new moon 
 will soon go off. 
 
 As many days old as the moon is at the first snow, there will 
 be as many snows before crop-planting time. 
 
 When snow falls in the mud, it remains all winter. 
 
 The number of days the last snow remains on the ground 
 indicates the number of snowstorms which will occur during 
 the following winter. 
 
 If the snow that falls during the winter is dry, and is blown 
 about by the wind, a dry summer will follow. Very damp 
 snow indicates rain in the spring. 
 
 Lying. When the snow falls dry, it means to lie ; 
 
 But flakes light and soft bring rain oft. 
 
 When now in the ditch the snow doth lie, 
 'Tis waiting for more by-and-bye. 
 
 Flakes. 
 Wet. 
 
 November. 
 
 Crops. 
 
 New moon. 
 
 Moon. 
 
 Mud 
 Last snow. 
 
 Dry. 
 
 Ice. 
 
 See. 
 
 If the ice crack much, expect frost to continue. 
 
Thunder and Lightning. 
 
 117 
 
 XTbun&er anb Xigbtning. 
 
 The thunderstorms of the season will come from the same Thunder 
 quarter as the first one. and 
 
 First thunder in winter or spring indicates rain and very cold — : - 
 
 vveather. — Dr. John Menual. f} rst j 
 
 J thunder. 
 
 After the first thunder comes the rain. — Zufii Indians. 
 
 According to the direction from which comes the first 
 thunder in spring, the Zufii Indians reckon the coming season. 
 If the thunder be in the north, they say that the bear in his 
 cave has stretched out his left leg ; if in the east, that he has 
 stretched out his right arm, and that the winter is over ; if in 
 the south, that he has merely stretched out his right leg ; or if 
 in the west, his left arm. — Major Dunwoody. 
 
 The first thunder of the year awakes 
 All the frogs and all the snakes. 
 
 If there be showery weather, with sunshine and increase of 
 heat, in the spring, a thunderstorm may be expected every 
 day, or at least every other day. 
 
 Thunder and lightning in the summer show 
 The point from which the freshening breeze will blow. 
 
 J. Lamb's •■ Aratus." 
 
 Great heats after the summer solstice generally end in 
 thunderstorms ; but if these do not come, in wind and rain, 
 which last for many days. — Bacon. 
 
 Spring 
 thunder. 
 
 Summer 
 thunder. 
 
 Heat and 
 
 lit under. 
 
 Thunder and lightning early in winter or late in fall indicate 
 warm weather. 
 
 Lightning brings heat. 
 
 Winter thunder, 
 
 To old folks death, to young folks plunder. 
 
 Winter's thunder, 
 Summer's wonder. 
 
 A thunderstorm comes up against the wind. 
 
 Thunderstorms almost always occur when the weather is hot for 
 the season. They are generally caused by a cold wind coming 
 over a place where the air is much heated. They do not 
 cool the air : it is the wind that brings them which makes the 
 weather cooler. If a thunderstorm comes up from the east, the 
 weather will not be cooler after it. This will not happen till 
 another storm comes up from the west. Thunderstorms are 
 the more violent the greater the difference of temperature 
 between the two currents of wind which produce them. 
 
 Early and 
 late. 
 
 Heat. 
 
 Winter 
 thunder. 
 
 Thunder- 
 storms. 
 
n8 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Thunder 
 
 and 
 
 lightning.} 
 
 Silence 
 before a 
 thunder- 
 storm. 
 
 Morning 
 thunder. 
 
 Times. 
 
 Evening 
 thunder. 
 
 Lightning 
 south-east. 
 
 Sheet. 
 
 Forked. 
 
 Summer. 
 
 Night and 
 morning. 
 
 Distant. 
 
 Disappear* 
 
 mg- 
 
 The air useth to be extreme hot before thunders. — Bacon. 
 
 We often see, against some storm, 
 A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still, 
 The bold wind speechless, and the orb below 
 As hush as death : anon the dreadful thunder 
 Doth rend the region. — Shakespeare's " Hamlet." 
 
 When it thunders in the morning, it will rain before night. 
 
 Thunder in the morning denotes winds ; 
 
 at noon, showers. 
 Bacon. 
 
 Thunder in y° morning signifies wynde, about noone rayne, in 
 y e evening great tempest. — Digges. 
 
 If there be thunder in the evening, there will be much rain 
 and showery weather. 
 
 If in a clear and starry night it lighten in the south-east, it 
 foretelleth great store of wind and rain to come from those 
 parts. — Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 If there be sheet lightning with a clear sky on spring, summer, 
 and autumn evenings, expect heavy rains. 
 
 Forked lightning at night, 
 The next day clear and bright. 
 
 Lightning in summer indicates good, healthy weather. 
 
 Sheet lightning, without thunder, during the night, having a 
 whitish colour, announces unsettled weather. In the west of 
 Scotland morning lightning is regarded as an omen of bad 
 weather. — Scotland. 
 
 Lightning without thunder after a clear day, there will be a 
 continuance of fair weather. 
 
 Lightning in a clear sky signifies the approach of wind and 
 rain from the quarter where it lightens ; but if it lightens in 
 different parts of the sky, there will be severe and dreadful 
 storms. — Bacon. 
 
 The distant thunder speaks of coming rain. 
 
 If it sinks from the north, 
 
 It will double its wrath. 
 
 If it sinks from the south, 
 
 It will open its mouth. 
 
 If it sinks from the west, 
 
 It is never at rest. 
 
 If it sinks from the east, 
 
 It will leave us in peace. — Kent. 
 
Thunder and Lightning. 119 
 
 If the lightning is in the colder quarters of the heaven, as the [Thunder 
 
 north and north-east, hailstorms will follow ; but if in the a . 
 
 warmer, as the south and west, there will be showers with a * . *'■' 
 , _ Direction. 
 
 sultry temperature. — Bacon. 
 
 Lightning under north star will bring rain in three days. North. 
 
 Lightning in the north will be followed by rain in twenty-four 
 hours. 
 
 Lightning in the north in summer is a sign of heat. 
 
 When it lightens only from the north-west, look for rain the North-west. 
 next day. — Willsford. 
 
 Thunderstorm from north-west is followed by fine, bracing 
 weather ; but thunder and lightning from north-east indicates 
 sultry, unsettled weather. — Observer at Santa Fe. 
 
 If the first thunder is from the east, the winter is over. East. 
 
 Zuni Indians. 
 
 Lightning in the south, low on the horizon, indicates dry South. 
 weather. — Kansas. 
 
 Thunder from the south or south-east indicates foul weather ; South and 
 from the north or north-west, fair weather. north. 
 
 A thunderstorm from the south is said to be followed by 
 warmth, and from the north by cold. When the storm 
 disappears in the east, it is a sign of fine weather. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 If from the south or the west it lightens, expect both wind South or 
 and rain from these parts. — Willsford. west 
 
 After the clap there follows a heavy and abundant shower of Rain. 
 rain. — Lucretius, C. W. Empson's Translation. 
 
 After much thunder, much rain. — France. 
 
 Rain and wind increase after a thunderclap. 
 
 Virgil's " Georgics," Book I. 
 
 Abundance depends on sour milk. Souring 
 
 [The meaning of this is that thunderstorms aid crops.] milk. 
 
 Increasing atmospheric electricity oxidises ammonia in the air, 
 and forms nitric acid, which affects milk, thus accounting for 
 the souring of milk by thunder. — Major Dunwoody. 
 
 When it thunders, they say the prophet (Elias) is driving in Superstition. 
 his chariot in pursuit of demons. — T. Bent (Greece). 
 
 When the flashes of lightning appear very pale, it argues the Lightning 
 air to be full of waterish meteors ; and if red and fiery, colours. 
 inclining to winds and tempests. 
 
120 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Thunder 
 
 and 
 
 lightning.] 
 
 Description. 
 
 As when two black clouds, 
 With heaven's artillery fraught, come rattling on 
 Over the Caspian ; then stand, front to front 
 Hovering a while, till winds the signal blow 
 To join their dark encounter in mid air. — Milton. 
 
 The sound of bells is supposed to dissipate thunder and 
 1 ightning. — Bacon. 
 
 [Church bells are still rung in the Austrian Tyrol with this 
 object.] 
 
 Rolling thunder which seems to be passing on foretells wind ; 
 but sharp and interrupted cracks denote storms both of wind 
 and rain. — Bacon. 
 
 Continuous. When the thunder is more continuous than the lightning, 
 there will be great winds ; but if it lightens frequently 
 between the thunderclaps, there will be heavy showers with 
 large drops. — Bacon. 
 
 Bells. 
 
 Rolling. 
 
 Barometer. 
 Variations. 
 
 Falling with 
 east wind. 
 
 Falling with 
 north or west 
 wind. 
 
 Falling with 
 
 westerly 
 
 wind. 
 
 Falling with 
 south wind. 
 
 Rise and 
 fall- 
 
 Falling 
 
 ^Barometer. 
 
 The variations of the barometer depend on the variations of 
 the wind. It is highest during frost, with a north-east wind ; 
 and lowest during a thaw, with a south or south-west wind. 
 
 Jenyns. 
 
 A steady and considerable fall in the mercury during an east 
 wind denotes that the wind will soon go round to the south, 
 unless a heavy fall of snow or rain immediately follow : in 
 this case, the upper clouds usually come up from the south. 
 
 Belville 
 
 If the mercury fall with the wind at the west, north-west, or 
 north, a great reduction of temperature will follow : in the 
 winter severe frosts ; in the summer cold rains. — Belville. 
 
 If the mercury fall during a high wind from the south-west, 
 south-south-west, or west-south-west, an increasing storm 
 is probable ; if the fall be rapid, the wind will be violent, 
 but of short duration ; if the fall be slow, the wind will be 
 less violent, but of longer continuance. — Belville. 
 
 A fall of the mercury with a south wind is invariably followed 
 by rain in greater or less quantities. — Belville. 
 
 Neither a sudden rise nor a sudden fall of the barometer is 
 followed by any lasting change of weather. If the mercury 
 rise and fall by turns, it is indicative of unsettled weather. 
 
 Jenyns. 
 
 The barometer falls for southerly and westerly winds, and 
 for damper, stormier, and warmer weather. 
 
Barometer. 
 
 121 
 
 A sudden rise in the barometer is very nearly as dangerous as 
 a sudden fall, because it shows that the level is unsteady. In 
 an ordinary gale the wind often blows hardest when the baro- 
 meter is just beginning to rise, directly after having been very 
 low. 
 
 The barometer rises for northerly or easterly winds, and for 
 dryer, calmer, and colder weather. 
 
 In wet weather, when the barometer rises much and high, and 
 so continues for two or three days before wet weather is quite 
 over, you may expect a continuance of fair weather for several 
 days. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 In fair weather, when the barometer falls much and low, and 
 thus continues for two or three days before the rain comes, 
 you may expect much rain, and probably high winds. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 A sudden and considerable rise of the barometer after several 
 
 hours of heavy rain, accompanied by a drying westerly wind, 
 
 indicates more rain within thirty hours, and a considerable 
 
 fall of the barometer. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 Should the barometer continue low when the sky becomes 
 
 low after heavy rain, expect more rain within twenty-four 
 
 hours. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 When, after a succession of gales and great fluctuations of the 
 
 barometer, a gale comes on from south-west, which does not 
 
 cause much, if any, depression of the instrument, you may 
 
 consider that more settled weather is near at hand. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 If the barometer fall gradually for several days during the 
 continuance of fine weather, much wet will probably ensue in 
 the end. In like manner, if it keep rising while the wet con- 
 tinues, the weather, after a day or two, is likely to set in fair 
 for some time. — Jenyns. 
 
 If after a storm of wind and rain the mercury remain steady 
 at the point to which it had fallen, serene weather may follow 
 without a change of wind ; but on the rising of the mercury 
 rain and a change of wind may be expected. — Belville. 
 The height of the barometer must be above the mean corre- 
 sponding to the particular wind blowing at the time to allow of 
 weather in which any confidence can be placed. — Jenyns. 
 A very low barometer is usually attendant upon stormy 
 weather, with wind and rain at intervals, but the latter not 
 necessarily in any great quantity. If the weather, notwith- 
 standing a very low barometer, is fine and calm, it is not to 
 be depended upon : a change may come on very suddenly. 
 
 Jenyns. 
 
 [Barometer.] 
 Rising. 
 
 Wind. 
 
 Rising in 
 wet weather. 
 
 Falling in 
 fair weather. 
 
 Rise after 
 rain. 
 
 Low. 
 
 Wind. 
 
 Fall in fine 
 
 weather. 
 
 Steady after 
 storm. 
 
 Indication. 
 
 Low in fine 
 weather. 
 
122 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Barometer.'] 
 Frost. 
 
 High with 
 
 warmer 
 
 weather. 
 
 Wet after a 
 fall. 
 
 Rising with 
 warmth. 
 
 Rising after 
 heavy rains. 
 
 Falling 
 quickly. 
 
 Oscillating. 
 
 Snow. 
 
 Summer. 
 
 Local. 
 
 Rising with 
 dry weather. 
 
 Falling with- 
 out change. 
 
 If it freezes, and the barometer falls two or three-tenths of an 
 inch, expect a thaw. 
 
 If the weather gets warmer while the barometer is high and 
 the wind north-easterly, we may look for a sudden shift of 
 wind to the south. On the other hand, if the weather 
 becomes colder while the wind is south-westerly and the 
 barometer low, we may look for a sudden squall or a severe 
 storm from the north-west, with a fall of snow if it be winter- 
 time. 
 
 When wet weather happens soon after the falling of the 
 barometer, expect but little of it ; and, on the contrary, 
 expect but little fair weather when it proves fine shortly after 
 the barometer has risen. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 During summer, if pressure and temperature increase together, 
 expect several fine days ; and if small patches of cirro-cumulus 
 cloud should appear at a great elevation, the rise of tempera- 
 ture will be considerable. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 If barometer and thermometer both rise together, 
 It is a very sure sign of coming fine weather. 
 
 After heavy rains from south-west, if the barometer rises upon 
 the wind shifting to the north-west, expect three or four fine 
 days. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 If the barometer falls two or three-tenths of an inch in four 
 hours, expect a gale of wind. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 If you observe that the surface of the mercury in the cistern 
 of the barometer vibrates upon the approach of a storm, you 
 may expect the gale to be severe. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 The barometer seldom falls for snow. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 In summer, when the barometer falls suddenly, expect a 
 thunderstorm ; and if it does not rise again when the storm 
 ceases, there will be several days' unsettled weather. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 A summer thunderstorm, which does not much depress the 
 barometer, will be very local and of slight consequence. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 When the barometer rises considerably, and the ground 
 becomes dry, although the sky remains overcast, expect fair 
 weather for a few days. The reverse may be expected if 
 water is observed to stand in shallow places, notwithstanding 
 the barometer may read upwards of thirty inches. 
 
 C. L. Prince. 
 
 When the barometer falls considerably without any particular 
 change of weather, you may be certain that a violent storm is 
 raging at a distance. — C. L. Prince. 
 
Barometer. 
 
 12" 
 
 During winter, heavy rain is indicated by a decrease of pressure [Barometer. ] 
 and an increase of temperature. — C. L. Prince. IVinlcr. 
 
 In winter the rising barometer indicates frost when the wind Indicating 
 is east-north-east ; and should the frost and increase of pres- f rost 
 sure continue, expect snow. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 The barometer falls lower for high winds than for heavy Rapid fall. 
 rains. If the fall amount to one inch in twenty-four hours, 
 expect a very severe gale. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 A high and steady barometer is indicative of settled weather. High and 
 
 Jenyns. stmd y- 
 In general the barometer falls before rain ; and all appear- Change. 
 ances being the same, the higher the barometer, the greater 
 the probability of fair weather. — Dalton. 
 
 An excellent summary of the barometer rules, which are too Summary. 
 numerous to quote here, was given by G. F. Chambers, 
 F.R.A.S., in The Churchman newspaper, February 1868. 
 
 When the barometer is higher at Brest than at Nairn, while it High m 
 is of about the same value at Valentia and Yarmouth, being north. 
 gradually less from south to north, then the winds over 
 Britain are westerly. — R. Strachan. 
 
 When the barometer at Nairn is higher than at Brest, while Equal east 
 its readings at Valentia and Yarmouth are about equal, the ancl west - 
 winds over Britain are easterly. — R. Strachan. 
 
 When the barometer at Valentia is higher than at Yarmouth, High in west. 
 while its readings at Brest and Nairn are about equal, the 
 winds over Britain are northerly. — R. Strachan. 
 
 When the barometer at Yarmouth is higher than at Valentia, High in cast. 
 while there is equality of pressure at Nairn and Brest, the 
 winds over Britain are southerly. — R. Strachan. 
 
 When the barometer readings at Brest, Valentia, Nairn, and Equal 
 Yarmouth are nearly equal, then the winds over the British readings. 
 Isles are variable in direction and light in force. 
 
 Mr. R. Strachan's Rules. 
 
 When the glass falls low, Wind. 
 
 Prepare for a blow ; 
 
 When it rises high, 
 
 Let all your kites fly. — Nautical. 
 
 First rise after low First rise. 
 
 Foretells stronger blow. 
 
 Long foretold,* long last ; Long notice. 
 
 Short notice, soon past. — Fitzroy. 
 
 By the falling of the mercury. 
 
124 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
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Animals. 
 
 Very high and rising fast, 
 
 Steady rain and sure to last. 
 
 Steady high after low, 
 
 Floods of rain, or hail, or snow. 
 
 Falling fast, 
 
 Fine at last. 
 
 Rapid fall after high, 
 
 Sun at last, and very dry. 
 [Satirical rhyme suggested by six weeks of rain, with 
 
 generally high and steady barometer.] 
 " Symoxs' Meteorological Magazine," October 1892. 
 
 125 
 
 Barometer 
 in Ireland. 
 
 Satirical. 
 
 Ubevinometer. 
 
 If the temperature increases between 9 p.m. and midnight, Thermo- 
 
 when the sky is cloudless, expect rain ; and if during a long m eter. 
 
 and severe frost the temperature increases between midnight Temperature 
 
 and sunrise, expect a thaw. — C. L. Prince. increasing. 
 
 The greater the difference between the lowest temperature of Different 
 the air at four feet from the ground, and that of terrestrial levels - 
 radiation under a cloudless sky, the less will be the proba- 
 bility of the existing state of weather continuing, and vice 
 versa. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 "IfoEgrometer. 
 
 The greater the difference between the readings of the wet Hygro- 
 and dry-bulb thermometers, the greater will be the probability meter. 
 of fine weather, and vice versa. — C. L. Prince. Indications. 
 
 TTelescope. 
 
 If the images of stars or the moon appear ill defined and Telescope. 
 surrounded by much atmospheric tremor, expect both wind 
 and rain. The greater the tremor, the sooner the change, A "' tremor. 
 except when the wind is easterly. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 Hnimals. 
 
 The observations of naturalists, shepherds, herdsmen, and others who 
 have been brought much into contact with animals, have proved most 
 clearly that these creatures are cognisant of approaching changes in the 
 state of the air long before wc know of their coming by other signs. To 
 many hinds of animals, birds, and insects, the weather is of so much more 
 importance than to us, that it would be wonderful if nature had not 
 provided them with a more keenly prophetic instinct in this respect. The 
 occurrence of a storm would, doubtless, be the means of depriving so?ne of 
 
126 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 the Carnivora of a meal, and it is known that utter destruction would occur 
 to the nests of some birds if the tenants were absent during a gale of wind 
 or a felting shower ; while to vast 7iumbers of insects the stale of the 
 weather for the fraction of a week may determine the whole time during 
 which they can enjoy their little lives. To enable all these creatures to 
 prepare for coming trouble, they seem to have been fitted with what is to us 
 an unknown sense informing them of minute changes in the atmosphere 
 and it has long been observed that they eat with more avidity, return to 
 their homes, or become unusually restless before the coming of the danger of 
 which they are forewarned. 
 
 This is a subject on which there is still a great deal to be learnt, and [ 
 hope naturalists will continue to collect ?iotes on so important a matter. 
 
 When animals seek sheltered places instead of spreading 
 over their usual range, an unfavourable change is probable. 
 
 Seeking 
 
 covey. 
 
 Crowding. 
 
 [Dogs.] 
 
 Uneasy. 
 
 Eating 
 grass. 
 
 Rolling. 
 
 Sleeping. 
 
 Stretched 
 out. 
 
 [Cats,] 
 Sneezing. 
 
 Movements. 
 
 Licking. 
 
 Imprisoned. 
 
 Enraged. 
 
 Washing. 
 
 If animals crowd together, rain will follow. 
 
 The unusual howling of dogs portends a storm. 
 
 Dogs making holes in the ground, howling when any one goes 
 out, eating grass in the morning, or refusing meat, are said to 
 indicate coming rain. — Major Dunwoody. 
 
 When dogs eat grass, it will be rain}'. 
 
 If dogs roll on the ground and scratch, or become drowsy and 
 stupid, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 If spaniels sleep more than usual, it foretells wst weather. 
 
 Sign, too, of rain : his outstretched feet the hound 
 Extends, and curves his belly to the ground. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 When a cat sneezes, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 Cats are observed to scratch the wall or a post before wind, 
 and to wash their faces before a thaw ; they sit with their 
 backs to the fire before snow. — Scotland. 
 
 They say here that if a cat licks herself with her face turned 
 towards the north, the wind will soon blow from that 
 dangerous quarter. — T. Bent (Greece). 
 
 It is an Irish saying that putting the cat under the pot will 
 bring bad weather, and this is sometimes done in jest to 
 prevent a guest from departing. — Folk-Lore Journal. 
 
 Cats with their tails up and hair apparently electrified 
 indicate approaching wind, — or a dog. 
 
 The cardinal point to which a cat turns and washes her 
 face after a rain shows the direction from which the wind 
 will blow. 
 
Animals. 12 7 
 
 The old woman promised him a fine day to-morrow because [Animals.] 
 the cat's skin looked bright. Cats skin. 
 
 Sailors dislike to see the cat on board ship unusually playful Playful. 
 or quarrelsome, and they say the cat has a gale of wind in 
 her tail. — Brand. 
 
 When the cat scratches the table legs, a change is coming. Scratching. 
 
 While rain depends, the pensive cat gives o'er Pensive. 
 
 Her frolics, and pursues her tail no more. — Broome. 
 
 When cats wipe their jaws with their feet, it is a sign of rain, Wiping 
 and especially when they put their paws over their ears in jaws. 
 wiping. 
 
 If horses stretch out their necks and sniff the air, rain will [Horses.] 
 ensue. Sniffing. 
 
 Horses sweating in the stable is a sign of rain. Sweating. 
 
 If they start more than ordinary and are restless and uneasy, Restless. 
 or if they assemble in the corner of a field with heads to 
 leeward, expect rain. 
 
 If young horses do rub their backs against the ground, it is a Rolling. 
 sign of great drops of rain to follow. 
 
 Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 Horses and mules, if very lively without apparent cause, Lively. 
 indicate cold. 
 
 In the notes to Quentin Dtirward, by Sir Walter Scott, [Asses.] 
 there is an anecdote of Louis XL, who, refusing to believe Restless - 
 the weather prophecy of a charcoal burner, got soaked with 
 rain. When the man was asked how he was able so well to 
 predict the weather, he replied that his own donkey was his 
 prophet, and on the approach of rain pricked his ears 
 forward, walked slowly, and tried to rub himself against 
 walls. 
 
 If asses hang their ears downward and forward, and rub Rubbing. 
 against walls, rain is approaching. 
 
 If asses bray more frequently than usual, it foreshows rain. Braying. 
 
 Hark ! I hear the asses bray ; 
 
 We shall have some rain to day. — Rutland. 
 
 It is time to stack your hay and corn 
 When the old donkey blows his horn. 
 
 When cattle lie down during light rain, it will soon pass. [Cattle.] 
 
 Wiltshire. Lying down. 
 
128 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Animals. 
 Cattle on 
 hills. 
 [Cows.] 
 
 Various 
 signs. 
 
 In autumn. 
 
 hying down. 
 Cow. 
 
 [Bulls.' 
 Leading, 
 
 [Oxen.] 
 Licking. 
 Sniffing. 
 
 Turning 
 tail to wind. 
 
 When cattle remain on hilltops, fine weather to come. 
 
 Derbyshire. 
 When cows fail their milk, expect stormy and cold weather. 
 When cows bellow in the evening, expect snow that night. 
 There are other sayings about cows — such as, if they stop 
 and shake their feet, or refuse to go to pasture in the morning, 
 or when they low and gaze at the sky, or lick their forefeet, 
 or lie on the right side, or rub themselves against posts, or lie 
 down early in the day, it indicates rain to come. 
 
 Major Dunwoody. 
 The cattle also concerning the vapour. — Job xxxvi. 33. 
 
 When autumn's days are nearly passed away, 
 And winter hastens to assume his sway, 
 Mark if the kine and sheep at eventide 
 Toss up their horned heads, with nostril wide 
 Imbibe the northern breeze, and furious beat 
 The echoing meadows with their cloven feet ; 
 For tyrant winter comes with icy hand, 
 Heaping his snowy ridges on the land, 
 Blasting Pomona's hopes with shrivelling frost, 
 While Ceres mourns her golden treasure lost. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 When kine and horses lie with their heads upon the ground, it 
 is a sign of rain. 
 
 When a cow tries to scratch its ear, 
 
 It means a shower is very near ; 
 
 When it thumps its ribs with its tail, 
 
 Look out for thunder, lightning, hail. 
 
 New Jersey, U.S. 
 If bulls lick their hoofs or kick about, expect much rain. 
 
 If the bull lead the van in going to pasture, rain must be 
 expected ; but if he is careless, and allow the cows to precede 
 him, the weather will be uncertain. 
 
 If oxen be seen to lie along upon the left side, it is a token of 
 fair weather. — Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 When oxen do lick themselves against the hair, it betokeneth 
 
 rain to follow shortly after. — Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 If oxen turn up their nostrils and sniff the air, or if they lick 
 
 their forefeet, or lie on their right side, it will rain. 
 
 " When that white stirk o' ours turns her tail to the wind, 
 
 you're sure to ha'e rain in half an hour." 
 
 Cowboy to " Old Moore," the Almanack Maker. 
 
 He taught us erst the heifer's tail to view ; 
 
 When stuck aloft, that showers would straight ensue. 
 
 Gay. 
 
Animals. 129 
 
 The herdsmen too, while yet the skies are fair, [Animals.} 
 
 Warned by their bullocks, for the storm prepare — Bullocks. 
 
 When with rough tongue they lick their polished hoof, 
 When bellowing loud they seek the sheltering roof, 
 When from the yoke at close of day released, 
 On his right side recumbs the wearied beast : 
 When keenly pluck the goats the oaken bough ; 
 And deeply wallows in the mire the sow. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 The goat will utter her peculiar cry before rain. Goats. 
 
 Goats leave the high grounds and seek shelter before a storm. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 If goats and sheep quit their pastures with reluctance, it will Goats and 
 rain the next day. sheep. 
 
 If old sheep turn their backs towards the wind, and remain so [Sheep.] 
 for some time, wet and windy weather is coming. 
 
 All shepherds agree in saying that before a storm comes Frisky. 
 sheep become frisky, leap, and butt or "box " each other. 
 
 Folk-Lore Journal. 
 
 If sheep gambol and fight, or retire to shelter, it presages a 
 change in the weather. 
 
 The shepherd, as afield his charge he drives, 
 
 From his own flock prognostics oft derives. 
 
 When they impetuous seek the grassy plain, 
 
 He marks the advent of some storm or rain ; 
 
 And when grave rams and lambkins full of play 
 
 Butt at each other's heads in mimic fray ; 
 
 When the horned leaders stamp the dusty ground 
 
 With their forefeet — all fours the young ones bound ; 
 
 When homeward, as the shades of night descend, 
 
 Reluctantly and slow their way they wend, Returning 
 
 Stray from the flock, and linger one by one, slowly. 
 
 Heedless of shepherd's voice and missive stone. 
 
 J. Lamb's '• Aratus." 
 
 Old sheep are said to eat greedily before a storm, and Feeding. 
 sparingly before a thaw. When they leave the high grounds, 
 and bleat much in the evening and during the night, severe 
 weather is expected. In winter, when they feed down the 
 hill, a snowstorm is looked for ; when they feed up the burn, 
 wet weather is near. 
 
130 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Animals."] 
 Sheep. 
 
 [Pigs.] 
 Restless. 
 
 Carrying 
 straw. 
 
 Wallowing 
 
 Seeing 
 wind. 
 
 Rubbing. 
 Wolf. 
 
 Beaver. 
 
 Rats. 
 Mice. 
 
 If sheep feed up-hill in the morning, sign of fine weather. 
 
 Derbyshire. 
 When sheep turn their backs to the wind, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 Swine are so terrified and disturbed and discomposed when 
 the wind is getting up, that countrymen say that this animal 
 alone sees the wind, and that it must be frightful to look at. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 Hogs crying and running unquietly up and down with hay 
 or litter in their mouths foreshadows a storm to be near at 
 hand. — Thomas Willsford. 
 
 When pigs carry straw to their sties, bad weather may be 
 expected. 
 
 Grumphie smells the weather, 
 
 An' grumphie sees the wun' ; 
 
 He kens when clouds will gather, 
 
 An' smoor the blinkin' sun ; 
 
 Wi' his mou' fu' o' strae 
 
 He to his den will gae ; 
 
 Grumphie is a prophet, — 
 
 Wat weather we will hae. — Galloway. 
 
 When pigs carry sticks, 
 The clouds will play tricks ; 
 When they lie in the mud, 
 No fears of a flood. 
 
 Pigs can see the wind. 
 
 Hogs rubbing themselves in winter indicates an approaching 
 thaw. — Major Dunwoody. 
 
 When through the dismal night the lone wolf howls, 
 
 Or when at eve around the house he prowls, 
 
 And, grown familiar, seeks to make his bed, 
 
 Careless of man, in some outlying shed, — 
 
 Then mark : ere thrice Aurora shall arise, 
 
 A horrid storm will sweep the blackened skies. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 In early and long winters the beaver cuts his winter supply of 
 wood, and prepares his house one month earlier than in mild, 
 late winters. — Major Dunwoody. 
 
 If rats are more restless than usual, rain is at hand. 
 
 E'en mice ofttimes prophetic are of rain, 
 Nor did our sires their auguries disdain, 
 When loudly piping with their voices shrill, 
 They frolicked, dancing on the downy hill. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
Animals. 
 
 131 
 
 If mice run about more than usual, wet weather may be [Animals?^ 
 expected. Mice. 
 
 Moles plying their works, in undermining the earth, foreshows [Moles.] 
 rain ; but if they do forsake their trenches and creep above Busy. 
 ground in summer-time, it is a sign of hot weather ; but when 
 on a sudden they do forsake the valleys and low grounds, 
 it foreshows a flood near at hand ; but their coming into 
 meadows presages fair weather, and for certain no floods. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 Previous to the setting in of winter the mole prepares a sort Storing 
 of basin, forming it in a bed of clay, which will hold about a f ood - 
 quart. In this basin a great quantity of worms is deposited ; 
 and, in order to prevent their escape, they are partly mutilated, 
 but not so much as to kill them. On these worms the moles 
 feed in the winter months. When these basins are few in 
 number, the following winter will be mild. 
 
 Gardener's Chronicle. 
 [I have asked several mole-catchers in Hampshire (near 
 Southampton, where moles are very numerous) whether 
 the above was true, and they all answered in the 
 affirmative. — C. W. Empson.] 
 
 When the mole throws up fresh earth during a frost, it will Digging. 
 thaw in less than forty-eight hours. 
 
 If moles throw up more earth than usual, rain is indicated. 
 
 Hares take to the open country before a snowstorm. Hares. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 When squirrels lay in a large supply of nuts, expect a cold Squirrels. 
 winter; but — 
 
 When he eats them on the tree, 
 
 Weather as warm as warm can be. 
 
 If weasels and stoats are seen running about much in the fore- Weasels, 
 noon, it foretells rain in the after-part of the day. — Scotland, stoats, etc. 
 
 [Bats.] 
 
 Numerous. 
 
 It will rain if bats cry much or fly into the house. 
 
 If bats abound and are vivacious, fine weather may be 
 expected. 
 
 Observe which way the hedgehog builds her nest, 
 To front the north or south, or east or west ; 
 For if 'tis true that common people say, 
 The wind will blow the quite contrary way. 
 If by some secret art the hedgehog knows, 
 So long before, which way the winds will blow, 
 She has an art which many a person lacks 
 That thinks himself fit to make our almanacks. 
 
 Poor Robin's Almanack, 1733. 
 
 [Hedge- 
 hogs.] 
 
132 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Animals.] 
 Hedgehogs. 
 Hiding. 
 
 Burrows. 
 
 Hedgehogs conceal themselves in their holes before a change 
 of wind from north-east to south. — Pliny. 
 
 As hedgehogs doe foresee ensuing stormes. 
 
 Bodenham's " Belvedere,' 
 
 1600. 
 
 The hedgehog commonly hath two holes or vents in his den 
 or cave, the one towards the south and the other towards the 
 north ; and look which of them he stops — thence will great 
 storms and winds follow. — Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 Birds. 
 Departing 
 
 Silent. 
 Returning 
 
 Flight. 
 
 Restless. 
 
 [Small 
 birds.] 
 Washing. 
 
 Summer. 
 Arriving. 
 
 [Fowls.] 
 
 Bir&s. 
 
 When numerous birds their island home forsake, 
 And to firm land their airy voyage make, 
 The ploughman, watching their ill-omened flight, 
 Fears for his golden fields a withering blight. 
 Not so the goatherd — he their advent hails, 
 As certain promise of o'erflowing pails. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 If the birds be silent, expect thunder. 
 
 If birds that dwell in trees return eagerly to their nests, and 
 leave their feeding-ground early, it is a sign of storms ; but 
 when a heron stands melancholy on the sand, or a raven 
 stalks about, it only denotes rain. — Bacon. 
 
 If birds return slowly to their nests, rain will follow. 
 
 Migratory birds fly south from cold, and north from warm 
 weather. When a severe cyclone is near, they become 
 puzzled and fly in circles, dart in the air, and can be easily 
 decoyed. — North Carolina. 
 
 When birds of long flight — rooks, swallows, or others— hang 
 about home, and fly up and down or low, rain or wind may 
 be expected. 
 
 If small birds seem to duck and wash in the sand, it is held 
 to be a sign of coming rain. 
 
 When summer birds take their flight, summer goes with 
 them. 
 
 When the fieldfare, redwing, starling, swan, snowfleck, and 
 other birds of passage arrive soon from the north, it indicates 
 the probability of an early and severe winter. — Scotland. 
 
 If the fowls huddle together outside the henhouse instead of 
 going to roost, there will be wet weather. 
 
 Folk-Lore Journal. 
 
Birds. 
 
 133 
 
 If fowls grub in the dust and clap their wings, or if their [Birds.] 
 wings droop, or if they crowd into a house, it indicates rain. Fowls. 
 
 If fowls roll in the sand. Rolling. 
 
 Rain is at hand. 
 
 When they look towards the sky, or roost in the daytime, Restless. 
 expect rain ; but if they dress their feathers during a storm, 
 it is about to cease ; while their standing on one leg is 
 considered a sign of cold weather. When fowls collect 
 together, and pick or straighten their feathers, expect a 
 change. 
 
 Fowls will run to shelter and stay there if they think the 
 weather will clear ; but if they see it is to be wet all day, they 
 come out and face it. — United States. 
 
 If the cock moult before the hen, 
 We shall have weather thick and thin ; 
 But if the hen moult before the cock, 
 We shall have weather hard as a block. 
 
 If the cock drink in summer, it will rain a little after. — Italy. 
 
 If cocks crow late and early, clapping their wings unusually, 
 rain is expected. 
 
 If the cock goes crowing to bed, 
 
 He'll certainly rise with a watery head. 
 
 If ducks or drakes do shake and flutter their wings when 
 they rise, it is a sign of ensuing water. 
 
 Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 When ducks are driving through the burn, 
 That night the weather takes a turn. 
 
 Divers and ducks prune their feathers before a wind ; but 
 geese seem to call down the rain with their importunate 
 cackling. — Bacox. 
 
 If ducks and geese fly backwards and forwards, and con- 
 tinually plunge in water and wash themselves incessantly, 
 wet weather will ensue. 
 
 If the wild geese gang out to sea, 
 Good weather there will surely be. 
 
 Wild geese, wild geese, ganging to the sea, 
 Good weather it will be ; 
 Wild geese, wild geese, ganging to the hill, 
 The weather it will spill.— Morayshire. 
 
 Wild geese moving south indicates approaching cold weather ; 
 moving north indicates that most of the winter is over. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Moulting. 
 
 Drinking. 
 Crowing. 
 
 [Ducks.] 
 Restless. 
 
 Driving. 
 
 [Ducks and 
 geese.] 
 
 Uneasy. 
 
 [Geese.] 
 
 Flying sea- 
 wards. 
 
 Flying 
 inland. 
 
 Flyingsouth. 
 
1.34 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Birds.' 
 Geese. 
 
 Flying 
 
 When wild geese fly to the south-east in the fall, in Kansas, 
 expect a blizzard. — United States. 
 
 Flying directly south and very high indicates a cold winter. 
 
 ■ low. When flying low and remaining along the river, they indicate 
 a warm winter in Idaho. For spring, just the reverse when 
 flying north. — " Old Settler," United States. 
 
 Passing 
 lakes. 
 
 Wild geese flying past large bodies of water indicate change 
 of weather ; going south, cold ; going north, warm. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Flight. It is said that the flight of wild geese is always either in the 
 
 form of letters or of figures, and that the figures denote the 
 number of weeks of frost that would follow their appearance. 
 
 Breast-bone. When the goose-bone, exposed to air, turns blue, it indicates 
 rain ; when it retains its colour, expect clear weather. 
 
 The whiteness of a goose's breast-bone is superstitiously 
 thought to indicate or foreshow the amount of snow during 
 winter. 
 
 If the November goose-bone be thick, 
 
 So will the winter weather be ; 
 
 If the November goose-bone be thin, 
 
 So will the winter weather be. 
 
 [Torkeys.] Turkeys perched on trees and refusing to descend indicates 
 snow. 
 
 Flight. Water turkeys flying against the wind indicates falling weather. 
 
 United States. 
 
 [Guinea- This bird, called the " come-back " in Norfolk, is regarded as 
 fowl.] an invoker of rain. It often continues clamorous throughout 
 
 the whole of rainy days. — C. Swainson. 
 
 Rain. Guinea-fowls squall more than usual before rain. 
 
 [Swans.] When swans fly, it is a sign of rough weather. 
 
 J. W. G. Gutch. 
 
 Flight. If the swan flies against the wind, it is a certain indication of 
 
 a hurricane within twenty-four hours, generally within twelve. 
 Correspondent in the " Athenaeum," Vol. III., p. 229. 
 
 Nest. The swan is said to build its nest high before floods, but low 
 
 when there will not be unusual rains. 
 
 Orkneys. When the white swan visits the Orkneys, expect a continued 
 
 severe winter. — Scotland. 
 [Parrots.] Clamorous as a parrot against rain. — Shakespeare. 
 
 Ram - Parrots whistling indicate rain. 
 
Birds. 135 
 
 It is said that parrots and canaries dress their feathers and □ ', j 
 c * , Parrots and 
 
 are vvakeiul the evening before a storm. canaries. 
 
 The feathers of the blue macaw turn a greenish hue before Macaws. 
 rain. — Dr. Thornton. 
 
 When the peacock loudly bawls, [Peacocks.] 
 
 Soon we'll have both rain and squalls. 
 
 If peacocks cry in the night, there is rain to fall. dying. 
 
 The strutting peacock yawling 'gainst the rain. — Drayton. Rain. 
 
 When the peacock's distant voice you hear, 
 
 Are you in want of rain ? Rejoice, 'tis almost here. 
 
 Pea-fowl utter loud cries before a storm, and select a low Pea-fowl. 
 perch. 
 
 Pigeons wash before rain. — J. W. G. Gutch. [Pigeons.] 
 
 Doves or pigeons coming later home to the dove-house in the Returning. 
 evening than ordinary, it is a token of rain. 
 
 Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 If pigeons return home slowly, the weather will be wet. 
 
 If the partridge sings when the rainbow spans the sky, Partridge. 
 There is no better sign of wet than when it isn't dry. 
 
 Spanish Rhyme. 
 
 The frequently repeated cry of the ptarmigan low down on Ptarmigans. 
 the mountains during frost and snow indicates more snow 
 and continued cold. — Scotland. 
 
 An early appearance of the woodcock indicates the approach Woodcocks. 
 of a severe winter.— United States. 
 
 The gathering of grouse into large flocks indicates snow. Grouse. 
 Their approach to the farmyard is a sign of severe weather — 
 frost and snow. When they sit on dykes on the moor, rain 
 only is expected. — Scotland. 
 
 When quails are heard in the evening, expect fair weather Quails. 
 next day. 
 
 Quails are more abundant during an easterly wind. 
 
 United States. 
 The drumming of the snipe in the air, and the call of the Snipe. 
 partridge, indicate dry weather and frost at night to the 
 shepherds of Garrow. — Scotland. 
 
 Prairie chickens coming into the creeks and timber indicates [Prairie 
 cold weather. chickens.] 
 
 When the prairie chicken sits on the ground with all its Cold. 
 feathers ruffled, expect cold weather.— United States. 
 When rooks seem to drop in their flight, as if pierced by a Rooks. 
 shot, it is considered to foretell rain. 
 
136 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Birds.] This " tumbling " of rooks is amongst the best-known signs 
 
 Rooks. of rain in places where those birds are found. 
 
 The low flight of rooks indicates rain. If they feed busily, 
 and hurry over the ground in one direction, and in a compact 
 body, a storm will soon follow. When they sit in rows on 
 dykes and palings, wind is looked for. When going home to 
 roost, if they fly high, the next day will be fair, and vice versa. 
 If when flying high they dart down and wheel about in circles, 
 wind is foreshown. In autumn and winter, if after feeding in 
 the morning they return to the rookery and hang about it, rain 
 is to be expected. — Scotland. 
 
 When rooks fly sporting high in air, 
 It shows that windy storms are near. 
 
 If rooks stay at home, or return in the middle of the day, it 
 will rain ; if they go far abroad, it will be fine. 
 
 Devonshire. 
 Crows. When crows go to the water, if they beat it with their wings, 
 
 throw it over them, and scream, it foreshows storms. — Bacon. 
 
 Thrush. The missel-thrush (in Hampshire called the "storm-cock") 
 
 sings particularly loud and long before rain. 
 When the thrush sings at sunset, a fair day will follow. 
 
 Blackbirds. When the voices of blackbirds are unusually shrill, or when 
 blackbirds sing much in the morning, rain will follow. 
 
 [Cuckoo.] Bad for the barley, and good for the corn, 
 
 Early. When the cuckoo comes to an empty thorn. 
 
 If the cuckoo sings when the hedge is brown, 
 Sell thy horse and buy thy corn. — Welsh. 
 [You will not be able to afford horse corn.] 
 
 Late. If the cuckoo sings when the hedge is green, 
 
 Keep thy horse and sell thy corn. 
 [It will be so plentiful that you will have enough and to 
 spare.] 
 
 Miss Jackson's " Shropshire Folk-Lore." 
 
 Midsummer. If the cuckoo does not cease singing at midsummer, corn will 
 be dear. 
 
 Rain. Hesiod mentions the singing of a bird which he calls " kokkux" 
 
 as foreboding three days' rain. — C. Swainson. 
 
 Cuckoos In ancient Greece the young figs and the cuckoos came tc- 
 
 and/igs. gether ; so the same word, "kokkux," served for both. 
 
 Gowk Spring gales about the equinox have been called "gowk 
 
 storms. storms," because they follow the cuckoo. 
 
 Low lands. When the cuckoo is heard in low lands, it indicates rain ; on 
 high lands, fair weather. 
 
Birds. 
 
 137 
 
 In Asia the rose and nightingale were similarly allied. 
 
 When woodpeckers are much heard, rain will follow. 
 
 The call of the ?ieigh-ho (woodpecker) forebodes rain. 
 
 Shropshire. 
 
 [Birds.] 
 Nightingale 
 and rose. 
 
 [Wood- 
 peckers.! 
 
 When the woodpecker leaves, expect a hard winter. When Leaving. 
 woodpeckers peck low on the trees, expect warm weather. 
 
 The ivory-billed woodpecker, commencing at the bottom end Pecking 
 of a tree, and going to the top, removing all the outer bark, tyees - 
 indicates a hard winter, with deep snow. — United States. 
 
 The yaffel, or green woodpecker (called also the "rain-bird "), Crying. 
 cries at the approach of rain, and is described as " laughing in 
 the sun, because the rain is coming." 
 
 For anglers in spring it is always unlucky to see single Magpies. 
 magpies ; but two may always be regarded as a favourable 
 omen. And the reason is, that in cold and stormy weather one 
 magpie alone leaves the nest in search of food, the other 
 remaining sitting with the eggs or the young ones ; but when 
 two go out together, it is only when the weather is mild and 
 warm, and favourable for fishing. 
 
 Magpies flying three or four together and uttering harsh cries 
 predict windy weather. 
 
 When three daws are seen on St. Peter's vane together, Jackdaws. 
 Then we're sure to have bad weather. — Norwich. 
 
 Shower-bringing daws 
 
 Shall caw their last. — Tooke's " Lucian." 
 
 The titmouse foretells cold, if crying, " Pincher." Titmouse. 
 
 The saw-like note of the great titmouse foretells rain. 
 
 C. Swainson. 
 
 Ravens, when they croak continuously, denote wind ; but if Ravens. 
 the croaking is interrupted or stifled, or at longer intervals, 
 they show rain. — Bacon. 
 
 If ravens croak three or four times and flap their wings, fine 
 weather is expected. 
 
 The corbie said unto the craw, 
 "Johnnie, fling your plaid awa'"; 
 The craw says unto the corbie, 
 " Johnnie, fling your plaid about ye." 
 [In Scotland it is believed that if the raven cries first in 
 
 the morning, it will be a good day ; if the rook, the 
 
 reverse. — C. Swainson.] 
 
 Raven and 
 rook. 
 
138 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 \ Birds.] , . , . ,. 
 
 Screech-owl. A screeching owl indicates cold or storm. 
 
 [Owls.] If owls hoot at night, expect fair weather. 
 
 Change. The whooping of an owl was thought by the ancients to 
 
 betoken a change of weather, from fair to wet, or from wet to 
 fair. But with us an owl, when it whoops clearly and freely, 
 generally shows fair weather, especially in winter. — Bacon. 
 
 Screaming. If owls scream during bad weather, there will be a change. 
 
 Dirt-owl. The dirt-bird (or dirt-owl) sings, and we shall have rain. 
 
 [Robins.] If robins are seen near houses, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 Singing. On a summer evening, though the weather may be in an 
 
 unsettled and rainy state, he (the robin) sometimes takes his 
 stand on the topmost twig, or on the housetop, singing cheer- 
 fully and sweetly. When this is observed, it is an unerring 
 promise of succeeding fine days. Sometimes, though the 
 atmosphere is dry and warm, he may be seen melancholy, 
 chirping and brooding in a bush, or low in a hedge : this 
 promises the reverse of his merry lay and exalted station. 
 Anecdotes of the Animal Kingdom, " Saturday 
 Magazine," February iith, 1837. 
 
 In morning. Robins indicate the approach of spring. Long and loud sing- 
 ing of robins in the morning denotes rain. Robins will perch 
 on the topmost branches of trees and whistle when a storm 
 is approaching. 
 
 In bushes. 
 On bams. 
 
 On ground. 
 
 Starlings, 
 
 etc. 
 
 [Swallows.] 
 High flight. 
 
 Low flight. 
 
 Swallows 
 and swifts. 
 
 [Martins.] 
 
 Frost. 
 
 Rain. 
 
 If the robin sings in the bush, 
 
 Then the weather will be coarse ; 
 
 If the robin sings on the barn, 
 
 Then the weather will be warm. — East Anglia. 
 
 If a robin sings on a high branch of a tree, it is a sign of fine 
 weather ; but if one sings near the ground, the weather will 
 be wet. — Oswestry. 
 
 If starlings and crows congregate together in large numbers, 
 expect rain. 
 
 When swallows fleet, soar high, and sport in air, 
 He told us that the welkin would be clear. — Gay. 
 
 If swallows touch the water as they fly, rain approaches. 
 
 When there are many more swifts than swallows in the spring, 
 expect a hot and dry summer. — C. L. Prince. 
 
 When martins appear, winter has broken. 
 
 No killing frost after martins. 
 
 Martins fly low before and during rainy weather. 
 
 Major Dunwoody. 
 
Birds. 
 
 139 
 
 The plaintive note of the " shilfa " or "sheely " (chaffinch) is [Birds.] 
 interpreted as a sign of rain. When, therefore, the boys hear Finches. 
 it, they first imitate it, and then rhymingly refer to the expected 
 consequences : — 
 
 Weet-weet ! 
 Dreep-dreep ! 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 When the finch chirps, rain follows. 
 If sparrows chirp a great deal, wet weather will ensue. 
 
 If the hedge-sparrow is heard before the grape-vine is putting 
 forth its buds, it is said that a good crop is in store. 
 
 If larks fly high and sing long, expect fine weather. 
 
 Field-larks congregating in flocks indicate severe cold. 
 
 When wrens are seen in winter, expect snow. 
 
 United States. 
 
 A heron, when it soars high, so as sometimes to fly above 
 
 a low cloud, shows wind ; but kites flying high show fair 
 
 weather.— Bacon. 
 
 When the heron or bittern flies low, the air is gross and 
 
 thickening into showers. 
 
 Herons in the evening flying up and down, as if doubtful 
 
 where to rest, presages some evil-approaching weather. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 
 Mark yearly when, among the clouds on high, 
 Thou hear'st the shrill crane's migratory cry, 
 Of ploughing-time the sign and wintry rains. 
 
 Hesiod's Works, Elton's Translation. 
 
 Their high, aerial flight the cranes suspend, 
 And to the earth in broken ranks descend. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus.'' 
 [A sign of bad weather.] 
 And when the cranes their course unbroken steer, 
 Beating with clanging wings the echoing air, 
 These hail, prognostics sure of weather fair. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 The prudent husbandman, while autumn lasts, 
 His precious seed on the broad furrow casts, 
 And fearless marks the marshalled cranes on high, 
 Seeking in southern climes a milder sky. 
 Not so the idle fanner, who delays, 
 And trusts to treacherous winter's shortened days. 
 He hears their screams and clanging wings with fear, 
 Prognostics sure of frost-bound winter near. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 Sparrows. 
 
 Hedge- 
 sparrow. 
 
 [Larks.] 
 
 Flocks. 
 
 Wrens. 
 
 [Herons.] 
 Flight. 
 
 Restless. 
 
 [Cranes.] 
 Crying. 
 
 Alighting. 
 
 Flight. 
 
 Autumn. 
 
 Winter. 
 
140 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Cranes soaring aloft and quietly in the air foreshows fair 
 weather ; but if they make much noise, as consulting which 
 way to go, it foreshows a storm that's near at hand. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 
 If cranes appear in autumn early, a. severe winter is expected. 
 
 It is said in Wiltshire that the marsh harriers, or dunpickles 
 {Circus rufus), alight in great numbers on the downs before 
 rain. — C. Swainson. 
 
 When men-of-war hawks fly high, it is a sign of a clear sky ; 
 When they fly low, prepare for a blow. 
 
 The peaceful kingfishers are met together 
 
 About the decks, and prophesy calm weather. — Wild. 
 
 When dotterel do fast appear, 
 
 It shows that frost is very near ; 
 
 But when the dotterel do go, 
 
 Then you may look for heavy snow. — Scotland. 
 
 If the fulmar seek land, it is a sign to the inhabitants of 
 St. Kilda that the west wind is far off. 
 
 Water-fowl meeting and flocking together, but especially sea. 
 gulls and coots flying rapidly to shore from the sea or lakes, 
 particularly if they scream, and playing on the dry land, 
 foreshow wind ; and this is more certain if they do it in the 
 morning. — Bacon. 
 
 [Sea-birds.] If sea-fowl retire to the shore or marshes, a storm approaches. 
 
 [Birds.] 
 Cranes. 
 Noisy. 
 
 Early. 
 
 Marsh 
 harriers. 
 
 Hawks. 
 
 Kingfishers. 
 
 Dottert 
 
 Fnhnar. 
 
 Water-fowl. 
 
 When sea-birds fly out early and far to seaward, moderate 
 winds and fair weather may be expected. When they hang 
 about the land or over it, sometimes flying inland, expect a 
 strong wind with stormy weather. 
 
 Sea-gull, sea-gull, sit on the sand ; 
 
 It's never good weather while you're on the land. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 Sea-gulls in the field indicate a storm from south-east. 
 
 The arrival of sea-gulls from the Solway Frith to Holywood, 
 Dumfriesshire, is generally followed by a high wind and heavy 
 rain from the south-west. 
 
 Sea-mews early in the morning making a gaggling more than 
 ordinary foretoken stormy and blustering weather. 
 
 Numerous. When sea-mews appear in unwonted numbers, expect rain 
 and high south-west winds. 
 
 Flight. 
 
 [Gulls.] 
 Sitting on 
 land. 
 
 Arrival. 
 
 Noisy. 
 
Fish, Molluscs, etc. 141 
 
 Petrels gathering under the stern of a ship indicate bad [Birds.] 
 
 weather. Petrels. 
 
 The stormy petrel is found to be a sure token of stormy Stormy 
 
 weather. When these birds gather in numbers in the wake petrel. 
 of a ship, the sailors feel sure of an impending tempest. 
 
 In the English Channel the curlew flying on dark nights is Curlew. 
 considered as a sure precursor of an east wind. 
 
 jftsb, /l&olluscs, etc. 
 
 Fish. 
 Fishes rise more than usual at the approach of a storm. In Rising 
 some parts of England they are said not to bite so well before 
 rain. 
 
 When fish bite readily and swim near the surface, rain may be Feeding. 
 expected : they become inactive just before thunder-showers. 
 
 Fish bite the least 
 With wind in the east. 
 
 When porpoises and whales spout about ships at sea, storms Whales. 
 may be expected. 
 
 [Note. — The whales are for the purposes of this work 
 considered as among the fishes.— R. I.] 
 
 Porpoises are said to swim in the direction from which the [Porpoises.] 
 wind is coming : they run into bays and round islands before 
 a storm. 
 
 Porpoises in harbour indicate coming storm. In harbour. 
 
 When porpoises swim to windward, foul weather will ensue •^ Wlmmtn g 
 
 . . . . . to zuind- 
 
 within twelve hours. ward. 
 
 Dolphins pursuing one another in calm weather foreshow [Dolphins.] 
 wind, and from that part whence they fetch their frisks ; but Playing. 
 if they play in rough weather, it is a sign of a coming calm. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 
 Dolphins, as well as porpoises, when they come about a ship 
 and sport and gambol on the surface of the water, betoken 
 a storm ; hence they are regarded as unlucky omens by 
 sailors. 
 
 As dolphins heave their backs above the wave, 
 Prognosticating angry tempests black. 
 
 Dante's " Inferno," Canto XXII., Line 19. 
 
 Dolphins sporting in a calm sea are thought to prognosticate 
 wind from that quarter whence they come ; but if they play 
 in a rough sea, and throw the water about, it will be fine. 
 Most other kinds of fish, when they swim at the top of the 
 water, or sometimes leap out of it, foretell rain — Bacon. 
 
142 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Fish.] If dolphins are seen to leap and toss, fine weather may be 
 
 Dolphins. expected, and the wind will blow from the quarter in which 
 they are seen. 
 
 Sharks. Sharks go out to sea at the approach of a cold wave. 
 
 [Cat-fish.] Fish swim up stream and cat-fish jump out of the water 
 before rain. 
 
 Skin. 
 
 [Cod-fish.] 
 Ballast. 
 
 If the skin on the belly of the cat-fish is unusually thick, it 
 indicates a cold winter ; if not, a mild winter will follow. 
 
 Negro. 
 
 The cod is said to take in ballast before a storm. It is said 
 by Sergeant McGillivray, Signal Corps, U.S.A., that there is 
 one well-authenticated instance of this saying. A number of 
 cod were taken twelve hours before a severe gale, and it was 
 found that each had swallowed a number of small stones, 
 some of the stones weighing three or four ounces. 
 
 [Salmon When salmon and trout are plentiful in the river (Columbia), 
 
 and trout.] it i s a sign that there has been abundance of rain in the 
 Plentiful. surrounding country. 
 
 Not biting. When trout refuse bait or fly, 
 
 There ever is a storm a-nigh. 
 
 Bass. On Lake Ontario black bass leave shoal water before a 
 
 thunderstorm. This has been observed twenty-four hours 
 before the storm. 
 
 Eels. If eels are very lively, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 Mullet. Mullet run south on the approach of cold northerly wind and 
 
 Pike. 
 
 Black-fish. 
 Loach. 
 
 Cockles. 
 Cuttle-fish. 
 
 Clam. 
 
 Sea- 
 anemone. 
 
 When pike lie on the bed of a stream quietly, expect rain or 
 wind. 
 
 Black-fish in schools indicate an approaching gale. 
 
 The loach is said to be restless before stormy weather. The 
 lake loach of the Continent (Colitis fossilis) remains at rest 
 in the mud in calm weather ; but when a storm approaches, 
 it rises to the surface and moves about uneasily. 
 
 J. W. G. Gutch. 
 
 Cockles, it is said, have more gravel sticking to their shells 
 before a tempest. — Thomas Willsford. 
 
 Cuttle-fish swimming on the surface portend a storm. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 
 Air bubbles over the clam-beds indicate rain. 
 
 The sea-anemone closes before rain, and opens for fine, clear 
 weather.— J. W. G. Gutch. 
 
THE LEECH BAROMETER 
 
 > 
 
 I 
 
 FROM AN OLD SPANISH DRAWING. 
 
 RkhoRdUvVARDS 
 
 See page 143. 
 
Fish, Molluscs, etc. 143 
 
 Sea-urchins striving to thrust themselves into the mud, or to [Sea- 
 cover their bodies with sand, foreshow a storm. urchin or 
 
 Thomas Willsford. echinus.j 
 
 The echinus is said to sink to the bottom of the sea and fasten Sinking. 
 itself firmly to sea-weeds, etc., before a storm. — E. Darwin. 
 
 The ordinary medicinal leech has been long regarded as a [Leeches.] 
 weather prophet, and I met with an old Spanish drawing 
 [see Plate 2] in Seville, giving nine positions of the leech, Plate 2. 
 with nine verses describing his behaviour under various 
 weather conditions. On the top of the drawing was the in- 
 scription, Dios sobre todo (God above all). The verses were 
 to the following effect (the numbers refer to those on the 
 drawing) : — 
 
 1. If the leech take up a position in the bottle's neck, rain Stationary. 
 is at hand. 
 
 2. If he form a half-moon, when he is out of the water and Curled up. 
 sticking to the glass, sure sign of a tempest. 
 
 3. If he is in continual movement, thunder and lightning Restless. 
 soon. 
 
 4. If he seem as if trying to raise himself from the surface 
 of the water, a change in the weather. 
 
 5. If he move slowly close to one spot, cold weather. Sluggish. 
 
 6. If he move rapidly about, expect strong wind when he Agitated. 
 stops. 
 
 7. If he lie coiled up on the bottom, fine, clear weather. Coiled. 
 
 8. If forming a hook, clear and cold weather. 
 
 9. If in a fixed position, very cold weather is certain to Fixed. 
 follow. 
 
 Dr. Merry weather, of Whitby, has gone the length of contriving Tempest 
 
 an apparatus by which one at least of twelve leeches confined prognostica- 
 
 in bottles of water rang a little bell when a tempest was 
 
 expected. He showed this at the Great Exhibition of 1851, 
 
 and advised the Government to establish leech-warning 
 
 stations along the coast. Nothing came of it, except his 
 
 book, An Essay Explanatory of the Tempest Prognosticator 
 
 (London: 185 1). 
 
 The leeches remain at the bottom during absolutely fine and Leeches in a 
 
 calm wet weather. When a change in the former is approach- b boUle J 
 
 ing, they move steadily upwards many hours, even twenty-four, 
 
 or rather more, in advance. If a storm is rapidly approaching, 
 
 the leeches become very restless, rising quickly ; while previous 
 
 to a thunderstorm they are invariably much disturbed, and 
 
 remain out of the water. When the change occurs and is 
 
 passing over, they are quiet, and descend again. If under 
 
 these circumstances they rise and continue above water, 
 
 length or violence of storm is indicated. If they rise during 
 
144 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Leeches in a 
 glass jar or 
 bottle. 
 
 [Snails." 
 Rain. 
 
 Earth- 
 worms. 
 
 [Glow- 
 worms.] 
 Damp. 
 Rain. 
 
 Dry. 
 
 a continuance of east wind, strong winds rather than rain are 
 to be looked for. When a storm comes direct from a distance, 
 observe the rapid rising alluded to above, but much less 
 notice is given, four to six hours. When heavy rains or 
 strong winds are approaching, the leeches are restless, but 
 their movements are less rapid, and they often remain half 
 out of the water and quiet. — Elizabeth Woollams. 
 
 A leech confined in a bottle of water is always agitated when 
 a change of weather is about to take place. Before high 
 winds it moves about with much celerity. Previous to slight 
 rain or snow it creeps to the top of the bottle, but soon sinks ; 
 but if the rain or wind is likely to be of long duration, the 
 leech remains a longer time at the surface. If thunder 
 approaches, the leech starts about in an agitated and con- 
 vulsive manner. 
 
 When black snails cross your path, 
 Black cloud much moisture hath. 
 
 Snailie, snailie, shoot out your horn, 
 
 And tell us if it will be a bonnie day the morn. 
 
 If snails and slugs come out abundantly, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 When black snails on the road you see, 
 Then on the morrow rain will be. 
 
 If many earth-worms appear, it presages rain. 
 
 When the glow-worm lights her lamp, 
 The air is always damp. 
 
 Before rain 
 Glow-worms numerous, clear, and bright 
 Illume the dewy hills at night. — United States. 
 
 If glow-worms shine much, it will rain. 
 
 When the glow-worm glows, dry, hot weather follows. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Serpent 
 worship 
 and 
 rain. 
 
 Snakes. 
 
 "IRepttles, etc. 
 
 Mr. Fergusson, in his Tree and Serpent Worship, states that 
 " the chief characteristic of the serpents throughout the East 
 in all ages seems to have been their power over the wind and 
 rain, which they gave or withheld, according to their good or 
 ill will towards man.'' 
 
 Hanging a dead snake on a tree will produce rain in a few 
 hours. — Negro. 
 
 [Note. — Snakes are out before rain, and are therefore more 
 easily killed. — Major Dunwoody.] 
 
Reptiles, etc. 145 
 
 In Oregon the approach of snakes indicates that a spell of [Snakes.] 
 fine weather will follow. 
 
 When snakes are hunting food, rain may be expected ; after Hunting 
 a rain they cannot be found. food. 
 
 Snake-trails may be seen near houses before rain. Trails. 
 
 Rain is foretold by the appearance and activity of snakes. Rain. 
 
 When small water-snakes leave the sand in low, damp lands, Water- 
 hosts may be expected in three days. — Apache Indians. snakes. 
 
 Croaking frogs in spring will be three times frozen in. [Frogs.] 
 
 C YO CI k I M f 
 
 When frogs warble, they herald rain. — ZuSi Indians. 
 The louder the frog, the more the rain. 
 When frogs croak much, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 Yellow frogs are accounted a good sign in a hay-field, pro- Yellow. 
 bably as indicating fine weather. 
 
 If frogs make a noise in the time of cold rain, warm, dry Noisy. 
 weather will follow. 
 
 If frogs, instead of yellow, appear russet green, it will pre- Colour. 
 
 sently rain. 
 
 Mr. Stroh informs me it was common to see in Germany and Green frog. 
 
 Switzerland a small green frog kept in a glass vessel half 
 
 full of water, with a set of wooden steps leading down into 
 
 the water; and the weather was supposed to be indicated by 
 
 the position of the frog. If he remained in the water, fine 
 
 weather was expected ; if he emerged and sa upon the steps, 
 
 rain and cold were indicated. 
 
 When frogs spawn in the middle of the water, it is a sign of Spawning. 
 drought ; and when at the side, it foretells a wet summer. 
 
 Scotland. 
 Tree-frogs piping during rain indicate a continuance. Tree-frogs. 
 
 Tree-frogs crawl up to the branches of trees before a change Change. 
 of weather. 
 
 The green tree-frog becomes very unquiet before rain. Rain. 
 
 Tortoises creep deep into the ground, so as to completely Tortoises. 
 
 conceal themselves from view, when a severe winter is to 
 
 follow. 
 
 A salamander, kept in a bottle in the south of Spain, changed Salamander 
 
 his position every day, and took up the most uncouth and 
 
 extraordinary attitudes before a storm 
 
 Almost any of the reptiles which pass the winter in a semi- Reptiles. 
 
 dormant condition show signs by their attitude when any 
 
 marked weather change ensues. 
 
 If toads come out of their holes in great numbers, rain will Toads. 
 
 fall soon. 
 
146 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Insects. 
 
 [Bees.] 
 Returning. 
 
 Early. 
 Swarm. 
 
 Flight. 
 
 Rain. 
 Fine. 
 At home. 
 
 Jnsects. 
 
 The early appearance of insects indicates an early spring and 
 good crops. — Apache Indians. 
 
 When many bees enter the hive and none leave it, rain is 
 near. — Scotland. 
 
 Bees early at work will not go on all day. 
 Bees will not swarm 
 Before a near storm. 
 When bees to distance wing their flight, 
 Days are warm and skies are bright ; 
 But when their flight ends near their home, 
 Stormy weather is sure to come. 
 If bees stay at home, 
 Rain will soon come ; 
 If they fly away, 
 Fine will be the day. 
 When charged with stormy matter lower the skies, 
 The busy bee at home her labour plies ; 
 Nor seeks the distant field and honeyed flower, 
 Returning laden'd with her golden store. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 A bee was never caught in a shower. 
 
 Ants withdraw into their nests and busy themselves with their 
 eggs before a storm. — Thomas Willsford. 
 
 Ants sometimes get down fifteen inches from the surface before 
 very hot weather. — Communicated by G. W. D. Hannay. 
 If ants their walls do frequent build, 
 Rain will from the clouds be spilled. 
 When ants are situated in low ground, their migration may 
 be taken as an indication of approaching heavy rains. 
 
 Expect stormy weather when ants travel in lines, and fair 
 weather when they scatter. 
 
 If in the beginning of July the ants are enlarging and building 
 up their piles, an early and cold winter will follow. 
 
 An open ant-hole indicates clear weather; a closed one, an 
 approaching storm. 
 
 If ants are more than ordinarily active, or if they remove their 
 eggs from small hills, it will surely rain. 
 
 Wasps building nests in exposed places indicate a dry 
 
 season. 
 
 Wasps in great numbers and busy indicate warm weather. 
 
 Hornets build nests high before warm summers, and low 
 before cold and early winters. 
 
 [Ants.] 
 Retiring. 
 
 Building. 
 Migration. 
 
 Travelling. 
 
 Fiily. 
 
 Ant-kills 
 open and 
 closed. 
 
 Active. 
 XVasps. 
 
 Hornets. 
 
Insects. 147 
 
 When bounteous autumn crowns the circling year, Hornets. 
 
 And fields and groves his russet livery wear, 
 
 If from the earth the numerous hornets rise, 
 
 Sweeping a living whirlwind through the skies, 
 
 Then close on autumn's steps will winter stern 
 
 With blustering winds and chilling rains return. 
 
 Pity the wretch who shelterless remains, 
 
 And the keen blast, half fed, half clad, sustains. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 Spiders work hard and spin their webs a little before wind, as [Spiders.] 
 if desiring to anticipate it, for they cannot spin when the wind Busy. 
 begins to blow. — Bacon. 
 
 Before rain or wind spiders fix their frame-lines unusually Rain. 
 short. If they make them very long, the weather will usually 
 be fine for fourteen days. 
 
 If the spiders are totally indolent, rain generally soon follows. Indolent. 
 Their activity during rain is a certain proof of its short dura- 
 tion. If they mend their webs between 6 and 7 p.m., it is a 
 sign of a serene night. — J. W. G. Gutch. 
 
 Spiders generally change their webs once in every twenty-four Changing 
 hours. If they make the change between 6 and 7 p.m., expect webs - 
 a fair night. If they change their web in the morning, a fine 
 day may be expected. 
 
 Spiders, when they are seen crawling on the walls more than On walls. 
 usually, indicate that rain will probably ensue. This prognostic 
 seldom fails, particularly in winter. 
 
 If spiders break off and remove their webs, the weather will Removing. 
 be wet. 
 
 If spiders make new webs, and ants build new hills, the Renewing 
 weather will be clear. webs. 
 
 If the spider works during rain, it is an indication that the Working. 
 weather will soon be clear. 
 
 When the spider cleans its web, fair weather is indicated. Cleaning. 
 
 Spiders creep out of their holes against wind and rain, Creeping out 
 Minerva having made them sensible of an approaching storm. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 
 If spiders in spinning their webs make the terminating fila- Mode of 
 
 ments long, we may, in proportion to their lengths, expect working. 
 rain. 
 
 When spiders' webs in air do fly, Spiders' 
 
 The spell will soon be very dry. webs - 
 
148 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Spiders' 
 
 webs. 
 
 Dewy. 
 
 Long. 
 
 Garden 
 spiders. 
 
 Gossamer. 
 
 Scorpions. 
 Tarantulas. 
 
 Woodlice. 
 
 Harvest 
 
 flies. 
 
 [House 
 flies.] 
 
 Spiders' webs scattered thickly over a field covered with dew 
 glistening in the morning sun indicate rain. 
 
 Long, single, separate spiders' webs on grass indicate frost 
 
 next night. — Ireland. 
 
 Spiders' webs floating at autumn sunset 
 Bring a night frost — this you may bet. 
 
 United States. 
 
 If garden spiders forsake their cobwebs, rain is at hand. 
 
 If the garden spiders break and destroy their webs and creep 
 away, expect continued rain. 
 
 Spiders in motion indicate rain. 
 
 When you see gossamer flying, 
 
 Be sure the air is drying. 
 When scorpions crawl, expect dry weather. 
 
 When tarantulas crawl by day, rain will surely come. 
 
 California. 
 If woodlice run about in great numbers, expect rain. 
 
 When harvest flies hum, 
 
 Warm weather to come. 
 
 house. 
 Rhyme. 
 
 Clinging. 
 Seasons. 
 
 Stinging. 
 Fall bugs. 
 Fleas. 
 
 Butterflies 
 
 House flies coming into the house in great numbers indicate 
 rain. 
 
 A fly on your nose, you slap, and it goes ; 
 
 If it comes back again, it will bring a good rain. 
 If flies cling much to the ceilings, or disappear, rain may be 
 expected. 
 
 If flies in the spring or summer grow busier or blinder than at 
 other times, or are seen to shroud themselves in warm places, 
 expect either hail, cold storms of rain, or much wet weather. 
 
 If in autumn the flies repair unto their winter quarters, it 
 presages frosty mornings, cold storms, and the approach of 
 winter. Atoms or small flies swarming together and sporting 
 in the sunbeams give omen of fair weather. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 If flies sting and are more troublesome than usual, a change 
 approaches. 
 
 Fall bugs begin to chirp six weeks before a frost in the fall. 
 
 United States. 
 
 When fleas do very many grow 
 
 Then 'twill surely rain or snow. 
 
 When eager bites the thirsty flea, 
 
 Clouds and rain you sure shall see. 
 The early appearance of butterflies is said to indicate fine 
 weather. 
 
Insects. 149 
 
 When the white butterfly flies from the south-west, expect Butterflies. 
 
 rain. 
 
 When the butterfly comes, comes also the summer. 
 
 Zuni Indians. 
 
 When the chrysalides are found suspended from the under Chrysalides. 
 side of rails, branches, etc., as if to protect them from rain, 
 expect much rain. If they are found on slender branches, 
 fair weather will last some time. — Western Pennsylvania. 
 Fireflies in great numbers indicate fair weather. Fireflies. 
 
 If little flies or gnats be seen to hover together about the [Gnats,] 
 beams of the sun before it set, and fly together, making, as it I" evening. 
 were, the form of a pillar, it is a sure token of fair weather. 
 
 Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 If gnats play up and down, it is a sign of heat ; but if in Sporting. 
 
 the shade, it presages mild showers. If they collect in the 
 
 evening before sunset, and form a vortex or column, fine 
 
 weather will follow ; while if they sting much, it is held to 
 
 be an unfailing indication of rain. 
 
 Gnats in October are a sign of long fair weather. I" October. 
 
 Many gnats in spring indicate that the autumn will be warm. Numerous. 
 
 If gnats fly in large numbers, the weather will be fine. 
 
 If gnats bite sharper than usual, expect rain. Biting. 
 
 If gnats fly in compact bodies in the beams of the setting sun, Swarming. 
 
 expect fine weather. 
 
 When locusts are heard, dry weather will follow, and frost Locusts. 
 
 will occur in six weeks. — United States. 
 
 When crickets chirp unusually, wet is expected. Crickets. 
 
 It is easy to foretell what sort of summer it will be by the Larva of 
 
 position in which the larva of Cicada (Aphrophora spumarid) Ucada - 
 
 is found to lie in the froth (cuckoo spit) in which it is 
 
 enveloped. If the insect lie with its head upwards, it 
 
 infallibly denotes a dry summer ; if downwards, a wet one. 
 
 Before rain beetles and crickets are more troublesome than Beetles and 
 
 , crickets. 
 
 usual. 
 
 The clock beetle, which flies about in the summer evenings Clock beetle. 
 
 in a circular direction, with a loud, buzzing noise, is said to 
 
 foretell a fine day. It was consecrated by the Egyptians to 
 
 the sun.— C. Swainson. 
 
 If the clock beetle flies circularly and buzzes, it is a sign of 
 
 fine weather. 
 
 A certain long-bodied beetle is called in Bedfordshire the R a h, beetle. 
 
 " rain beetle," on account of its always appearing before rain. 
 
 When little black insects appear on the snow, expect a thaw. Black insects 
 
150 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 UMants, etc. 
 
 The vegetable world has not escaped the notice of the weather prophets, 
 and many plants have been observed to give indications of stormy weather 
 long before it actually takes place. The closing, for instance, of the pink- 
 eyed pimpernel, or ploughman's weather glass, is better understood among 
 the Bedfordshire labourers than the indications of any instrument, and has 
 to them the great advantage of being in the fields where they work, of being 
 easily understood, and of costing nothing. From the blossoming and 
 fruition of certain plants a rough code of rules has also been laid down as 
 to the coming harvest, the time for sowing, and the severity or mildness 
 of the seasons. These will be found mentioned in their proper places. 
 
 Trees. 
 
 [Leaves.] 
 
 Rattling. 
 
 Turning. 
 
 Curling. 
 Falling. 
 
 Remaining. 
 
 Flying. 
 
 [Flowers.] 
 
 Early. 
 
 Date of 
 
 plants 
 
 flowering 
 
 Dead 
 branches. 
 
 [Oak and 
 
 ASH.] 
 
 Trees snapping and cracking in the autumn indicate dry 
 weather. 
 
 When dry leaves rattle on the trees, expect snow. 
 
 When the leaves show their under sides, 
 Be very sure that rain betides. 
 
 When the leaves of trees curl with the wind from the south, 
 it indicates rain. 
 
 The leaves of trees fall sooner on the south side ; but vine 
 shoots burst out on that side, and have scarce any other 
 aspect. — Pliny. 
 
 If on the trees the leaves still hold, 
 The coming winter will be cold. 
 
 Leaves and straws playing in the air when no breeze is felt, 
 the down of plants flying about, and feathers floating and 
 playing on the water, show that winds are at hand. — Bacon. 
 
 The odour of flowers is more apparent just before a shower 
 (when the air is moist) than at any other time. 
 
 Early blossoms indicate a bad fruit year. 
 
 Miss Ormerod, F.R.Met.Soc, has noticed that bulbous and 
 surface-rooted plants have wider differences as to the date 
 of first flowering than the deeper-rooted plants. This is on 
 account of the deep-rooted plants being slower to acquire the 
 temperature of the air. 
 
 Dead branches falling in calm weather indicate rain. 
 
 Plenty of berries indicates a severe winter. 
 
 When the oak comes out before the ash, there will be fine 
 weather in harvest ; but when the ash comes out before the 
 oak, the harvest will be wet. — Midland Counties. 
 
Plants, etc. 151 
 
 When the ash is out before the oak, [Oak and 
 
 Then we may expect a choke [drought] ; ash.\ 
 
 When the oak is out before the ash, Budding. 
 
 Then we may expect a splash [rain]. 
 
 Shropshire. 
 If the oak's before the ash, 
 Then you'll only get a splash ; 
 But if the ash precedes the oak, 
 Then you may expect a soak. 
 
 When buds the oak before the ash, 
 You'll only have a summer splash. 
 
 The ash before the oak, 
 Choke, choke, choke ; 
 The oak before the ash, 
 Splash, splash, splash. 
 
 [Contradicting the former.] 
 
 If buds the ash before the oak, 
 You'll surely have a summer soak ; 
 But if behind the oak the ash is, 
 You'll only have a few light splashes. 
 
 Mr. Douglas, of Babworth, says that the oak is always in leaf 
 before the ash, if the subsoil is in a moist state. 
 
 [A correspondent to Notes and Queries, June 2ist, 1873, 
 
 says he never knew the ash to come into leaf before 
 
 the oak.] 
 
 If the ash is out before the oak, 
 You may expect a thorough soak ; 
 If the oak is out before the ash, 
 You'll hardly get a single splash. 
 
 Oak, smoke [summer hot]. 
 Ash, squash [summer wet]. 
 
 If the oak is out before the ash, 
 Twill be a summer of wet and splash ; 
 But if the ash is before the oak, 
 'Twill be a summer of fire and smoke. 
 
 Hampshire. 
 
 The oak gall is examined by the Spanish peasants when the [Oak. 
 wheat is in ear. If they find a maggot, they say the harvest Gall. 
 will be good ; if an insect already hatched, the contrary. 
 You must look for grass on the top of an oak tree. Budding. 
 
 [i.e., the grass seldom springs well till the oak comes out. 
 If the oak bear much mast [acorns], it foreshows a long and Fruitful. 
 hard winter. — Worledge. 
 
152 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Oak.J 
 Oak apples. 
 
 Ash. 
 
 Beech and 
 oak. 
 
 Beech nuts. 
 
 Elm leaves 
 and barley 
 sowing. 
 
 Elm leaves 
 and kidney 
 beans. 
 
 Silver maple. 
 
 Sugar 
 maple. 
 
 Pine. 
 
 Mulberry. 
 
 Almondtrce. 
 
 Sloe tree. 
 
 Cottonwood 
 and quaking 
 asp. 
 
 When the oak puts on his gosling grey, 
 'Tis time to sow barley, night or day. 
 
 There is a superstition about examining the oak apples on 
 September 29th, and auguries are inferred from their condition. 
 See Husbandman's Practice ; or, Prognostication For Ever. 
 Quoted by C. Swainson in "Weather Folk-Lore." 
 
 Black as ash buds in the front of March. — Tennyson. 
 
 When beech mast thrives well, and oak trees hang full, a hard 
 winter will follow, with much snow. 
 
 When beech nuts are plentiful, expect a mild winter. 
 
 When the elmen leaf is as big as a mouse's ear, 
 Then to sow barley never fear. 
 When the elmen leaf is as big as an ox's eye, 
 Then says I, " Hie, boys ! hie ! " 
 
 "Field," April 28th, 1866. 
 
 When elm leaves are as big as a shilling, 
 Plant kidney beans, if to plant 'em you're willing ; 
 When elm leaves are as big as a penny, 
 You must plant kidney beans, if you mean to have any. 
 
 Worcestershire. 
 
 The silver maple shows the lining of its leaf before a storm. 
 
 United States. 
 
 When the leaves of the sugar maple tree are turned upside- 
 down, expect rain. — United States. 
 
 Pine cones hung up in the house will close themselves against 
 wet and cold weather, and open against hot and dry times. 
 
 Thomas Willsford. 
 
 When the mulberry has shown green leaf, there will be no 
 more frost. — Gloucestershire. 
 
 When the mulberry buds and puts forth its leaves, fear no 
 frosts or bad weather. — Pliny. 
 
 Mark well the flowering almonds in the wood : 
 If odorous blooms the bearing branches load, 
 The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign, 
 Great heats will follow, and large crops of grain ; 
 But if a wood of leaves o'ershades the tree, 
 Such and so barren will the harvest be. 
 
 Virgil's " Georgics." 
 
 When the sloe tree is white as a sheet, 
 Sow your barley, whether it be dry or wet. 
 
 Cottonwood and quaking asp trees turn up their leaves before 
 rain. — United States. 
 
Plants, etc. 153 
 
 Trembling of aspen leaves in calm weather indicates an Aspen 
 approaching storm. — United States. leaves. 
 
 Before rain the leaves of the lime, sycamore, plane, and poplar Leaves. 
 trees show a great deal more of their under surfaces when 
 trembling in the wind. 
 [A'ofe — This is because the damp air softens the leat stalks.] 
 
 When the blooms of the dogwood tree are full, expect a cold Dogwood 
 winter ; when the blooms of the same are light, expect a warm blossoms. 
 winter. 
 
 Frost will not occur after the dogwood blossoms. 
 
 United States. 
 
 You may shear your sheep Elder 
 
 When the elder blossoms peep. blossom. 
 
 Witches were thought to produce bad weather by stirring Elder bush. 
 water with branches of elder. 
 
 When cockle burs mature brown, it indicates frost. Cockle burs. 
 
 United States. 
 
 Its always cold when the hawthorn blossoms. Hawthorn. 
 
 Harvest follows in thirteen weeks after the milk-white thorn Thorn. 
 scents the air. — Scotch. 
 
 If many whitethorn blossoms or dog-roses are seen, expect a Whitethorns 
 
 severe winter. roses. 
 
 When the bramble blossoms early in June, an early harvest is Bramble. 
 expected. — Scotland. 
 
 Dead nettles in abundance late in the year are a sign of a mild Dead nettle. 
 winter. — United States. 
 
 Just before rain or heavy dew the wild indigo closes or folds Wild indigo. 
 
 its leaves. — United States. 
 
 Corn (Indian) fodder dry and crisp indicates fair weather; Corn fodder 
 
 but damp and limp, rain. It is very sensitive to hygrometric 
 
 changes. 
 
 Ears of corn (Indian) are said to be covered with thicker and Com husks. 
 
 stronger husks before hard winters. 
 
 If corn (maize) is hard to husk, expect a hard winter. 
 
 Apache Indians. 
 
 Make hay while the sun shines. Hay. 
 
 A double husk on corn (maize) indicates a severe winter. 
 
 Corn in good years is hay ; in ill years straw is corn. Com and 
 
 T. Fuller. ha J- 
 
 Sow wheat in dirt, and rye in dust. 
 
 Wheat and 
 rye. 
 
154 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Wildcat. 
 
 Hay and 
 buckwheat. 
 
 [Beans.] 
 Sowing. 
 
 Whitlow 
 grass. 
 
 Sensitive 
 plants. 
 
 Abrus pre- 
 catorius. 
 
 Daffodns. 
 
 [Dande- 
 lions.] 
 
 Down. 
 Closing. 
 
 Blooming. 
 Wood sorrel. 
 Trefoil. 
 
 Wood 
 anemone 
 and 
 swallows. 
 
 A beard of wild oat, with its adhering capsule, fixed on a 
 stand, serves the purpose of a hygrometer, twisting itself more 
 or less, according to the moisture of the air. — E. Darwin. 
 
 If the hay is black (with wet), the buckwheat will be white 
 (with blossom). — Russia. 
 
 Plant garden beans when the sign is in the scales ; they will 
 hang full. 
 
 Sow beans in the mud, 
 
 And they'll grow like a wood. 
 
 Plant the bean when the moon is light ; 
 Plant potatoes when the moon is dark. 
 
 We may look for wet weather if the leaves of the whitlow 
 grass (Draba verna) droop, and if lady's bedstraw {Galium 
 vertim) becomes inflated and gives out a strong odour. 
 
 Sensitive plants contract their leaves at the approach of rain. 
 
 The so-called " weather plant" is said by some to foretell the 
 weather for an enormous area by the behaviour of its leaves, 
 which when horizontal indicate change : if they slope up- 
 wards, fine weather ; but if they droop, bad weather is to be 
 expected. 
 
 Daffodils 
 That come before the swallow dares, and take 
 The winds of March with beauty. — Shakespeare. 
 
 When the down of the dandelion contracts, it is a sign of 
 rain. 
 
 If the down flyeth off colt's-foot, dandelyon, and thistles, 
 when there is no winde, it is a signe of rain. — Coles. 
 
 The dandelions close their blossoms before a storm ; the 
 sensitive plant its leaves. The leaves of the may tree bear 
 up, so that the under side may be seen before a storm. 
 
 When the dandelions bloom early in spring, there will be a 
 short season. When they bloom late, expect a dry summer. 
 
 A species of wood sorrel contracts its leaves at the approach 
 of rain. 
 
 The stalk of trefoil swells before rain. — Bacon. 
 
 Pliny mentions it as a fact that trefoil bristles and erects its 
 leaves against a storm. — Bacon. 
 
 In Sweden the wood anemone begins to blow on the arrival 
 of the swallow. — Linnjeus. 
 
 The yellow wood anemone and the wind flower (Anemone 
 nemorosd) close their petals and droop before rain. 
 
Plants, etc. 155 
 
 The wood anemone never opens its petals but when the wind Wood 
 blows, whence its name. anemone. 
 
 Clover contracts its leaves at the approach of a storm. [Clover.] 
 
 When clover grass looks rough, and its leaves stand staring Rough. 
 up, it is a sign of a tempest. — Pliny. 
 
 Clover grass is rough to the touch when stormy weather is at 
 hand. 
 
 When the onion's skin is thin and delicate, expect a mild [Onions.] 
 winter ; but when the bulb is covered by a thick coat, it is Skin. 
 held to foreshow a severe season. 
 
 Onion's skin very thin, 
 Mild winter coming in ; 
 Onion's skin thick and tough, 
 Coming winter cold and rough. 
 
 Gardener's Rhyme. 
 
 Mony haws, Hedge fruit. 
 
 Mony snaws ; 
 
 Mony slaes, 
 
 Mony cold taes. — Scotland. 
 
 Mony hips and haws, 
 
 Mony frosts and snaws. — Scotland. 
 
 The broom having plenty of blossoms is a sign of a fruitful Broom. 
 year of com. — Thomas Willsford. 
 
 It was anciently supposed that the burning of fern drew down Fern. 
 
 the rain. 
 
 Mony rains, mony rowans ; * Mountain 
 
 Mony rowans, mony yawns.f — Scotland. ash. 
 
 Chickweed expands it leaves boldly and fully when fine [Chick- 
 weather is to follow ; but if it should shut up, then the weed.] 
 traveller is to put on his great coat. Expanding. 
 
 The half opening of the flowers of the chickweed is a sign Halfopeu- 
 that the wet will not last long. '"£■ 
 
 If the flowers keep open all night, the weather will be wet Night. 
 next day. 
 
 The non-closing of the flower-heads of the sow-thistle warns Siberian 
 us that it will rain next day, whilst the closing of them sow-thistle. 
 denotes fine weather. 
 
 The convolvulus folds up its petals at the approach of rain. Convolvulus. 
 
 * Rowans are the fruit of the mountain ash. 
 
 f Yawns are light grains of wheat, oats, or barley. 
 
156 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 African 
 marigold. 
 
 Cape 
 marigold. 
 
 Marsh 
 
 mari± 
 
 and 
 
 cuckoo. 
 
 Marigold. 
 
 Seaweed. 
 
 Pink-eyea 
 
 pimpernel. 
 
 Teasel. 
 Flowers. 
 
 Cowslip. 
 
 Gentian. 
 Burnet. 
 Toadstools. 
 Thistles. 
 
 If this plant do not open its petals by seven in the morning, 
 it will rain or thunder that day. It also closes before a 
 storm. 
 
 If the small Cape marigold (Calendula pluvialis) should open 
 at six or seven in the morning, and not close till four in the 
 afternoon, we may reckon on settled weather. 
 
 The marsh marigold blows when the cuckoo sings. 
 
 Stillingfleet in England; Linnaeus in Sweden. 
 
 The marigold that goes to bed with the sun, 
 And with him rises, weeping. — Shakespeare. 
 
 A piece of kelp or seaweed hung up will become damp 
 previous to rain. 
 
 When this flower closes in the daytime, it is a sign of rain.* 
 
 Pimpernel, pimpernel, tell me true 
 Whether the weather be fine or no ; 
 No heart can think, no tongue can tell 
 The virtues of the pimpernel. 
 
 "Folk-Lore Journal," 1889. 
 
 Now, look ! Our weather glass is spread — 
 
 The pimpernel, whose flower 
 Closes its leaves of spotted red 
 
 Against a rainy hour. — Professor Wilson. 
 
 Teasel or Fuller's thistle hung up will open for fine weather, 
 and close for wet. — Thomas Willsford. 
 
 The bladder-ketmir, the stemless ground thistle, the marsh 
 marigold, the creeping crowfoot, the wood sorrel, foreshow 
 the weather in various ways — viz., when the flowers of the 
 first do not open, when the second closes its calyx, and when 
 the rest fold their leaves. — Mr. Hanneman, of Proskau. 
 
 The cowslip stalks being short are said to foreshow a dry 
 summer. 
 
 The gentian (Gentiana fineumonanthe) closes up both flowers 
 and leaves before rain. 
 
 The burnet saxifrage (Pimfinella saxifragd) indicates by 
 half opening its flowers that the rain is soon to cease. 
 
 If toadstools spring up in the night in dry weather, they 
 indicate rain. 
 
 Cut 'em in June, they'll come again soon ; 
 
 Cut 'em in July, they may die ; 
 
 Cut 'em in August, die they must. — Shropshire. 
 
 This flower is known as the ploughman's weather glass. 
 
Various. 157 
 
 Not signless by the husbandmen are seen Ilex and 
 
 The Ilex and Lentiscus darkly green. Lentiscus. 
 
 If an abundant crop the Ilex bear, 
 With blighting matter teems the vapoury air ; 
 If with unusual weight its branches groan, 
 Then their light sheaves the hapless farmers moan. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 Thrice in the course of each revolving year 
 
 On the Lentiscus flowers and fruit appear ; Lentiscus. 
 
 And three convenient times to farmers show 
 
 To break the fertile clod with crooked plough. 
 
 If at each time this tree with fruit abound, 
 
 Each time with stores will teem the fruitful ground. 
 
 And like prognostic yields the humble squill, Squill. 
 
 Thrice flowering yearly by the purple rill. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 The indications of plants as to the times for sheep shearing, Various 
 harvest, etc., will be found under the head of "Times and pl<* nts - 
 Seasons." 
 
 Datfous. 
 
 Bacon tried an experiment, and found that four ounces of [Wool.] 
 wool let down a well, yet not so as to touch the water, Damp ex- 
 increased to five ounces and one dram in weight during one permtent. 
 night (by the moisture). 
 [Note. — Vitruvius, the architect, mentions a similar experi- 
 ment made in a small pit, in order to see whether it 
 was a good place to sink further for water.] 
 
 A fleece of wool by lying long on the ground gains weight, Collecting 
 
 which could not be unless something pneumatic were con- f resh water 
 
 densed into something ponderable. In ancient times sailors 
 
 used to cover the sides of ships at night with fleeces of wool 
 
 like coverlets or curtains, but not so as to touch the water ; 
 
 and in the morning they would squeeze out of them fresh 
 
 water for use on the voyage. — Bacon. 
 
 When rheumatic people complain of more than ordinary pains Rkcumatisn 
 in the joints, it will rain. 
 
 As old sinners have all points 
 
 O' th' compass in their bones and joints — 
 
 Can by their pangs and aches find 
 
 All turns and changes of the wind, 
 
 And better than by Napier's bones * 
 
 Feel in their own the age of moons. — Butler. 
 
 Certain engraved slips invented by Napier to facilitate calculations. 
 
158 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Muscce 
 volitantes. 
 
 Stomach. 
 
 Scalp locks. 
 
 Dreams. 
 
 Corns, 
 
 wounds, and 
 sores. 
 Corns. 
 
 Ears. 
 
 Appetite. 
 
 Cream and 
 milk. 
 
 Supersti- 
 tions. 
 
 Chairs and 
 tables. 
 Doors, etc. 
 
 Floors. 
 
 Wooden 
 hygroscope. 
 
 The deceptive appearance of motes or small flies moving 
 before the eyes is said to presage rain and storms. 
 
 In persons of weak and irritable constitution the digestive 
 powers are much influenced by the weather. Before storms 
 such persons are uneasy. 
 
 When the locks of the Navajoes turn damp in the scalp-house, 
 surely it will rain. 
 
 Dreams of a hurrying and frightful nature, and imperfect 
 sleep, are frequent indications that the weather has changed, 
 or is about to change. Many persons experience these 
 nocturnal symptoms on a change of wind, particularly when 
 it becomes easterly. 
 
 If corns, wounds, and sores itch or ache more than usual, 
 rain is to fall shortly. 
 
 A coming storm your shooting corns presage, 
 And aches will throb, your hollow tooth will rage. 
 
 Broome. 
 Ringing in the ear at night indicates a change of wind. 
 
 A singing in the ears sometimes indicates a change of 
 
 weather, generally an increase of pressure or rise in the 
 
 barometer. 
 
 When everything at the table is eaten, it indicates continued 
 
 clear weather. 
 
 Cream and milk, when they turn sour in the night, often 
 
 indicate thereby that thunderstorms are about. 
 
 The presence of a dead body on ship or boat is supposed 
 to cause contrary winds. Eggs are credited with the same 
 power. So is whistling. — Folk-Lore Journal. 
 
 When chairs and tables creak and crack, it will rain. 
 
 Doors and windows are hard to shut in damp weather. 
 
 Oiled floors become very damp before rain. 
 
 Mr. Edgworth is mentioned as having made a wooden 
 automaton, consisting of a long slip of wood cut crosswise to 
 the grain, and furnished with two points at each end pointing 
 backwards, thus — 
 
 :i 
 
 The effect of this was that when the wooden figure expanded 
 with the dampness of the air, it pushed forward its head; 
 and when it shrank in drying, it dragged its tail ; so that it 
 continually went forward according to the dampness of the 
 season, and the distance passed gave a rough indication of 
 the comparative moisture of the air. — E. Darwin. 
 
Various. 159 
 
 Camphor gum dissolved in alcohol is said to throw out Camphor 
 feathery crystals and to rise before rain. gum. 
 
 If the matting on the floor is shrinking, dry weather may be Matting on 
 expected. When the matting expands, expect wet weather, floor. 
 
 The sailor notes the tightening of the cordage of his ship as Cordage. 
 a sign of coming rain. 
 
 Stringed instruments giving forth clear, ringing sounds indicate Stringed 
 fair weather. instruments. 
 
 Strings ot catgut 'or whipcord untwist and become longer Strings, etc. 
 during a dry state of the air, and vice versd. 
 
 On this principle is constructed the weather-house — a toy Weather 
 usually found in country houses, and from which the figure house-toy. 
 of a woman emerges in fine weather, while a man wrapped 
 in a great coat comes out before rain. 
 
 A lump of hemp acts as a good hygrometer. Hemp. 
 
 Ropes being difficult to untwist indicate bad weather. Ropes. 
 
 Before wind and rain, it is said that the black damp extin- Mines 
 guishing the lights is observed at the bottom of ironstone pits damp. 
 and through the " waste." — Sir A. Mitchell. 
 
 In Midlothian the miners think that approaching changes of Flow of 
 
 the weather are preceded by an increased flow of water and water '" 
 
 ftztttss 
 the issue of gases and foul air from the crevices ; and when 
 
 very bad weather is at hand, these last escape with a charac- 
 teristic sound like the buzz of insects. — Sir A. Mitchell. 
 
 Quarries of stone and slate indicate rain by a moist exudation Quarries, 
 from the stones. 
 
 A stone in Finland, called the " weather stone " (doubtless Damp 
 saturated with salt water), breaks out into dark spots at the si °nes. 
 approach of rain. Mr. A. Whittaker says the stone is a fossil 
 containing clay, rock-salt, and nitre. — English Mechanic. 
 
 When walls built of stones which have been quarried below Stones. 
 high-water mark become damp, wet weather is at hand. 
 
 If any one sits on a stone (one of the Stiper Stones) called the 
 Devil's Chair, a thunderstorm immediately arises. 
 
 Shropshire Superstition. 
 
 When walls are more than usually damp, rain is expected. Walls. 
 
 If stoves or iron rust during the night, it is a sign of rain. Iron. 
 
 Salt increases in weight before a shower. Salt. 
 
 A farmer's wife says, when her cheese salt is soft, it will rain ; 
 when getting dry, fair weather may be expected. 
 
i6o 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Salt. 
 
 Earth- 
 quakes. 
 
 Soap. 
 Dust. 
 
 Eddies. 
 Dust at sea. 
 
 Kites. 
 Smoke. 
 
 Tobacco 
 smoke. 
 
 Tobacco 
 pipes. 
 
 Spectroscope 
 
 Bladder. 
 Pavements. 
 
 There is a pillar of salt in the mines of Cracow which is 
 called " Lot's Wife," and which becomes damp at the approach 
 of rain. 
 
 Previous to earthquakes, the orb of the sun is of an unusua 
 colour — remarkably red, or tending to black. Bodies are seen 
 running in the heavens, accompanied with abundance of 
 flame, and the stars appear of a shape different from that 
 which they possessed before. 
 
 " Pausanias," Taylor's Translation, 1794. 
 
 Soap covered with moisture indicates bad weather. 
 
 Dust rising in dry weather is a sign of approaching change. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 If dust whirls round in eddies when being blown about by the 
 wind, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 A curious pheromenon has frequently been observed to 
 accompany northerly winds, which is : that in March or 
 April ships that are bound to Bombay or Surat frequsntly 
 have their rigging covered with white dust, although several 
 degrees distant from Canara or Concan. The northerly and 
 north-north-west winds, blowing from the coast of Persia, 
 over an extensive surface of sea (at least ten or twelve 
 degrees), it is difficult to judge what can occasion the dust, if 
 it is not generated in the atmosphere, which is in these 
 months sometimes impregnated with a dry haze. 
 
 J. HORSBURGH IN "NICHOLSON'S JOURNAL." 
 
 If kites fly high, fine weather is at hand. 
 
 Smoke falling to the ground indicates rain. 
 
 When the smoke of the Tharsis mine (Spain) blows north- 
 ward, it is a sign of rain. 
 
 If, during calm, smoke does not ascend readily, expect rain. 
 
 If the smoke of a morning pipe hangs a long while in the air 
 a good hunting day always follows. 
 
 When the odour of pipes is longer retained than usual, and 
 seems denser and more powerful, it often forebodes rain and 
 wind. 
 
 Moisture in the air is shown by a dark line in the spectrum 
 near the D lines, which latter are almost fused together when 
 the " rain-band " is very marked. 
 
 Pig's bladder, when stretched, fine ; when flaccid, wet. 
 
 If pavements appear rusty, rain will follow. 
 
Various. 161 
 
 Pliny asserts that vessels containing eatables sometimes leave Earthen 
 a sweat behind them in the storerooms, and that this is a sign ve ssels. 
 of fearful storms. — Bacon. 
 
 If metal plates and dishes sweat, it is a sign of bad weather. Plates. 
 
 Pliny. 
 
 When the sparks stick to the poker, it is a sign of rain. Sparks. 
 
 Spanish. 
 
 When the flames of candles flare and snap or burn with an Candles. 
 unsteady or dim light, rain and frequently wind also are found 
 to follow. 
 
 Excrescences forming about wicks of lamps and candles, which Lamp wicks. 
 consume their fuel slowly, indicate rain. 
 
 Coals, when they burn very bright, foretell wind, and likewise [Coals.] 
 when they quickly cast off and deposit their ashes. — Bacon. Bright. 
 
 If the burning coals stick to the bottom of the pot, it is a sign Adhering. 
 
 of a tempest.— Pliny. 
 
 Coals covered with thick white ashes indicate snow in winter, Ashy. 
 
 and rain in summer. 
 
 Coals becoming alternately bright and dim indicate approach- Flaming. 
 
 ing storms. i 
 
 Burning wood in winter pops more before snow. [Fires.] 
 
 Fires burning paler than usual and murmuring within are Flames. 
 significant of storms. If the flame shoot in a twisting and 
 curling form, it principally denotes wind ; but fungous growths 
 or excrescences on the wicks of lamps rather foreshadow rain. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 Fire is said to burn brighter and throw out more heat just Bright. 
 
 before a storm. 
 
 If the fire burns unusually fiercely and brightly in winter, Fierce. 
 
 there will be frost and clear weather ; if the fire burns dull, 
 
 expect damp and rain. 
 
 Blacksmiths select a stormy day in which to perform work In storm. 
 
 requiring extra heat. 
 
 Difficult 
 A fire hard to kindle indicates bad weather. to i^t. 
 
 When the fire crackles lightly, it is said to be treading snow. Crackling. 
 
 Old Woman. 
 
 An empty Florence oil flask inverted, with the open neck Bottle. 
 placed in a glass of water, is sometimes used as a barometer, 
 the level of the water in the neck being high for good weather, 
 and vice versd. 
 
l62 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Ashes. 
 
 Torches, etc. 
 
 [Soot.] 
 Burning. 
 
 Stagnant 
 water. 
 
 Springs. 
 
 But why abroad to seek prognostics go, 
 When ashes vile foretell the falling snow, 
 When half consumed the coals to cinders turn, 
 And with a sputtering flame the torches burn ? 
 And hail expect when the burnt cinders white 
 With glowing heat send round a glaring light. 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus." 
 
 When the dull fire emits no cheerful rays, 
 With lustre dimmed the languid torches blaze, 
 And the light cobwebs float along the air — 
 No symptoms these of weather calm and fair. 
 
 J. Lamb's " Aratus." 
 
 If soot falls down the chimney, rain will ensue. 
 
 Soot burning on the back of the chimney indicates storms. 
 When the soot sparkles on pots over the fire, rain follows. 
 
 If standing water be at any time warmer than it was com- 
 monly wont to be, and no sunshine help, it foretelleth rain. 
 
 Husbandman's Practice. 
 
 Springs running flusher (commonly called "earth sweat ") is 
 an indication of rain. 
 
 Creeks and In dry weather, when creeks and springs that have gone dry 
 
 springs. 
 
 Springs 
 rising. 
 
 Ditches, 
 drains, etc. 
 
 Coffee 
 bubbles. 
 
 Various 
 signs of bad 
 weather. 
 
 become moist, or, as we may say, begin to sweat, it indicates 
 approaching rain. Many springs that have gone dry will 
 give a good flow of water just before rain. 
 
 J. E. Walter (Kansas). 
 
 Springs rise against rain. 
 
 Drains, ditches, and dunghills are more offensive before 
 rain. 
 
 When the bubbles of coffee collect in the centre of the cup, 
 expect fair weather. When they adhere to the cup, forming 
 a ring, expect rain. If they separate without assuming any 
 fixed position, expect changeable weather. 
 
 The changing weather certain signs reveal ; 
 Ere winter sheds her snow or frosts congeal, 
 You'll see the coals in brighter flame aspire, 
 And sulphur tinge with blue the rising fire. 
 You'll hear the sounds 
 
 Of whistling winds ere kennels break their bounds ; 
 Ungrateful odours common shores diffuse, 
 And dropping vaults distil unwholesome dews, 
 Ere the tiles rattle with the smoking shower. 
 
Various. 
 
 163 
 
 Let credulous boys and prattling nurses tell 
 How, if the festival of Paul be clear, 
 Plenty with liberal horn shall strew the year ; 
 When the dark skies dissolve in snow or rain, 
 The labouring hind shall yoke the steer in vain ; 
 But if the threatening winds in tempests roar, 
 The war shall bathe her wasteful sword in gore. 
 
 Gay. 
 
 No weather fair expect, when Iris throws 
 Around the azure vault two painted bows ; 
 When a bright star in night's blue vault is found 
 Like a small sun by circling halo bound ; 
 When dip the swallows as the pool they skim, 
 And waterfowls their ruffled plumage trim ; 
 When loudly croak the tenants of the lake, 
 Unhappy victims of the hydra snake ; 
 When at the early dawn from murmuring throat 
 Lone Ololygo pours her dismal note ; 
 When the hoarse raven seeks the shallow waves — 
 Dips her black head — -her wings and body laves. 
 The ox looks up and snuffs the coming showers 
 Ere yet with pregnant clouds the welkin lowers ; 
 Dragging from vaulted cave their eggs to view, 
 Th' industrious ants their ceaseless toil pursue ; 
 While numerous insects creep along the wall, 
 And through the grass the slimy earth-worms crawl— 
 The black earth's entrails men these reptiles call. 
 Cackles the hen as sounds the dripping rill, 
 Combing her plumage with her crooked bill. 
 
 Various 
 signs of bad 
 weather. 
 
 Double 
 rainbow. 
 
 Halo. 
 
 Swallows. 
 
 Waterfowls. 
 
 Frogs. 
 
 Owl? 
 Raven. 
 
 Ox. 
 
 Ants. 
 
 Insects. 
 
 Worms. 
 
 Hen. 
 
 When flocks of rooks or daws in clouds arise, 
 Deafening the welkin with discordant cries ; 
 When from their throats a gurgling note they strain, 
 And imitate big drops of falling rain ; 
 When the tame duck her outstretched pinion shakes ; 
 When the shrill, screaming hern the ocean seeks, — 
 All these prognostics to the wise declare 
 Pregnant with rain, though now serene, the air. 
 
 Rooks, daws 
 
 Duck. 
 Hern. 
 
 No weather calm expect, when, floating high, 
 
 Cloud rides o'er cloud ; when clamorous cry Clouds. 
 
 The geese ; when through the night the raven caws, Gecsc, raven. 
 
 And chatter loud at eventide the daws ; Daws. 
 
 When sparrows ceaseless chirp at dawn of day, Sparrows. 
 
 And in their holes the wren and robin stay. Wren, robin. 
 
164 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Wild ducks. 
 
 Clouds on 
 
 mountains. 
 
 Thistle- 
 down, or 
 foam of that 
 appearance. 
 
 When from their briny couch the wild ducks soar, 
 And beat with clanging wings the echoing shore ; 
 When gathering clouds are rolled as drifting snow 
 In giant length along the mountain's brow ; 
 When the light down that crowns the thistle's head 
 On ocean's calm and glassy face is spread, 
 Extending far and wide, — the sailors hail 
 These signs prophetic of the rising gale. 
 
 Waves. 
 
 Sound of 
 
 waves. 
 
 Hern. 
 
 Sea-mews. 
 
 Cormorants. 
 
 When the long, hollow, rolling billows roar, 
 Breaking in froth upon the echoing shore ; 
 And through the rugged rock and craggy steep 
 Whispers a murmuring sound, not loud, but deep ; 
 When screaming to the land the lone hern flies, 
 And from the crag reiterates her cries ; 
 Breasting the wind in flocks the sea-mews sail, 
 And smooth their plumes against th' opposing gale ; 
 And diving cormorants their wings expand. 
 And tread — strange visitors — the solid land. 
 [Signs of bad weather.] 
 
 Crab. Before the storm the crab his briny home 
 
 Sidelong forsakes, and strives on land to roam ; 
 
 Mice. The busy household mice shake up with care 
 
 Their strawy beds, and for long sleep prepare. 
 
 Flies. When keen the flies, a plague to man and beast, 
 
 Seek with proboscis sharp their bloody feast ; 
 When in the wearisome, dark, wintry night 
 
 Torches. The flickering torches burn with sputtering light, 
 
 Now flaring far and wide, now sinking low, 
 While round their wicks the fungous tumours grow ; 
 
 Embers. When on the hearth the burning ember glows, 
 
 And numerous sparks around the charcoal throws, — 
 Mark well these signs, though trifling, not in vain, 
 Prognostics sure of the impending rain. 
 
 Lamps. 
 
 Owl. 
 
 Raven. 
 
 Rooks. 
 
 When burn the lamps with soft and steady light, 
 And the owl softly murmurs through the night ; 
 And e'en the raven from her varying throat 
 Utters at eve a soft and joyous note ; 
 When from all quarters in the twilight shade 
 The rooks, returning to th' accustomed glade, 
 Their lofty rocking dormitories crowd, 
 Clapping their gladsome wings and cawing loud. 
 [Fine weather signs ] 
 
 J. Lamb's "Aratus.' 
 
Various. 165 
 
 When the small birds prune the wing, Animal 
 
 Ducking in the limpid spring, prognostics 
 
 Languid 'neath the sheltering trees "' ?, 
 
 Oxen snuff the southern breeze, 
 
 Cackling geese with outstretched throat 
 
 Join the crow's discordant note, 
 
 Busy moles throw up the earth, 
 
 Crickets chirrup on the hearth, 
 
 Loudly caws the harsh-toned rook, 
 
 Spotted frogs respondent croak, 
 
 Gnats wheel round in airy ring, 
 
 Angry wasps and hornets sting, 
 
 Cautious bees forbear to roam, 
 
 Honey seeking near their home, 
 
 Spiders from their cobwebs fall, 
 
 Forth the shiny earth-worms crawl, 
 
 Loud, sonorous asses bray, 
 
 Frequent crows the bird of day, 
 
 Hens and chicks run helter-skelter — 
 
 These, though cloudless be the sky, 
 
 Tokens are that rain is nigh. 
 
 To him the wary Pilot thus replies : Various 
 
 A thousand omens threaten from the skies ; signs of bad 
 
 A thousand boding signs my soul affright, weather. 
 
 And warn me not to tempt the seas this night. 
 In clouds the setting sun obscured his head, 
 Nor painted o'er the ruddy west with red : 
 Now north, now south, he shot his parted beams, 
 And tipped the sullen black with golden gleams. 
 Pale shone his middle orb with faintish rays, 
 And suffered mortal eyes at ease to gaze. 
 Nor rose the silver queen of night serene ; 
 Supine and dull her blunted horns were seen, 
 With foggy stains and cloudy blots between. 
 Dreadful awhile she shone all fiery red, 
 Then sickened into pale, and hung her drooping head. 
 Nor less I fear from that hoarse, hollow roar 
 In leafy groves and on the sounding shore. 
 In various turns the doubtful dolphins play, 
 And thwart, and run across, and mix their way. 
 The cormorants the watery deeps forsake, 
 And soaring herns avoid the plashy lake ; 
 While waddling on the margin of the main, 
 The crow bewets her, and prevents * the rain. 
 [The Pilot is addressing Caesar, who wants to cross the 
 Adriatic Gulf to Brundusium.J 
 Lucan's " Pharsalia," V., Rowe's Translation. 
 
 * = Goes before (old English). 
 
i66 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 Winds. 
 
 Clouds, 
 
 barometer. 
 
 Soot. 
 
 Spiders. 
 
 Sunset. 
 
 Moon. 
 
 Rainbow. 
 Walls, 
 ditches. 
 Pimpernel, 
 Chairs. 
 Joints. 
 
 Ducks, pea- 
 cocks, hills. 
 
 Swine. 
 
 Flies. 
 
 Swallow. 
 
 Cricket. 
 
 Cat 
 
 Fishes. 
 
 Glow- 
 worms. 
 
 Toad. 
 Dust. 
 Frog. 
 
 Air. 
 
 Blackbird. 
 
 Dog. 
 
 Rooks. 
 
 The hollow winds begin to blow, 
 
 The clouds look black, the glass is low, 
 
 The soot falls down, the spaniels sleep, 
 And spiders from their cobwebs creep. 
 Last night the sun went pale to bed, 
 The moon in haloes hid her head, 
 The boding shepherd heaves a sigh, 
 For, see ! a rainbow spans the sky ; 
 
 The walls are damp, the ditches smell, 
 
 Closed is the pink-eyed pimpernel ; 
 Hark how the chairs and tables crack ! 
 Old Betty's joints are on the rack ; 
 Loud quack the ducks, the peacocks cry, 
 The distant hills are looking nigh ; 
 How restless are the snorting swine ! 
 The busy flies disturb the kine ; 
 Low o'er the grass the swallow wings ; 
 The cricket, too, how sharp he sings ! 
 Puss on the hearth, with velvet paws, 
 Sits wipinglo'er her whiskered jaws ; 
 Through the clear stream the fishes rise, 
 And nimbly catch the incautious flies ; 
 The glow-worms, numerous and bright, 
 Illumed the dewy dell last night ; 
 At dusk the squalid toad was seen 
 Hopping and crawling o'er the green ; 
 The whirling dust the wind obeys, 
 And in the rapid eddy plays ; 
 The frog has changed his yellow vest, 
 And in a russet coat is dressed; 
 Though June, the air is cold and still, 
 The merry blackbird's voice is shrill ; 
 My dog, so altered in his taste, 
 Quits mutton bones on grass to feast ; 
 And see yon rooks, how odd their flight ! 
 They imitate the gliding kite, 
 And seem precipitate to fall, 
 As if they felt the piercing ball. 
 'Twill surely rain, — I see with sorrow 
 Our jaunt must be put off to-morrow. 
 
 Dr. E. Darwin ; also attributed to Dr. Jenner. 
 
 [Wind.] 
 
 Sea. 
 
 Leaves. 
 
 For ere the rising winds begin to roar, 
 
 The working seas advance to wash the shore, 
 
 Soft whispers run along the leafy woods, 
 
Various. 
 
 167 
 
 And mountains whistle to the murmuring floods. Mountains. 
 
 Even then the doubtful billows scarce abstain Waves. 
 
 From the tossed vessel on the troubled main ; 
 
 When crying cormorants forsake the sea. Cormorants. 
 
 And, stretching to the covert, wing their way ; 
 
 When sportful coots run skimming o'er the strand ; Coots. 
 
 When watchful herons leave their watery stand, Herons. 
 
 And, mounting upward with erected flight, 
 
 Gain on the skies, and soar above the sight : 
 
 And oft, before tempestuous winds arise, 
 
 The seeming stars fall headlong from the skies, Meteors. 
 
 And, shooting through the darkness, gild the night 
 
 With sweeping glories and long trails of light ; 
 
 And chaff with eddy winds is whirled around, Chaff. 
 
 And dancing leaves are lifted from the ground ; Leaves. 
 
 And floating feathers on the waters play : Feathers. 
 
 But when the winged thunder takes his way Thunder. 
 
 From the cold north, and east and west engage, Winds. 
 
 And at their frontiers meet with equal rage, 
 
 The clouds are crushed ; a glut of gathered rain Clouds. 
 
 The hollow ditches fills, and floats the plain ; 
 
 And sailors furl their dropping sheets amain. 
 
 Wet weather seldom hurts the most unwise ; [Rain.] 
 
 So plain the signs, such prophets are the skies. 
 
 The wary crane foresees it first, and sails Crane. 
 
 Above the storm, and leaves the lowly vales ; 
 
 The cow looks up, and from afar can find Cow. 
 
 The change of heaven, and snuffs it in the wind ; 
 
 The swallow skims the river's watery face ; Swallow. 
 
 The frogs renew the croaks of their loquacious race ; Frogs. 
 
 The careful ant her secret cell forsakes, Ants. 
 
 And drags her eggs along the narrow tracks ; 
 
 At either bourn the rainbow drinks the flood ; Rainbow. 
 
 Huge flocks of rising rooks forsake their food, Rooks. 
 
 And, crying, seek the shelter of the wood. 
 
 Besides the several sorts of watery fowls Waterfowl. 
 
 That swim the seas or haunt the standing pools, 
 
 The swans that sail along the silvery flood, Swans. 
 
 And dive with stretching necks to search their food, 
 
 Then lave their backs with sprinkling dews in vain, 
 
 And stem the stream to meet the promised rain, 
 
 The crow with clam'rous cries the shower demands, Crow. 
 
 And single stalks along the desert sands. 
 
 The nightly virgin, while her wheel she plies, 
 
 Foresees the storm impending in the skies, 
 
 When sparkling lamps their splutt'ring light advance, Lamps. 
 
 And in the sockets oily bubbles dance. 
 
1 68 
 
 Weather Lore. 
 
 [Fine 
 Weather.] 
 
 Stars. 
 Moon. 
 Gossamer. 
 Kingfishers. 
 
 Swine. 
 
 Mist. 
 
 Owls. 
 
 Hawk and 
 lark. 
 
 Ravens. 
 
 Birds, cows, 
 and lambs. 
 
 Then after showers 'tis easy to descry 
 
 Returning suns and a serener sky. 
 
 The stars shine smarter ; and the moon adorns, 
 
 As with unborrowed beams, her sharpened horns ; 
 
 The filmy gossamer now flits no more, 
 
 Nor halcyons bask on the short sunny shore ; 
 
 Their litter is not tossed by sows unclean ; 
 
 But a blue droughty mist descends upon the plain ; 
 
 And owls that mark the setting sun declare 
 
 A starlight evening and a morning fair. 
 
 Tow'ring aloft, avenging Nisus flies, 
 
 While dared below the guilty Scylla lies. 
 
 Wherever frighted Scylla flies away, 
 
 Swift Nisus follows and pursues his prey ; 
 
 Where injured Nisus takes his airy course, 
 
 Thence trembling Scylla flies and shuns his force. 
 
 This punishment pursues the unhappy maid, 
 
 And thus the purple hair is dearly paid. 
 
 Then thrice the ravens rend the liquid air, 
 
 And croaking notes proclaim the settled fair. 
 
 Then round their airy palaces they fly 
 
 To greet the sun ; and seized with secret joy, 
 
 When storms are overblown, with food repair 
 
 To their forsaken nests and callow care. 
 
 Not that I think their breasts with heavenly souls 
 
 Inspired, as man who destiny controls ; 
 
 But with the changeful temper of the skies, 
 
 As rains condense and sunshine rarefies, 
 
 So turn the species in their altered minds : 
 
 Composed by calms and discomposed by winds. 
 
 From hence proceeds the birds' harmonious voice ; 
 
 From hence the cows exult, and frisking lambs rejoice. 
 
 Virgil's " Georgics," Dryden's Translation. 
 
 Various A boding silence reigns 
 
 signs of rain. Dread through the dim expanse; save the dull sound 
 
 That from the mountain, previous to the storm, 
 Rolls o'er the muttering earth, disturbs the flood, 
 And shakes the forest leaf without a breath. 
 Prone to the lowest vale aerial tribes 
 Descend ; the tempest-loving raven scarce 
 Dares wing the dubious dusk ; in rueful gaze 
 The cattle stand, and on the scowling heavens 
 Cast a deploring eye ; by man forsook, 
 Who to the crowded cottage hies him fast, 
 Or seeks the shelter of the downward cave. 
 
 Thomson. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
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 °roverbial Folk-Lore. Dorking. N.D. 
 
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Appendix. 173 
 
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 € 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ABERDEEN, 17 
 Abrus precatorius, 
 
 154 
 \corns, year of, 5 
 \dams, G., 87 
 \frican marigold, 156 
 \ilsa Craig, 99 
 Mr, 105, 166 
 
 clear, 105 
 
 currents, 74 
 
 mirage, 105 
 
 sound, 106 
 
 tremor, 125 
 
 undulating, 105 
 
 Mabama, 23 
 
 Ml Hallow'n summer, 36 
 
 Ml Saints', 36 
 
 rest, 36 
 
 \lmond tree, 152 
 \nimal prognostics, 165 
 Animals, 125-132 
 
 crowding, 126 
 
 seeking cover, 126 
 
 ^nt hills, 146 
 \nts, 146, 163, 167 
 
 active, 146 
 
 building, 146 
 
 in July, 146 
 
 migration, 146 
 
 returning, 146 
 
 travelling, 146 
 
 \pache Indians, 62, 67, 
 
 98, 145, 146, 153 
 Appetite, 158 
 \pples, oak, 152 
 \pril, 22-25 
 
 3rd, 6th, 14th, 24 
 
 15th, 23rd, 25 
 
 and autumn, 24 
 
 and March, 23 
 
 and May, 23, 24 
 
 and June, 24 
 
 buds, 23 
 
 change, 23 
 
 cloudy, 24 
 
 April, cold, 23 
 cuckoo, 24, 25 
 
 early part of, 24 
 
 first three days of, 
 
 24 
 flood, 22 
 
 ■ f°g, 23 
 
 frosty, 23 
 
 moon, 64 
 
 rain, 22, 24 
 
 snow, 23 
 
 thunder, 24 
 
 wet, 23 
 
 Aragon, 100 
 
 Aratus, 2, 50, 52, 53, 54, 
 55- 5°, 57, 6S, 66, 67, 
 86, 95, 96, 98, 117, 126, 
 128, 129, 130, 132, 139, 
 146, H7, 157, 162, 163, 
 164 
 
 Arbroath, 99 
 
 Arcturus, 65 
 
 Ardeche, 5 
 
 Ardersier, 99 
 
 Aristotle, 71, 72, 78, 80, 
 81, 82, 103, 105, 108, 
 110, 113, 114, 115 
 
 Arrival of birds, 46, 47 
 
 Ascension Day, 41 
 
 Aselli, 66 
 
 Ash, 151, 152 
 
 and oak, 151 
 
 mountain, 155 
 
 Ashes, 162 
 
 Aspen leaves, 153 
 
 Asses braying, 127 
 
 restless, 127 
 
 August, 32, 33 
 
 1st, 10th, 15th, 24th, 
 
 33 
 
 and December, 32 
 
 and February, 32 
 
 and September, 32 
 
 dew, 32 
 
 dry, 32 
 
 .174 
 
 August fog, 32, 103 
 
 sunshine, 32 
 
 • wet, 32 
 
 Aurora, 68 
 
 bright, 68 
 
 change, 68 
 
 storm, 68 
 
 Authors, 169-173 
 Autumn, 8 
 
 and winter, 8 
 
 cows in, 128 
 
 cranes, 139 
 
 fog, 8 
 
 fruits, S 
 
 moist, 8 
 
 night, 8 
 
 thunder, 8 
 
 ■ wet, 8 
 
 Ayers, J., 116 
 
 BACK, moon on her, 62 
 Backing wind, 71, 
 72 
 Bacon, Lord, 7, 8, 48, 
 
 49, 5°, 52, 54, 55, 56, 
 58, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 
 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 
 75, 77, 80, 82, 83, 84, 
 86, 88, 90, 94, 95, 96, 
 98, 99, 101, 105, 106, 
 107, ioS, 114, 115, 117, 
 118, 119, 130, 132,136, 
 
 137, 138, 141,147, 154, 
 
 157, 161 
 Bacon's experiment, 157 
 Bad weather signs, 2, 
 
 162, 163, 164 
 Badger, Candlemas, 16 
 Badgers in October, 36 
 Balancing of clouds, 85 
 Ballad, 63 
 Ballast, cod, 142 
 Ballot, B., 72 
 Bank of clouds, 52, 89 
 ■ sunset in a, 52 
 
Index. 
 
 175 
 
 Bar cirrus, 90 
 
 Beans, 154 
 
 Blackthorn winter, 22 
 
 Barley harvest, 76 
 
 May, 27 
 
 Bladder, 160 
 
 October, 35 
 
 planting, 1 54 
 
 Bladder-ketmir, 156 
 
 sowing, 152 
 
 Bear, Candlemas, 16 
 
 Blight, 75 
 
 Barometer, 120-125, J 66 
 
 Bearded frost, 114 
 
 Blossom, dogwood, 153 
 
 after gales, 121 
 
 Beaver, 130 
 
 elder, 153 
 
 and wind, 123 
 
 Bedfordshire, 2, 28, 64, 
 
 Blossoms, January, 10 
 
 change, 123 
 
 93. 1 10 
 
 Bodenham, 132 
 
 equal east and west, 
 
 Beech, 37 
 
 Borrowed days, 9, 21, 22 
 
 123 
 
 and oak, 152 
 
 Bottle used as barome- 
 
 — — - readings, 123 
 
 • nuts, 152 
 
 ter, 161 
 
 fall in fine weather, 
 
 Bees, 146 
 
 Bramble, 153 
 
 121 
 
 at home, 146 
 
 Branches, dead, 150 
 
 falling before wet, 
 
 early, 146 
 
 Brand, 127 
 
 122 
 
 February, 13 
 
 Breast-bone of goose, 134 
 
 in fair wea- 
 
 fine weather, 146 
 
 Bredon Hill, 101 
 
 ther, 121 
 
 flight, 146 
 
 Breeze, sunset, 51 
 
 quickly, 122 
 
 rain, 146 
 
 Bridge of the gods, III 
 
 without 
 
 returning, 146 
 
 Brighton, 105 
 
 change of weather, 122 
 
 swarm, 146 
 
 Broken clouds, 89 
 
 first rise, 123 
 
 Beetle, clock, 149 
 
 Broom, 155 
 
 frost, 122, 123 
 
 rain, 149 
 
 Broome, 127, 158 
 
 high and steady, 1 23 
 
 Beetles and crickets, 149 
 
 Browne, Sir T., 15 
 
 in east, 123 
 
 Bell Rock, 99 
 
 Brugh, 56 
 
 in north, 123 
 
 Bells, 105 
 
 Bubbles, 108 
 
 ■ in west, 123 
 
 and thunder, 120 
 
 coffee, 162 
 
 with warmer 
 
 Belville, 108, 1 20, 121 
 
 Buchanan, G., 20 
 
 weather, 122 
 
 Beneficial frost, 115 
 
 Buchanan's Almanack, 
 
 in Ireland, 125 
 
 Bergamo, no 
 
 75 
 
 indications, 121 
 
 Berries, 1 50 
 
 Buckwheat, 154 
 
 local storm, 122 
 
 Best, T., 87 
 
 Budding, oak and ash 
 
 long notice, T23 
 
 Bever, 100 
 
 151 
 
 low after rain, 121 
 
 Bible, 53, 74, 77, 79, 80, 
 
 Bugs, fall, 148 
 
 in fine wea- 
 
 81, 85, 86, 89, 98, 105, 
 
 Bullion's Day, 31 
 
 ther, 121 
 
 no 
 
 Bullocks, 129 
 
 oscillating, 122 
 
 Bibliography, 169-173 
 
 Bulls, leading, 128 
 
 ■ rapid fall, 123 
 
 Bin Hill, 101 
 
 licking, 128 
 
 rise after rain, 121 
 
 Birds, 132, 141, 168 
 
 Burgand, Marshal, 63 
 
 rising, 121 
 
 arriving, 1 32 
 
 Burmese custom, no 
 
 after heavy 
 
 Candlemas, 16 
 
 Burnet, 156 
 
 rains, 122 
 
 dates of arrival, 46, 
 
 Burning soot, 162 
 
 in wet wea- 
 
 47 
 
 Burton, 3 
 
 ther, 121 
 
 ■ departing, 132 
 
 Butler, 157 
 
 with dry wea- 
 
 flight, 132 
 
 Butter, cheap, 41 
 
 ther, 122 
 
 January, 10 
 
 Butterflies, 148, 149 
 
 with warmth, 
 
 October, 36 
 
 
 122, 123 
 
 restless, 132 
 
 pAIRNSMORE, 100 
 V^ Calendar, reforma- 
 
 rough weather, 161 
 
 returning, 132 
 
 snow, 122 
 
 silent, 132 
 
 tion of, vi, 4 
 
 steady after storm, 
 
 small, 132 
 
 Calendula pluvialis, 156 
 
 121 
 
 summer, 132 
 
 California, 114, 148 
 
 summary, 123 
 
 washing, 132 
 
 Calling of the sea, 106 
 
 summer, 122 
 
 Bishop, 100 
 
 Calm, 75, 107 
 
 table of indications, 
 
 Black cloud at sunset, 
 
 after cloudy wea- 
 
 124 
 
 53 
 
 ther, 85 
 
 west wind, 83 
 
 fish, 142 
 
 before gale, 84 
 
 wind, 121 
 
 frost, 1 14 
 
 dew, 103 
 
 winter, 122 
 
 insects, 149 
 
 ■ July, 30 
 
 Bass, 142 
 
 Blackberries, 35 
 
 June, 28 
 
 Bats, 131 
 
 Blackbird, 136, 166 
 
 Campbell, 55 
 
 numerous, 131 
 
 Christmas, 39 
 
 Camphor gum, 159 
 
176 
 
 Index. 
 
 ~ancer, 66 
 
 Dandlemas Day, 14-17 
 Handles, 161 
 Hape marigold, 156 
 
 Town, IOO 
 
 Wrath, 99 
 
 Capful of wind, 69 
 Dara, 101 
 Harle sky, 105 
 Carlisle sky, 105 
 Harmylie, IOT 
 Carolina, 83 
 Harry of clouds, 86 
 Hary's Pindar, 70 
 Hastellating clouds, 84 
 Hastile, IOO 
 Hat-fish, 142 
 
 ■ skin, 142 
 
 Hatgut, 159 
 Hat's skin, 127 
 Hats, 166 
 
 enraged, 126 
 
 February, 14 
 
 imprisoned, 126 
 
 movements, 126 
 
 pensive, 127 
 
 playful, 127 
 
 scratching, 127 
 
 sneezing, 126 
 
 washing, 126 
 
 wiping jaws, 127 
 
 battle lying down, 127 
 
 on hills, 128 
 
 Centre of cyclones, 73 
 :haff, 167 
 
 Hhairs, 158, 166 
 Chambers, G. F., 83, 123 
 
 R., 60, 100 
 
 Hhange, fog, 104 
 noon, 43 
 
 of moon, 63 
 
 Changes of temperature, 
 
 108 
 'hanging wind, 71, 7 2 
 Channel wind, 78 
 Chaucer, 43 
 Cherries, year of, 5 
 'heviot, 100 
 thickens, January, II 
 ;hickweed, 155 
 
 expanding, 155 
 
 half opening, 155 
 
 night, 155 
 
 )hildermas, 39 
 -hristison, 68 
 Christmas, 38 
 
 and Candlemas, 39 
 
 and Easter, 38 
 
 bright, 38 
 
 dark, 38 
 
 fat, 41 
 
 Christmas ice, 38, 39 
 
 light, 38 
 
 . moon, 3S 
 
 mud, 38 
 
 night, 38 
 
 rain, 39 
 
 snow, 38 
 
 sunshine, 38 
 
 thunder, 39 
 
 wet, 38 
 
 windy, 38 
 
 wine, 39 
 
 Chrysalides, 149 
 Churchill, 10, 30 
 Cicada, 149 
 Cirro-cumulus, 94, 95 
 Cirro-stratus, 92-94 
 
 with cirrus, 93 
 
 Cirrus clouds, 90-92 
 Clam, 142 
 
 Clarke, 58 
 
 Clerk himself, the, 124 
 Cleveland, 101 
 Cloud bank, 52 
 
 black at sunset, 53 
 
 rainbow, 112 
 
 ship, 92 
 
 Clouds, 84-101, 163, 166, 
 
 167 
 accumulating, 86 
 
 and sunshine, 48 
 
 against wind, 89 
 
 apparently station- 
 ary, 87 
 
 at full moon, 64 
 
 at old moon, 65 
 
 at sunrise, 48, 49, 
 
 53 
 
 balancing, 85 
 
 bank of, 89 
 
 banking up, 96 
 
 black, 88 
 
 brassy, 88 
 
 bright and dark, S8 
 
 broken, 89 
 
 castellating, 84 
 
 cirro-cumulus, 94, 
 
 95 
 
 crowded, 95 
 
 curdled, 94 
 
 dappled, 95 
 
 definition, 94 
 
 direction, 94 
 
 high, 95 
 
 outlines, 95 
 
 rain, 94 
 
 scattered, 94 
 
 slow, 95 
 
 small, 94 
 
 soft, 95 
 
 thunder, 94 
 
 Clouds, cirro-cumulus, 
 wandering, 94 
 
 ■ wind, 94 
 
 cirro-stratus, 92-94 
 
 definition, 92 
 
 direction, 93 
 
 gloomy, 93 
 
 hairy, 92 
 
 Noah's ark, 92 
 
 ■ opening, 94 
 
 ■ rain, 93 
 
 wane cloud, 93 
 
 waved, 94 
 
 wind, 92, 93 
 
 with cirrus, 93 
 
 cirrus, bad weather, 
 
 9 1 
 
 bar, 90 
 
 barred, 92 
 
 curdled, 90 
 
 curly, 91 
 
 definite, 91 
 
 definition, 90 
 
 detached, 91 
 
 feathery, 90 
 
 fibrous, 91 
 
 fine, 90 
 
 indicating 
 
 change, 90 
 
 indicating 
 
 wet, 91 
 
 murky, 90 
 
 pointing up- 
 ward, 92 
 
 rain, 90 
 
 rain and wind, 
 
 91 
 
 regular, 91 
 
 • ribbed, 90 
 
 sheet, rain, 90 
 
 showery, 90 
 
 storms, 92 
 
 streaky, 92 
 
 tails down- 
 ward, 91 
 
 tufty, 90, 91 
 
 twisted, 91 
 
 undulating, 91 
 
 weather-head, 
 
 92 
 
 wind, 90 
 
 • collecting and 
 
 driving, 86 
 
 colours of, 88 
 
 ■ cross wind, 88 
 
 ■ cumulo-stratus, 97, 
 
 98 
 
 ■ collecting, 97 
 
 on horizon, 97 
 
 streak, 97 
 
 striped, 98 
 
Index. 
 
 177 
 
 Clouds, cumulo-stratus, 
 
 Clouds, scud, 88 
 
 Comets, 67 
 
 tails, etc., 67 
 
 snow, 116 
 
 Confucius, 60 
 
 cumulus, 95-97 
 
 spreading and drift- 
 
 Conjunctions of planets, 
 
 augmenting, 96 
 
 ing, 85 
 
 67 
 
 changing, 97 
 
 storm, 86, 89 
 
 Continued south wind, 
 
 dark, 96 
 
 stratus, 98-101 
 
 81 
 
 definition, 95 
 
 ascending, 99 
 
 Convolvulus, 155 
 
 d i m i n ishing, 
 
 definition, 98 
 
 Coots, 167 
 
 96 
 
 fair, 98 
 
 Cordage, 159 
 
 ■ fair, 96 
 
 fine, 98 
 
 Cormorants, 164, 167 
 
 — — ■ ■ fleecy, 95 
 
 hanging, 99 
 
 Corn and cattle, year of, 
 
 hail, snow, etc. , 
 
 mountains, 98- 
 
 5 
 
 67 
 
 101 
 
 • and hay, 153 
 
 opening and 
 
 night, 98 
 
 fodder, 153 
 
 closing, 96 
 
 rising and fall- 
 
 husk, 153 
 
 piled, 95 
 
 ing, 99 
 
 Corns, 158 
 
 round topped, 
 
 small, 99 
 
 Cornwall, I, 13, 29, 43, 
 
 96 
 
 thick, 99 
 
 58, 78, 80, 81, 105, 
 
 storm, 97 
 
 tempest, 86 
 
 I06, 112 
 
 stormy, 95 
 
 wind, 73 
 
 Corposant, St. Elmo's 
 
 thunder, 97 
 
 ■ winds and waves. 
 
 fire, 68 
 
 tower-like, 96 
 
 69 
 
 Corpse, 158 
 
 wet, calm, 96 
 
 with and against 
 
 Corpus Christi, 41 
 
 white, 96 
 
 the wind, 85 
 
 Corsancone, IOO 
 
 ■ wind, 96 
 
 with mock suns, 86 
 
 Cottonwood, 152 
 
 dark, 85, 87 
 
 Cloudy April, 24 
 
 Cows, 128, 167, 168 
 
 ■ ■ dawn, 85 
 
 weather, 85 
 
 in autumn, 128 
 
 ■ description, 89 
 
 Clover, 155 
 
 ■ . lying down, 128 
 
 dispersing, 85 
 
 ■ rough, 155 
 
 • • various signs from, 
 
 diverging, 87 
 
 Coals, 161 
 
 128 
 
 dragonish, 89 
 
 adhering, 161 
 
 year of, 5 
 
 dull, 88 
 
 ashes, 161 
 
 Cowslip, 156 
 
 evening, 86 
 
 • bright, 161 
 
 Crab, 164 
 
 fishers, 99 
 
 flaming, 161 
 
 Craighill, 101 
 
 — — ■ form, 84 
 
 Cock crowing, 133 
 
 Craigowl, 100 
 
 ■ from east, 87 
 
 drinking, 133 
 
 Cranes, 139, 1 40, 167 
 
 from north-west, 87 
 
 moulting, 133 
 
 alighting, 139 
 
 from south, 87 
 
 Cockchafers, year of, 5 
 
 ■ autumn, 139 
 
 from south-west, 87 
 
 Cockle burs, 153 
 
 • crying, 139 
 
 ■ from west, 86 
 
 Cockles, 142 
 
 ■ ■ flight, 139 
 
 globe-like, 48 
 
 Cod, 142 
 
 noisy, 140 
 
 growth of, 85 
 
 Coffee bubbles, 162 
 
 winter, 139 
 
 gusts, 88 
 
 Cold April, 23 
 
 Cream, 158 
 
 high, 85, 87 
 
 December, 38 
 
 north wind, 78 
 
 in layers, 87, 88 
 
 May, 26 
 
 Creeks, 162 
 
 increasing, 86, 89 
 
 November, 36 
 
 Crickets, 149, 166 
 
 isolated, 85 
 
 — September, 34 
 
 Criffel, 100, 101 
 
 low, 86, 87 
 
 spring, 6 
 
 Cross winds, 88 
 
 mackerel sky, 94 
 
 three days, 43 
 
 Crowfoot, 156 
 
 mares' tails, 94 
 
 Coles, 154 
 
 Crows, 136, 167 
 
 massive, 98 
 
 Collecting and driving 
 
 Cuckoo, 6, 20, 136 
 
 morning, 86 
 
 clouds, 86 
 
 and figs, 136 
 
 motions of, 87 
 
 Collie Law, 100 
 
 and marigold, 156 
 
 mountains, 164 
 
 Colour, frogs', 145 
 
 April, 24, 25 
 
 nimbus, definition, 
 
 Colours, lightning, 119 
 
 early, 136 
 
 s 8 
 
 rain, 98 
 
 of clouds, 48, 88 
 
 late, 136 
 
 of rainbow, 113 
 
 midsummer, 136 
 
 rain, 89 
 
 of sky, 105 
 
 rain, 136 
 
 red, 55, 58 
 
 of sunset, 50, 54 
 
 Cullcn, IOI 
 
 rising, 87 
 
 primary, 113 
 
 Cumberland, IOO 
 
 round-topped, 96 
 
 Come-back, 134 
 
 Cumbrae, 99 
 
[ 7 8 
 
 Index. 
 
 Cumulo-stratus, 97, gS 
 Cumulus, 95-97 
 Curdled cirrus, 90 
 Curlew, 141 
 Curly cirrus, 91 
 Currents of air, 74. 7& 
 
 of wind, 79 
 
 various, 75 
 
 Custom, Burmese, no 
 Cuttle-fish, 142 
 Cycle of change, 44 
 Cyclones, 72 
 
 movement of, 73 
 
 Cyclonic storms, 73 
 
 DAFFODILS, 154 
 Dalton, 108, 115, 
 
 123 
 Damp, fog, 103 
 
 heat, 108 
 
 in mines, 159 
 
 stones, 159 
 
 wool, 157 
 
 Dandelion, 134 
 
 blooming, 154 
 
 closing, 154 
 
 down, 154 
 
 Daniels, J. F., 70, 87 
 Dante, 141 
 Dappled sky, 95 
 Darwin, E., 75, 143, 154, 
 
 158, 166 
 Dates of birds' arrival, 
 
 46, 47 
 
 of plants flower- 
 ing, 44, 45, '5° 
 
 Davy, Sir H., ill 
 Dawn clouds, 85 
 
 high and low, 49 
 
 Daws, 163 
 Day, 43 
 
 and night winds, 69 
 
 fine, 43 
 
 misty, 43 
 
 moon seen in, 60 
 
 Days and nights, 43 
 De Quincey, 103 
 Dead branches, 150 
 December, 38, 39 
 nth, 21st, 25th, 3S 
 
 25th, 26th, 28th, 
 
 3'st, 39 
 
 and January, 38 
 
 cold, 38 
 
 first Sunday in, 38 
 
 thunder, 38 
 
 Denham, 77, 78 
 Denmark, 4 
 
 Derbyshire, 34, 128, 130 
 Devil's Chair, 159 
 Devon, 42, 83, no, 136 
 
 Dew, 102, 103 
 
 abundant, 102, 103 
 
 and fog, 103 
 
 and rain, 103, 110 
 
 August, 32 
 
 calm, 103 
 
 dispersing, 103 
 
 evening, 102, 103 
 
 fine weather, 103 
 
 heavy, 103 
 
 March, 19 
 
 ■ ■ May, 26 
 
 ■ mountain, 103 
 
 night, 103 
 
 none, 103 
 
 profuse, 1-03 
 
 south, 103 
 
 Digges, 118 
 
 Direction of cyclone 
 
 centre, 73 
 Dirt-owl, 138 
 Dispersing clouds, 85 
 Distant lightning, 118 
 
 thunder, 1 18 
 
 Ditches, 162, 166 
 Dog days, 31 
 
 roses, 153 
 
 Dogs, 166 
 
 ■ eating grass, 126 
 
 howling, 126 
 
 ■ • rolling, 126 
 
 sleeping, 126 
 
 stretched out, 126 
 
 uneasy, 126 
 
 Dogwood blossom, 153 
 Dolphins, 141, 142 
 Doomsday Book, 31 
 Doors, etc., 158 
 Dorset, 59 
 Dotterel, 140 
 Double rainbow, 113 
 Dove, 71, 72, 74 
 Drains, 162 
 
 Drawing water, sun, 48 
 Drayton, I, 69, 99, 135 
 Dreams, 158 
 Driving clouds, S6 
 Drizzle, no 
 Drought and rain, III 
 
 Texas, 74 
 
 Dry August, 32 
 
 May, 26 
 
 September, 33 
 
 winter, 8 
 
 Duck, 163 
 
 Ducks, 133, 166 
 
 and geese uneasy, 
 
 133 
 
 driving, 1 33 
 
 wild, 164 
 
 Dunion, 100 
 
 Dunwoody, Major, 60, 
 117, 119, 126, 128, 130, 
 138, 144 
 
 Dust, 160, 166 
 
 at sea, 160 
 
 March, iS 
 
 Dutch, 5, 10, 18, ill 
 
 Dutchman, 104 
 
 Dysart, 106 
 
 EAGLESHAM, 99 
 Early and late 
 thunder, 117 
 
 frosts, 114 
 
 winter, 9 
 
 Ears, 158 
 
 Earthen vessels, 161 
 Earthquakes, 160 
 Earth-worms, 144 
 East Anglia, 138 
 
 rain, 109 
 
 wind, 79, 80 
 
 Easter, 38 
 
 and Christmas, 38 
 
 and Whitsunday, 
 
 41 
 
 snow, 38 
 
 to Whitsuntide, 41 
 
 Echinus, 143 
 
 Eclipse, 55 
 
 Eddies, 160 
 
 Edgworth, hygroscope, 
 
 158 
 Edmonds, R., 106 
 Eels, 142 
 Eggs, 158 
 Egyptian day, 12 
 Elder blossom, 153 
 
 bush, 153 
 
 Ellesmere, 62 
 Elm leaves, 152 
 and kidney 
 
 beans, 152 
 Elmo, St., fires, 68 
 Embers, 164 
 Empson, C. W., 31, 
 
 131 
 
 English climate, I 
 Eostre, 41 
 Epiphany, 39 
 Equinoctial storms, 40 
 Equinox, vernal, 40 
 Equinoxes, 40 
 Eure et Loire, 5 
 Euripides, 73 
 Euroclydon, 80 
 Evening, 43 
 and morning sky, 
 
 S3 
 
 clouds, 86 
 
 dew, 103 
 
Index. 
 
 179 
 
 Evening rainbow, 112 
 
 thunder, 118 
 
 Experiment, Bacon's, 157 
 
 FAIR June, 28 
 ofAuldDeer,I7 
 
 Falkland Hill, 100 
 
 Fall-bugs, 148 
 
 Falling stars, 67 
 
 Feathers, 167 
 
 Feathery cirrus, 90 
 
 February, 13-18 
 
 2nd, 15, 16, 17, 
 
 2nd, 6th, loth to 
 
 2Sth, I2th to 14th, 
 12th, 14th, 20th to 
 2Sth, 22nd, 24th, 17 
 
 28th, 18 
 
 and March, 14 
 
 cold, 13 
 
 fair, 13 
 
 fine, 13 
 
 fogs, 14 
 
 mad, 13 
 
 March, April, and 
 
 May, 14 
 
 ■ rain, 13 
 
 snow, 14 
 
 spring, 13 
 
 thunder, 14 
 
 two-faced, 13 
 
 ■ wet, 14 
 
 ■ winds, 14 
 
 Fern, 155 
 
 Figs and cuckoo, 136 
 
 year of, 5 
 
 Finches, 139 
 
 Fine weather signs, 168 
 
 Finland, 8 
 
 Fireflies, 149 
 
 Fires, 161 
 
 bright, 161 
 
 crackling, 161 
 
 ■ • fierce, 161 
 
 hard to kindle, 161 
 
 smith's, 161 
 
 First north wind, 78 
 
 thunder, 117 
 
 Fish feeding, 141 
 
 molluscs, etc., 141- 
 
 144 
 
 rising, 141 
 
 shaped cloud, 93 
 
 Fishers, clouds, 99 
 
 south wind, 82 
 
 wind, 80 
 
 Fishes, 166 
 
 Fitzroy, 48, 49, 5r, 68, 
 70, 7i, 72, 73, 74, 78, 
 82, 85, 87, 88, 89, 99, 
 103, 105, 107, in, 123 
 
 Flakes, snow, 116 
 Flames, 16 1 
 Fleas, 148 
 Fleming, A., 15, 52 
 Flies, 164, 1 66 
 
 clinging, 148 
 
 harvest, 148 
 
 house, 148 
 
 March, 18 
 
 seasons, 148 
 
 stinging, 148 
 
 Flight, bees, 146 
 cranes, 139 
 
 ducks and geese, 
 
 133, 134 
 
 herons, 139 
 
 • of larks, 139 
 
 sea-birds, 140 
 
 swallows, 138 
 
 turkeys, 134 
 
 Flood, April, 22 
 ■ river, 107 
 
 St. Margaret's, 33 
 
 Floods, winter, 9 
 
 Floors, 158 
 
 Flowering, dates of, 150 
 
 of plants, 44, 45 
 
 Flowers, 150 
 
 early, 1 50 
 
 in January, 10 
 
 May, 25 
 
 November, ^6 
 
 opening, 156 
 
 time of opening, 
 
 46 
 Fly on nose, 148 
 Foam, 107, 108. 164 
 
 river, 108 
 
 Fodder, September, 34 
 Fog, 103, 104 
 
 and dew, 103 
 
 and frost, 103, 114 
 
 April, 23 
 
 August, 32, 103 
 
 autumn, 8 
 
 change, 104 
 
 damp, 103 
 
 falling, 103 
 
 ■ hanging, 104 
 
 Harmattan, 75 
 
 hunting, 104 
 
 January, 10 
 
 light, 103 
 
 March, 19 
 
 October, 35 
 
 sea, 104 
 
 sea and hills, 104 
 
 summer, 8 
 
 winter, 9, 104 
 
 Foggy south wind, 81 
 Fogs, February, 14 
 
 Folk-Lore Journal, 32, 
 108, no, 126, 129, 132, 
 156, 158 
 Fops, 99 
 
 Forked lightning, 118 
 Formation of frost, 114 
 Forms of clouds, 84 
 Forster, T., 34, 47, 89, 92, 
 
 93, 96. 
 Fortingal, 106 
 Foul air, 108 
 Fowls, 132, 133 
 
 restless, 133 
 
 rolling, 133 
 
 shelter, 133 
 
 French, I, 2, 4, 5, II, 12, 
 
 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 
 
 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 
 27, 28, 29, 32, 35, 37, 
 
 4°, 42, 50, 53, 58, 63, 
 
 67, 71, 95, !°9, 1 10, 
 
 114 
 names for months, 
 
 satire on, 6 
 Friday, 42 
 
 and Sunday, 42, 43 
 
 weather, 43 
 
 Frogs, 145, 163, 166, 167 
 
 colour, 145 
 
 croaking, 145 
 
 green, 145 
 
 noisy, 145 
 
 spawning, 145 
 
 tree, 145 
 
 • yellow, 145 
 
 Frost, 58, 81, 114, 115 
 
 and fog, 114 
 
 and hailstorm, 115 
 
 and mists, 101, 1 14, 
 
 "5 
 
 and rain, 114 
 
 and thaw, 114 
 
 April, 23 
 
 at new moon, 60 
 
 barometer, 123 
 
 ■ bearded, 114 
 
 beneficial, 1 15 
 
 black, 114 
 
 ■ breaking, 115 
 
 duration, 114 
 
 early, 114 
 
 formation of, 1 14 
 
 foul, 1 14 
 
 heavy, 114 
 
 late, 114 
 
 light, 114 
 
 ■ long, 115 
 
 March, 19 
 
 ■ martins, 138 
 
 January, 1 1 
 
 October, 35 
 
[8o 
 
 Index. 
 
 r rost, stars, 1 1 5 
 
 Greenock, 28 
 
 Hay and snow, 115 
 
 storm, 114 
 
 Gregor, W., 106, 107 
 
 June, 29 
 
 white, 114 
 
 Grey and red sunrise, 54 
 
 May, 27 
 
 winter, 9 
 
 sunrise, 48 
 
 year of, 5 
 
 Miller, T., I, 14, 18, 24, 
 
 Ground-hog, Candlemas, 
 
 Haywood, 24 
 
 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 43, 
 
 16 
 
 Haze clearing, 102 
 
 68, 85, no, 153 
 
 Grouse, 135 
 
 fair, 102 
 
 fuller's thistle, 156 
 
 Growth of clouds, 85 
 
 sudden, 102 
 
 fulmar, 140 
 
 Grumphie, 130 
 
 Hazel, 13 
 
 Tull moon, colours and 
 
 Guara, 100 
 
 Health and snowy 
 
 haloes, 64 
 
 Guinea-fowl, 134 
 
 weather, 1 16 
 
 
 rain, 134 
 
 and weather, 2, 3 
 
 O ALE from south-west, 
 
 Lr 83 
 
 Gulls, 140 
 
 Heat and thunder, 117 
 
 arrival, 140 
 
 wind, 75 
 
 moon, 59 
 
 noisy, 140 
 
 Hedge fruit, 155 
 
 jail, oak, 151 
 
 numerous, 140 
 
 Hedgehogs, 131, 132 
 
 jalloway, 112, 130 
 
 on land, 140 
 
 burrows, 132 
 
 garden spiders, 148 
 
 sitting, 140 
 
 hiding, 132 
 
 jay, 128, 138, 163 
 
 Gusts, 69 
 
 Hedge-sparrows, 139 
 
 Seese, 133, 163 
 
 Gutch, J. W. G., 134, 
 
 Heifer's tail, 1 28 
 
 flying inland, 133 
 
 135, H2, 147 
 
 Helm cloud, IOI 
 
 seaward, 133 
 
 
 Hemp, 159 
 
 south, 133, 
 
 TJABBERLEY wind, 
 
 n 70 
 
 Hen, 163 
 
 134 
 
 Herbert, G., 18, 49 
 
 passing lakes, 134 
 
 Haddingtonshire, 100 
 
 Hern, 163, 164 
 
 generals January and 
 
 Hail, 97, 115 
 
 Herons, 139, 163, 164, 
 
 February, II 
 
 and rain, 109, III 
 
 167 
 
 gentian, 156 
 
 formation, 115 
 
 restless, 139 
 
 German, 16, 18, 19, 28, 
 
 winter, 115 
 
 Hertfordshire, 41 
 
 29, 32, 33. 38, 43, 92, 
 
 Hailstorm and frost, 115 
 
 Hesiod, 85, 139 
 
 109, 176 
 
 Halcyon days, 37 
 
 High dawn, 49 
 
 jigha, IOI 
 
 Half-moon, 57 
 
 Highlandman, 104 
 
 jlobe-like clouds, 48 
 
 Hall Down, IOI 
 
 Hildebrandsson, 93 
 
 jloucester, 152 
 
 Halo, 163 
 
 Hills, 166 
 
 jlow-worms, 144, 166 
 
 double, 56 
 
 stratus, 98-101 
 
 damp, 144 
 
 lunar, 56, 57, 64 
 
 Hoar-frost, 114 
 
 rain and dry, 144 
 
 near and far, 56 
 
 not lasting, 1 14 
 
 Snats, 149 
 
 single lunar, 56 
 
 vines, 114 
 
 biting, 149 
 
 open side of, 57 
 
 Hodnet Hole, 69 
 
 evening, 149 
 
 solar, 55 
 
 Hoggs in February, 13 
 
 March, 18 
 
 triple, 56 
 
 Hollantide, 37 
 
 January, 10 
 
 unbroken, 56 
 
 Holy Cross Day, 34 
 
 numerous, 149 
 
 Hampshire, 99, 151 
 
 Holy Thursday, 41 
 
 October, 149 
 
 Hannay, G. W. D., 146 
 
 Holyrood, 34 
 
 sporting, 149 
 
 Hanneman, 156 
 
 Homer, 81 
 
 swarming, 149 
 
 Hares, 131 
 
 Hone, 45 
 
 boat's hair cloud, 92 
 
 Harmattan fog, 75 
 
 Hood, T., 36 
 
 joats, 129 
 
 Harrowing, snow, 115 
 
 Hops, 38 
 
 and sheep, 129 
 
 Harvest, 4, 38 
 
 Hornets, 146, 147 
 
 joose breast-bone, 1 34 
 
 flies, 148 
 
 Horns of moon, 57i 61 
 
 gooseberries, year of, 5 
 
 June, 29 
 
 Horsburgh, J., 160 
 
 5ose harvest, 31 
 
 light, 41 
 
 Horses, lively, 127 
 
 jossamer, 148, 168 
 
 long and short, 8 
 
 restless, 127 
 
 drafting, wind south, J$ 
 
 sacrifice for, 41 
 
 rolling, 127 
 
 jrassin January, 10 
 
 Haute Loire, 4, 58 
 
 ■ sniffing, 127 
 
 year of, 5 
 
 Hawk and lark, 168 
 
 sweating, 127 
 
 Greece, II, 18, III, 1 13, 
 
 Hawks, 140 
 
 Hours, 7 and n, 44 
 
 119, 126, 136 
 
 Haws, year of, 5 
 
 10 and 2, 44 
 
 3reen Christmas, 38 
 
 Hawthorn, 153 
 
 12 and 2, 44 
 
 frog, 145 
 
 Hay, I, 153 
 
 House flies numerous, 
 
 winter, 8 
 
 and buckwheat, 154 
 
 148 
 
Index. 
 
 181 
 
 Howard, 85, 86, 88, go, 
 
 91, 92, 94, 97, 98 
 Howell, 35 
 Huddling, stars, 65 
 Hunter, W. W., I 
 Hunting fog, 104 
 Huntingdon, 37, 41 
 Hurricane, 57 
 Hurricanes in West 
 
 Indies, 73 
 Hurstpierpoint, 99 
 HusbandmaWs Practice, 
 
 IlS, 127, 128, 132, 133, 
 
 135, 149, 162 
 Hyades, 65 
 Hygrometer indications, 
 
 125 
 
 ICE, Christmas, 30, 39 
 cracking, 116 
 
 Iceland, 4 
 
 Ilex, 157 
 
 Increasing, clouds, 86 
 
 Indian weather pro- 
 phesy, I 
 
 summer, 8 
 
 Indications of barometer, 
 124 
 
 of clouds, 85 
 
 Indigo, wild, 153 
 
 Innocents' Day, 39 
 
 Insects, 146-149, 163 
 
 black, 149 
 
 early, 146 
 
 Ireland, 5, 35, 39, 148 
 
 Iron rust, 159 
 
 Isle of Wight, 105 
 
 Italian, 8, 9, 12, 25, 32, 
 53. 56, "1,133 
 
 JACKDAWS, 137 
 Jackson, Georgina, 
 69, 70, 136 
 January, 10-13 
 
 1st, 11 
 
 1st, 2nd, 3rd, II 
 
 2nd, 12 
 
 3rd, 12 
 
 6th, 12 
 
 I2th, 12 
 
 14th, 12 
 
 19th to 31st, 13 
 
 22nd, 12 
 
 22nd and 25th, 12 
 
 25th, 12 
 
 3ist, 13 
 
 and February, 1 1 
 
 and following 
 
 months, II 
 
 and March, 1 1 
 
 and May, 1 1 
 
 January, birds, 10 
 
 blossoms, 10 
 
 bright, 10 
 
 chickens, 1 1 
 
 ■ cold, II 
 
 dry, 10 
 
 flowers, 10 
 
 fog, 10 
 
 frost, 1 1 
 
 gnats, 10 
 
 grass, 10 
 
 Greek proverb, 1 1 
 
 March and April, 
 
 11 
 
 mild, 10 
 
 snow, II, 
 
 sowing, 1 1 
 
 spring, 10 
 
 thaw, 10 
 
 thunder, 1 1 
 
 timber, II 
 
 warm, 10, II 
 
 wet, 10 
 
 Jenner, Dr., 166 
 Jenyns, 52, 75, 86, 90, 95, 
 
 96, 97, 98, I02, IO4, 120, 
 121, 123 
 
 Johnson, Dr. S., 3, no 
 Joints, 166 
 
 Jones, Rev. W., 102, 104 
 July, 30-32 
 
 1st, 2nd, 30 
 
 3rd, 4th, IOth, I2th, 
 
 14th, 15th, 31 
 
 3rd to August nth 
 
 (dog days), 31 
 
 15th, 19th, 20th, 
 
 25th, 32 
 
 and August, 30 
 
 and January, 30 
 
 August, and Sep- 
 tember, 30 
 
 calm, 30 
 
 oysters, 30 
 
 rain, 30 
 
 rye, 30 
 
 sky, 30 
 
 thunder, 30 
 
 June, 28-30 
 
 8th, nth, 15th, 
 
 24th, 29 
 
 27th, 29th, 30 
 
 and February, 29 
 
 and harvest, 29 
 
 and September, 29 
 
 calm, 28 
 
 fair, 28 
 
 hay, 29 • 
 
 north wind, 29 
 
 wet, 29 
 
 Jura, 101 
 
 KELLIE Law, 100 
 Kent, 5, 35, 118 
 Kenton, 101 
 Keys of year, 39 
 Kidney beans, sowing, 
 
 152 
 Kilpatrick Hills, 99 
 Kingfishers, 140, 168 
 Kintyre, 108 
 Kirkcudbright, 99 
 Kirkpatrick Fleming, 100 
 Kirwan, Dr., 21, 
 Kites, 160 
 Knipe, 100 
 
 LADY Day, 21 
 Latter, 24 
 
 Lambs, 168 
 Lammas, 33 
 Lamp wicks, 161 
 Lamps, 164, 167 
 Lancashire, 65, 101 
 Largo Law, 100 
 Lark, 139 
 
 and hawk, 168 
 
 Candlemas, 16 
 
 Larrigan river, 106 
 Larva of Cicada, 149 
 Last snow, 1 16 
 Late frosts, 114 
 
 spring, 6 
 
 Latter Lady Day, 24 
 Lavrock, Candlemas, 16 
 Layers of clouds, 87, 88 
 Leap year, 5 
 Leaves, 37, 150, 153, 166, 
 167 
 
 aspen, 153 
 
 curling, 150 
 
 fall of, in October, 
 
 35 
 
 falling, 150 
 
 flying, 150 
 
 rattling, 1 50 
 
 — - remaining, 150 
 
 turning up, 150 
 
 Leeches, 143 
 
 agitated, 143 
 
 coiled, 143 
 
 ■ curled up, 143 
 
 in bottle, 143, 144 
 
 fixed, 143 
 
 restless, 143 
 
 stationary, 143 
 
 tempest prognos- 
 
 ticator, 143 
 
 Leicestershire, 100 
 Lcntiscus, 157 
 Leo, sun in, 30 
 Levels, temperature at 
 different, 125 
 
I»2 
 
 Index. 
 
 Lightning colours, 119 
 
 direction, 119 
 
 'disappearing, 118 
 
 distant, 1 18 
 
 forked, 118 
 
 in spring, 7 
 
 night and morning, 
 
 118 
 
 north, 119 
 
 north-west, 119 
 
 sheet, 118 
 
 south, 1 19 
 
 south-east, 1 18 
 
 summer, ilS 
 
 ^innseus, 1 54, 1 56 
 Lizard Point, 105 
 Loach, 142 
 .ochnaw, IOI 
 Locusts, 79» *49 
 .omond range, 100 
 -ong frost, 115 
 
 harvest, 8 
 
 ^ongfellow, 57 
 .ookout, 101 
 ^othian, IOO 
 
 .owe, E. J., 103, 104, 
 
 132 
 .ucan, 165 
 -ucian, 137 
 -ucretius, 85, 119 
 -unar halo, 56 
 -uther, 25 
 
 MACAWS, 135 
 Macher's Rills, IOO 
 Mackerel sky, 94 
 badness, "weather, 3 
 Magpies, 137 
 ilaine, U.S., 42 
 tlalta, 65 
 
 danure, October, 36 
 daple, silver, 152 
 ilarch, 1 8-22 
 1st, 2nd, 20 
 
 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 
 
 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 
 25th, 21 
 
 and April, 20 
 
 and May, 20 
 
 and June, 20 
 
 and other months, 
 
 20 
 
 April, and May, 20 
 
 ■ and June, 20 
 
 damp, 19 
 
 dew, 19 
 
 dry, 18 
 
 dust, 18 
 
 fishing, 19 
 
 flies, 18 
 
 fog, 19 
 
 March, frost, 19 
 
 gnats, 18 
 
 Greek legend, 18 
 
 humours, 20 
 
 mild, 18 
 
 mist, 19 
 
 pruning, 20 
 
 rain, 19 
 
 snow, 19 
 
 stormy, 19, 20 
 
 sun, IS, 19 
 
 thunder, 19 
 
 wet and warm, 19 
 
 wind, 19 
 
 Mare's tail, 94 
 Marigold, African, 156 
 
 Cape, 156 
 
 marsh, 156 
 
 Marsh harriers, 140 
 
 marigold and cuc- 
 koo, 156 
 
 Martinmas, 37 
 
 eve, 37 
 
 wind, 37, 83 
 
 Martins, 138 
 
 frost, 138 
 
 rain, 138 
 
 Matting, 159 
 
 Mawley, E., 13 
 
 May, 25-28 
 
 ■ 1st, 8th, nth, 12th, 
 
 13th, 25th, 28 
 
 and August, 28 
 
 and Juty, 28 
 
 and June, 27, 28 
 
 and other months, 
 
 28 
 
 ■ beans, 27 
 
 cold, 26 
 
 > cool and windy, 26 
 
 damp, 25 
 
 dew, 26 
 
 dry, 25, 26 
 
 flowers, 25 
 
 hay, 27 
 
 ■ tot, 25 
 
 merry, 25 
 
 mowing, 27 
 
 rainy, 25 
 
 snow, 27, 3S 
 
 sowing, 27 
 
 thunder, 27 
 
 wet, 25, 26 
 
 Meath, 39 
 
 Menual, Dr. J., 62, 116 
 Meteor streams, 67, 68 
 Meteors, 167 
 
 numerous, 67 
 
 Mice, 130, 131, 164 
 Michaelmas Day, 35 
 Middlesex, 51 
 
 Midlands, 150 
 Midnight rain, 1 10 
 Midsummer rain, 7 
 Midwinter, 9 
 Milan, 5 
 Mild winter, 8 
 Milk, 158 
 
 sour, 119 
 
 Milky Way, 67 
 
 Mills, J., 2 
 
 Milton, description, 
 
 thunder, 120 
 Mines, 159 
 flow of water in, 
 
 159 
 Mirage, 105 
 Mississippi, 103 
 Mists, 101, 102, 168 
 
 and frost, 114, 115 
 
 and rain, 102 
 
 and winds, IOI 
 
 black, 102 
 
 disappearing, IOI 
 
 in low ground, 102 
 
 • in old moon, 65 
 
 March, 19 
 
 rising, 102 
 
 river, 102 
 
 spreading, 102 
 
 vanishing, 102 
 
 white, IOI 
 
 Misty day, 43 
 
 morning, 102 
 
 ■ — ■ — - south wind, 81 
 
 sunrise, 49 
 
 Mitchell, Sir A., 107, 
 
 159 
 Mock suns, 55 
 with clouds, 
 
 86 
 Moles, 131 
 
 busy, 131 
 
 digging, 131 
 
 ■ storing food, 131 
 
 Mollusca, 142-144 
 Moncayo, 100 
 Months, 42 
 
 character of, 42 
 
 Monzie, 106 
 
 Moon, 56-65, 166, 168 
 
 and stormy weather, 
 
 60 
 
 April, 64 
 
 ■ bright, 57 
 
 changes, 58, 59, 63 
 
 changing, 3rd day, 
 
 57 
 
 4th day, 57, 63 
 
 5th day, 63 
 
 6th day, 63 
 
 in evening, 59 
 
Indt 
 
 ex. 
 
 Moon changing in morn- 
 ing, 59 
 
 Christmas, 38 
 
 clear, 58, 64 
 
 clouds at full, 64 
 
 colours, 57 
 
 dark, 57 
 
 part visible, 63 
 
 dim, 58 
 
 dry, 59, 60 
 
 dull, 57 
 
 full in October, 36 
 
 gale, 59 
 
 great or small, 58 
 
 high, 59 
 
 hours of change, 61 
 
 influence of, 58 
 
 large, 58 
 
 low, 59 
 
 new, 60 
 
 ■ and north 
 
 wind, 78 
 
 bright, 62 
 
 horns of, 61 
 
 misty, 63 
 
 north and 
 
 south, 61 
 
 ■ points of, 60 
 
 snow, 116 
 
 snowstorm, 63 
 
 obscured, 56 
 
 old, 64, 65 
 
 clouds in, 65 
 
 in arms of new, 
 
 64 
 
 • mist in, 65 
 
 on her back, 57, 62 
 
 pale, 60 
 
 phases of, 61 
 
 red, dim, 1 or pale, 
 
 58 
 
 rhyme, 58 
 
 rosy, 57 
 
 ruddy, 58 
 
 Saturday, 59 
 
 seen in day, 60 
 
 signs, 56 
 
 stars near, 65 
 
 Sunday, 59 
 
 waning, 59 
 
 — — watery, 58 
 
 way to wane, 58 
 
 Moonlight, 58 
 Moonrise pale, 59 
 
 red, 59 
 
 Moons, full, two in month, 
 
 64 
 Moore, Old, 128 
 Morayshire, 133 
 Morning clouds, 86 
 mist, 102 
 
 Morning rain, 109 
 
 rainbow, 112 
 
 sun, 48 
 
 thunder, 118 
 
 wind, 73 
 
 Motes, 158 
 
 Motions of clouds, 87 
 Moulting cock, 133 
 Mountain ash, 155 
 
 dew, 103 
 
 rain, 1 10 
 
 Mountains, 167 
 
 stratus, 98-101 
 
 Movable feasts, 40, 41 
 Mowing May, 27 
 Mud, snow, 116 
 Mulberry, 152 
 Mull of Kintyre, IOI 
 Mullet, 142 
 Muscse volitantes, 158 
 Mushrooms, year of, 5 
 
 NARES, Captain, 70, 
 73 
 Nautical, 43, 56, 64, 81, 
 
 92, 108, 112, 123 
 Nebula, 66 
 
 Prcesepe, 66 
 
 Negro, 142, 144 
 Nettles, dead, 153 
 New Cumnock, IOO 
 
 England, 36 
 
 moon, frost at, 60 
 
 snow, 63, 116 
 
 thaws, 61 
 
 style, 4 
 
 Year's Eve, 39 
 
 Newhaven, no 
 Nicholson, 68, 73 
 Night, 43 
 
 dew, 103 
 
 Nightingale, 137 
 Nimbus, definition, 98 
 
 rain, 98 
 
 Noah's ark cloud, 92 
 
 Noon change, 43 
 
 south wind clearing 
 
 at, 81 
 Norfolk, 59, 109 
 North Pacific, 109 
 North wind, 76 
 
 evils of, 7S 
 
 June, 29 
 
 North-east wind, 78 
 Northumberland, 18 
 North-west wind, 78 
 Norway, I, 8, 43 
 Norwich, 137 
 Notes and Queries, 58 
 November, 36, 37 
 1st, 36 
 
 November 1st, nth, 21st, 
 
 25th, 37 
 ■ ■ and March, 36 
 
 cold, 36 
 
 flowers, 36 
 
 satirical rhyme, 36 
 
 snow, 116 
 
 thunder, 36 
 
 water, 36 
 
 windy, 36 
 
 Nuts, year of, 5 
 
 OAK, 151, 152 
 and ash bud- 
 ding, 151 
 
 apples, 152 
 
 ■ April, 23 
 
 budding, 15 1 
 
 fruitful, 151 
 
 gall, 151 
 
 grey, 152 
 
 Oaks, January, II 
 Oat hygroscope, 154 
 October, 35, 36 
 
 18th and 28th, 36 
 
 and February, 35 
 
 and March, 36 
 
 and November, 36 
 
 ■ and winter, 36 
 
 • • barley, 35 
 
 birds and badgers, 
 
 36 
 
 cold, 35 
 
 ■ fall of leaves, 35 
 
 fine days in, 35 
 
 f°& 35 
 
 full moon, 36 
 
 gnats, 149 
 
 January and Feb- 
 ruary, 35 
 
 manure, 36 
 
 rain, 35 
 
 snow, 35 
 
 wind, 35 
 
 Onions, 155 
 
 Christmas, 39 
 
 skin, 155 
 
 Onoi, 66 
 
 Opening of flowers, 46 
 
 Orion, 65 
 
 Orkneys, 99, 134 
 
 Ormerod, Miss, 150 
 
 Owls, 138, 163, 164, 
 
 168 
 
 change, 13S 
 
 screaming, 138 
 
 Oxen, 36, 163 
 
 licking, 12S 
 
 lying on left side, 
 
 128 
 ■ > sniffing, 128 
 
184 
 
 Index. 
 
 3xenturningtailto wind, 
 
 Porpoises in harbour, 141 
 
 Rain and snow, in 
 
 
 128 
 
 swimming to wind- 
 
 and wind, 70, 7 1, 
 
 108 
 
 Dysters, July, 30 
 
 ward, 141 
 
 April, 22, 24 
 
 
 Dzanam, 94 
 
 Portuguese, 7, 10, 13, 19, 
 
 before sunrise, 
 
 no 
 
 
 20, 23, 26, 27, 32, 33, 34 
 
 calm, 108 
 
 
 DACKET boys, 94 
 y Paps of Jura, IOI 
 
 Poste, E., 71, 72 
 
 Candlemas, 16 
 
 
 Potatoes, April, 23 
 
 changes, 108 
 
 
 Parnell, T., 106 
 
 Prairie chicken, 135 
 
 Christmas, 39 
 
 
 Parrots, 134, 135 
 
 Prayers, weather, 3 
 
 cloud, 98 
 
 
 and macaws, 135 
 
 Primary colours, 1 13 
 
 continued, III 
 
 
 rain, 134, 135 
 
 Prince, C. L., 2, 48, 51, 
 
 custom, 116 
 
 
 Partridge, 135 
 
 52, 54, 88, 89, 93, 97, 
 
 desired, 1 1 1 
 
 
 Pastor Sunday, 41 
 
 102, 103, 112, 113, 116, 
 
 drizzle, 1 10 
 
 
 Pausanias, 160 
 
 121, 122, 123, 125, 138 
 
 February, 13 
 
 
 Pavements, 1 60 
 
 Proclamation, I 
 
 Friday, 43 
 
 
 Peacocks, 135, 166 
 
 Prcesepe, 66 
 
 from east, 109 
 
 
 crying, 135 
 
 Prophets, weather, I 
 
 July, 30 
 
 
 rain, 135 
 
 Pruning, March, 20 
 
 long foretold, 109 
 
 pea-fowls, 135 
 
 Ptarmigans, 135 
 
 March, 19 
 
 
 Pears, year of, 5 
 
 Purification Day, 14-17 
 
 midnight, 1 10 
 
 
 Pembrokeshire, 104 
 
 
 moon, 60 
 
 
 fendle's Head, 99 
 
 QUAILS, 135 
 
 \j Quaking asp, 152 
 
 morning, 109 
 
 
 Pentecost, 41 
 
 mountain, 108, 
 
 no 
 
 Periodical winds, 75 
 
 Quarries, 159 
 
 October, 35 
 
 
 Petrels, 141 
 
 
 planets, 1 10 
 
 
 Pey's Aunt (St. Elmo's 
 
 PACK, 89 
 
 i\ Radishes, year of, 5 
 
 rules, 109 
 
 
 fire), 68 
 
 St. Michael's, 3 
 
 5 
 
 ^liases of moon, 61 
 
 Ragusa, 82 
 
 September, 33 
 
 
 'hatne, 66 
 
 Rainband, 160 
 
 short, 109 
 
 
 Phosphorescence of sea, 
 
 Rainbow, 111-114, 166, 
 
 showers, III 
 
 108 
 
 167 
 
 signs of, 162, 
 
 163, 
 
 D igeons, 135 
 
 after drought, 113 
 
 164, 165, 166, 167, 
 
 168 
 
 returning, 135 
 
 blue colour pre- 
 
 small, no 
 
 
 D igs, 130 
 
 dominating, 113 
 
 showers, 1 
 
 09 
 
 carrying straws, 
 
 broad, 113 
 
 sound, 105 
 
 
 130 
 
 cloud, 1 12 
 
 south, 109 
 
 
 rubbingthemselves, 
 
 colours, 113 
 
 sowing, in 
 
 
 130 
 
 direction, 113 
 
 squalls, 109 
 
 
 seeing wind, 130 
 
 double, 113, 163 
 
 sudden, no 
 
 
 ■ wallowing, 130 
 
 east and west, ill 
 
 Sunday, 43 
 
 
 Pike, 142 
 
 evening, 112 
 
 three days, no 
 
 
 ^impernel, 156, 166 
 
 fair and foul 
 
 uncertain, 1 10 
 
 
 3 indar, 70, 1 10 
 
 weather, 112 
 
 west, 109 
 
 
 Pine, 152 
 
 high, 113 
 
 with east wind 
 
 So 
 
 D ipes, 160 
 
 ■ in wind's eye, 112 
 
 Rainy May, 25 
 
 
 D lanets, no 
 
 indications, 113 
 
 Rats, 130 
 
 
 conjunctions of, 67 
 
 leeward, 112 
 
 Raven and rook, 137 
 
 
 Wanting beans, 154 
 
 low, 113 
 
 Ravens, 137, 163, 
 
 164, 
 
 3 lants, 150-157 
 
 morning, 112 
 
 168 
 
 
 dates of flowering, 
 
 spring, 112 
 
 Ray, 23 
 
 
 44, 45 
 
 suddenly appear- 
 
 Rays at sunrise, 49 
 
 
 D lates, 161 
 
 ing, 114 
 
 sun, 48 
 
 
 'lautus, 64 
 
 windward, 112 
 
 Red clouds, 55, 88 
 
 
 -"leiades, 65 
 
 Rain, 108, 1 1 1 
 
 sky, 52 
 
 
 D liny, 6, 8, 9, 48, 63, 65, 
 
 and dew, 103, no 
 
 sun, 48 
 
 
 68, 77, 78, 132, 150, 
 
 and drought, III 
 
 sunset, 5 1 
 
 
 152, 155, 161 
 
 and fair weather, 
 
 Reflecting sky, 105 
 
 
 ^lums, year of, 5 
 
 in 
 
 Reptiles, 144, 145 
 
 
 Winter, 74, 86, 87, 1 10 
 
 and frost, 1 14 
 
 dormant, 145 
 
 
 -'ons-an-dane, 106 
 
 and hail, 109, III 
 
 Rheumatism, 157 
 
 
 'orpoises, 141 
 
 and hoar-frost, 114 
 
 Ribbed cirrus, 90 
 
 
Index. 
 
 i85 
 
 Ringwood, A., 75 
 River foam, 108 
 
 flood, 107 
 
 Riving Pike, IOI 
 Robin's Almanack, 31, 
 
 131 
 
 Robins, 138, 163 
 
 in bush, 138 
 
 on barns, 138 
 
 singing, 13S 
 
 Robinson, F. K., 43 
 Rolling wind, 75 
 Roman proverb, 33 
 Rooks, 135, 136, 163, 
 
 164, 166, 167 
 Roper, 9, 48 
 Ropes tightening, 159 
 Rose tints at sunset, 52 
 Roseberry Topping, 101 
 Rosehearty, 106 
 Ross, 99 
 
 Roxburghshire, IOO 
 Ruberslaw, 100 
 Rules, rain, 109 
 Russel, Hon. F. A. R., 90, 
 
 91, 95 
 Russia, 6, 154 
 Rust, 159 
 
 Rutland, 10, 14, 38, 127 
 Rye, July, 30 
 
 SAILORS' supersti- 
 tions, 158 
 St. Barnabas, 29 
 St. Bartholomew, 32, 33 
 
 thunderstorms, 33 
 
 St. Benedict, 21 
 
 St. Catherine, 37 
 
 St. David, 20 
 
 St. Elmo, 68 
 
 St. Eulalie, 17 
 
 St. Gallo, 32 
 
 St. Gallus, 35 
 
 St. George, 25 
 
 St. Giles, 34 
 
 St. Jacob, 32 
 
 St. John, 29, 30 
 
 St. Joseph, 21 
 
 St. Jude, 36 
 
 St. Lawrence, ^ 
 
 St. Luke, 36 
 
 St. Luke's little summer, 
 
 36 
 St. Margaret, 32, 33 
 St. Mark, 25 
 St. Martin, 37 
 
 Bullion, 31 
 
 St. Martin's summer, 37 
 St. Mary, 30, 33 
 
 Magdalene, 32 
 
 St. Matthew, 34 
 
 St. Matthew and St. Mat- 
 thias, 35 
 
 St. Matthias, 17 
 
 St. Medard, 29 
 
 St. Michael, 35 
 
 St. Patrick, 21 
 
 St. Paul, 12, 13 
 
 St. Peter, 17, 30 
 
 St. Processus, 31 
 
 St. Simon and St. Jude, 
 36 
 
 St. Stephen, 39 
 
 St. S within, 31, 32 
 
 St. Thomas, 38 
 
 St. Valentine, 17 
 
 St. Vincent, 12, 32 
 
 St. Vitus, 29 
 
 Saints' days, flowers, 46 
 
 weather, procla- 
 mation, I 
 
 Salamander, 145 
 Salmon, 142 
 Salt, 159, 160 
 "Sang" of sea, 106 
 Satire, November, 36 
 Satirical rhyme, 77 
 on barometer, 
 
 125 
 
 on moon, 58 
 
 partridge, 135 
 
 rhymes, 6, 36, 42, 
 
 51 
 
 Saturday moon, 59 
 
 sunshine, 43 
 
 Saxifrage, 156 
 
 Scalp locks, 158 
 
 Scorpions, 148 
 
 Scotch hills, 100, 101 
 
 Scotland, 2, 5, 9, 10, 15, 
 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 
 22, 26, 28, 30, 31, 34, 
 
 37. 5i, 54, 55, 56, 57, 
 58, 59, 61, 67, 68, 70, 
 75, 76, 80, 82, 83, 91, 
 
 93, 9 6 , 97, 9 8 , 99, I0 °, 
 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 
 106, 107, 108, in, 112, 
 115, 118, 119, 126, 129, 
 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 
 135, ] 3 6 , '39, HO, 145, 
 146, 153, '55, 160 
 
 Scott, Sir W., 21, 127 
 
 Screech-owl, 138 
 
 Scruffel, 100 
 
 Scud clouds, 88 
 
 Sea, 166 
 
 anemone, 142 
 
 birds, 140, 141 
 
 flight, 140 
 
 calling, 106 
 
 foam, 107, 108 
 
 Sea mews, 140, 164 
 
 phosphorescence, 
 
 108 
 
 sigh of, 107 
 
 urchin, 143 
 
 waterspouts, 108 
 
 ~ weed, 156 
 
 Seas in spring, 6 
 Seasons, 6-9 
 extreme, 6 
 
 indicated, 6 
 
 Seneca, 113 
 Sensitive plants, 154 
 September, 33-35 
 
 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 
 
 19th, 20th, 2 1 st, 22nd, 
 
 34 
 
 21st, 29th, 35 
 
 and March, 33 
 
 and November, 34 
 
 cold, 34 
 
 dry, 33 
 
 rain, 33 
 
 storms, 33 
 
 thunder, 34 
 
 wet, 33 
 
 wind, 34 
 
 Serpent worship, 144 
 Shaggie, 106 
 Shakespeare, 19, 37, 5°, 
 
 51, 52, 58, 60, 70, 71, 
 73, 74, 77, 81, 82, 83, 
 89, 97, 104, 109, 118, 
 
 134, 154 
 Sharks, 142 
 Shearing, 153 
 Sheep, 129 
 
 feeding, 129, 130 
 
 frisky, 129 
 
 returning slowly, 
 
 129 
 
 wind, 130 
 
 Sheet cirrus, 90 
 
 lightning, 118 
 
 Shepherd of Banbury, 
 
 49, 63, 86, 89, 97, 102, 
 
 109, no 
 Shepherd's Kalendar, 29, 
 
 33, 39 
 Shepherds, 78 
 Shetland, 30 
 Shilfa, 139 
 Shipping visible, 105 
 Short harvest, 8 
 Showers, short, 1 1 1 
 Shropshire, 26, 42, 69, 
 
 7°, I3 6 , 137, '51, ^ 
 
 159 
 Siberian sow thistle, 
 
 155 
 Sidlaw Hills, 101 
 
1 86 
 
 Index. 
 
 Sigh of sea, 107 
 Signs of bad weather, 
 162, 163, 164 
 
 of fine "weather, 168 
 
 of frost breaking, 
 
 "5 
 Silence before thunder, 
 
 118 
 Silver maple, 152 
 Skiddaw, 100 
 Sky, 104, 105 
 
 at evening and 
 
 morning, 53 
 
 blue space in, 104 
 
 bright at new moon, 
 
 62 
 
 CarleorCarlisle, 105 
 
 clear, 104, 105 
 
 colours, 105 
 
 dark, 105 
 
 foul, 104 
 
 full of stars, 65 
 
 greenish, 104 
 
 grey, 105 
 
 hazy, 104 
 
 July, 3° 
 
 reflecting, 105 
 
 Sloe tree, 152 
 Smoke falling, 160 
 
 tobacco, 160 
 
 Snails, rain, 144 
 Snake trails, 145 
 Snakes, 144, 145 
 
 and thunder, 117 
 
 hunting food, 145 
 
 rain, 145 
 
 water, 145 
 
 Snipe, 135 
 Snow, 9, 97 
 
 and hay, 115 
 
 and rain, III 
 
 April, 23 
 
 barometer, 122 
 
 beneficial, 115 
 
 Candlemas, 16 
 
 Christmas, 38 
 
 clouds, 116 
 
 crops, 116 
 
 dissolving, 115 
 
 dry, 116 
 
 February, 14 
 
 flakes, 116 
 
 harrowing, 115 
 
 healthy, 116 
 
 January, ri 
 
 last, 116 
 
 lying, 116 
 
 March, 19 
 
 May, 27, 38 
 
 mud, 116 
 
 new moon, 116 
 
 Snow, November, 116 
 
 October, 35 
 
 temperature, 115 
 
 wet, 116 
 
 Snowstorm at newmoon, 
 
 63 
 Soap, 160 
 Solar halo, 55 
 Soot, 162, 166 
 Sores, 158 
 Sound, 105-107 
 
 in air, 106 
 
 of waves, 164 
 
 ■ on shore, 106 
 
 rain, 105 
 
 travelling, 106 
 
 whistle, 107 
 
 South rain, 109 
 
 whirlwind, 81 
 
 wind, 81 
 
 dew, 103 
 
 South-east wind, 83 
 South-west wind, 83 
 Sow thistle, 155 
 Sowing barley, 152 
 
 beans, 152, 154 
 
 January, II 
 
 May, 27 
 
 north wind, 78 
 
 rain, in 
 
 weather, 1 
 
 Spain, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 
 
 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 
 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 
 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 34, 
 35. 6 3> 78, 100, 102, 
 107, 108, in, 135, 161 
 
 Sparks, 161 
 
 Sparrows, 139, 163 
 
 Spectroscope, 160 
 
 Spiders, 147, 166 
 
 busy, 147 
 
 changing webs, 147 
 
 cleaning, 147 
 
 creeping out, 147 
 
 garden, 148 
 
 indolent, 147 
 
 mode of working, 
 
 H7 
 
 on walls, 147 
 
 rain, 147 
 
 removing, 147 
 
 renewing webs, 147 
 
 Spiders' webs, 147, 148 
 
 dewy, 148 
 
 ■ long, 148 
 
 Spreading and drifting, 
 
 clouds, 85 
 Spring, 6, 7 
 
 and summer, 7 
 
 cold, 6 
 
 Spring, cuckoo, 6 
 
 damp, 6 
 
 dry, 6 
 
 fine day in, 6 
 
 in January, 10 
 
 in winter, 7 
 
 rainbow, 112 
 
 storms, 7 
 
 thunder, 7, 117 
 
 Springs, 162 
 
 ■ rising, 162 
 
 Squalls, 73 
 
 rain, 109 
 
 Squill, 157 
 Squirrels, 131 
 Staffordshire, 22 
 Stagnant water, 162 
 Starlings, 138 
 Stars, 65-67, 168 
 
 Aselli, 66 
 
 fading, 67 
 
 frost, 115 
 
 Hyades, 65 
 
 in Cancer, 66 
 
 in halo, 65 
 
 misty, 65 
 
 near moon, 65 
 
 nebulae, 66 
 
 Orion, 65 
 
 Phatne, 66 
 
 Pleiades, 65 
 
 showing wind, 65 
 
 sky full of, 65 
 
 twinkling, 65 
 
 Steel nights, 17 
 Stillingfleet, 156 
 Stomach, 158 
 Stones, damp, 159 
 Storm, 97, 107 
 
 and frost, 1 14 
 
 cloud, S6, 89 
 
 duration of, 
 
 unseasonable, 73 
 
 Storms, cyclonic, 73 
 
 in spring, 7 
 
 September, 33 
 
 Sunday, 43 
 
 wind, 70 
 
 Stormy petrel, 141 
 
 sunrise, 49 
 
 ■ weather, moon, 60 
 
 Strabo, 73 
 
 Strachan, R., 123 
 
 Stratus, 99 
 
 Stringed instruments, 
 
 ■59 
 Strings, etc., 159 
 Sudden changes, 108 
 Suffolk, 64, 1 10 
 Summer, 7, 8 
 All Hallow'n, 36 
 
Index. 
 
 187 
 
 Summer and autumn, 7 
 
 and winter, S 
 
 barometer, 122 
 
 birds, 46 
 
 cool, 8 
 
 days, 8 
 
 dry, 7 
 
 and wet, 7 
 
 ■ ■ fog, 8 
 
 hot and dry, 7 
 
 Indian, 8 
 
 lightning, IlS 
 
 moist, 7 
 
 St. Luke's, 36 
 
 St. Martin's, 37 
 
 rainy, S 
 
 stormy, 7 
 
 thunder, 1 17 
 
 Sun, 48-55 
 
 between clouds, 48 
 
 concave, 48 
 
 ■ dog, 112 
 
 dull at rising or 
 
 setting, 54 
 
 heat, 48 
 
 in Leo, 30 
 
 lurid, 54 
 
 moon and stars, 47, 
 
 68 
 
 morning, 48 
 
 rays, 48 
 
 red, 48 
 
 signs, 54 
 
 Sunbeams, 48 
 
 north and south, 
 
 54 
 Sunday, clear, 43 
 
 ■ last in month, 43 
 
 ■ ■ moon, 59 
 
 rain, 43 
 
 storms, 43 
 
 Sunrise, 48-50 
 
 and sunset, 48, 52- 
 
 55 
 
 bright, 54 
 
 clear, 49 
 
 cloudy, 49, 53 
 
 colours, 54 
 
 dark clouds at, 50, 
 
 54 
 
 full, 52 
 
 gaudy, 50 
 
 glaring, 50 
 
 gloomy, 49 
 
 grey, 48 
 
 halo, 48 
 
 misty, 49 
 
 pale, 49 
 
 proverb, 49 
 
 rays, 53 
 
 red, 50, 54 
 
 Sunrise ruddy, 50 
 
 stormy, 49 
 
 Suns, mock, 55, 86 
 Sunset, 50, 52, 166 
 
 breeze, 51 
 
 bright, 51 
 
 clear, 51 
 
 cloudless, 54 
 
 cloudy, 52 
 
 colours, 50, 51 
 
 golden, 51 
 
 hazy, 52 
 
 pale, 52 
 
 red, 51 
 
 sad, 52 
 
 Sunday, 43 
 
 • wet, 52 
 
 wind, 72 
 
 yellow, 51 
 
 Sunshine, 1 
 
 and rain, 1 10, III 
 
 August, 32 
 
 Candlemas, 14-17 
 
 ■ Christmas, 38 
 
 St. Mary's, 33 
 
 Saturday, 43 
 
 Superstition, dead body, 
 
 158 
 
 thunder, 119 
 
 Superstitions respecting 
 
 stars, 65 
 Superstitious rhyme, 
 
 Christmas, 39 
 Surf, 107 
 Surrey, 89 
 Sussex, 16, 40, 99 
 Swahili proverb, 65 
 Swainson, C, 35, 61, 73, 
 
 III, 134, 136, 137, HO, 
 
 149, 152 
 Swallows, 163, 166, 167 
 
 and swifts, 138 
 
 and wood anemone, 
 
 154 
 
 flight, 138 
 
 summer, 7 
 
 Swan's nest, 134 
 Swans, 134, 167 
 Swarm of bees, 146 
 Sweden, 8, 12, 41, 115 
 Swifts, 138 
 Swine, 166, 168 
 Switzerland, 5 
 Symons, v, 62, 125 
 
 TABLE Mountain, 100 
 Tables, 158 
 Tarantulas, 148 
 Teasel, 156 
 Telescope, 125 
 Temperature, 108 
 
 Temperature at different 
 
 levels, 125 
 
 changes, 108 
 
 increasing, 125 
 
 Tempest clouds, 86 
 Tennyson, 152 
 Teviotside, 100 
 Texas, 81 
 Thaw, 114 
 
 Thaws at new ittoon, 61 
 Theophrastus, Jl, 72 
 Thermometer, 125 
 Thistledown, 164 
 
 stemless, 156 
 
 Thistles, 156 
 Thompson, 168 
 Thorn, 153 
 Thornton, Dr., 135 
 Three days' cold, 43 
 Thrush, 136 
 Thunder, 94, 167 
 
 and heat, 117 
 
 and lightning, 117- 
 
 120 
 
 ■ and rain, 117 
 
 and snakes, 117 
 
 April, 24 
 
 Autumn, S 
 
 bells, 120 
 
 Christmas, 39 
 
 continuous, 120 
 
 December, 38 
 
 distant, 118 
 
 early, 7 
 
 and late, 117 
 
 east, 119 
 
 wind, So 
 
 evening, 1 18 
 
 February, 14 
 
 first, 7, 117 
 
 January, 1 1 
 
 July, 30 
 
 March, 19 
 
 May, 27 
 
 morning, 118 
 
 north-west, 119 
 
 wind, 78 
 
 November, 36 
 
 rain, 119 
 
 rolling, 120 
 
 September, 34 
 
 silence before, 118 
 
 souring milk. 119 
 
 south and north, 119 
 
 or west, 119 
 
 spring, 7, 117 
 
 summer, 117 
 
 times of, 118 
 
 winter, 9, 117 
 
 Thunderstorms, 117 
 St. Bartholomew, 33 
 
Index. 
 
 Thunderstorms, wind, 117 
 Thursday, 42 
 Tide, 107, 108 
 
 ebb and flow, 107 
 
 flood, 107 
 
 ■ rain, 107 
 
 surf, 107 
 
 ■ swell, 107 
 
 turn of, 107 
 
 wind, 107 
 
 Timber, January, 1 1 
 Times and seasons, 3-47 
 
 of thunder, 118 
 
 Titmouse, 137 
 Toads, 145, 166 
 Toadstools, 156 
 Tobacco smoke, 160 
 Torches, etc., 162, 164 
 Tortoises, 145 
 Tottenham Wood, 51 
 Transplanting in autumn, 
 
 8 
 Traprain, 100 
 Tree frogs, 145 
 Trefoil, 154 
 Trout, 142 
 
 not biting, 142 
 
 Tufted cirrus, go 
 Tumbling of rooks, 136 
 Turkeys, 134 
 
 water, 134 
 
 Turret, 106 
 
 Tusser, 11, 13, 36, 58, 59, 
 
 76, in 
 Tweed, 107 
 Tweedside, 13 
 Twilight, 43 
 
 UMBRELLA, in 
 Undulating cirrus, 
 
 United States, 8, 9, 16, 
 28, 32, 33, 36, 37, 40, 
 42, 52, 55. 58, 61, 62, 
 67, 76, 78, 79, 81, 83, 
 85, 87, 97, 98, 102, 103, 
 104, 105, 107, 109, 112, 
 114, 116, 117, 119, 126, 
 128, 129, 130, 132,133, 
 134, 135. 137, 139, H2, 
 144, '45. '48, 149.152, 
 153, 162 
 Unseasonable storms, 73 
 Unwholesome wind, 83 
 
 VARIOUS signs, 157- 
 168 
 Veering wind, 71 
 Vernal equinox, 40 
 Vines and hoar-frost, 1 14 
 
 Virgil, 3, 38, 49, 51, 58, 
 61, 62, 119, 152, 166, 
 167, 168 
 
 Vortex, 72 
 
 WADRCEPHE, 28 
 Wales, 136 
 Walls, 159, 166 
 Walter, J. E., 162 
 Wane cloud, 93 
 Waning moon, 59 
 Wasps, 146 
 Water, fresh, from salt, 
 
 157 
 
 November, 30 
 
 stagnant, 162 
 
 waggons, 96 
 
 Waterfowl. 140, 163, 167 
 Watering, ill 
 Water-snakes, 1 45 
 Waterspouts, 108 
 Waves, 164, 167 
 clouds, and winds, 
 
 69 
 phosphorescence, 
 
 108 
 Way to wane, 58 
 Weasels, stoats, etc., 131 
 Weather breeders, 9, 13, 
 
 108 
 
 changes, I, 2 
 
 fine, 2 
 
 gaw, 112 
 
 good, I 
 
 house, toy, 159 
 
 in general, 1-3 
 
 rhyme, 2 
 
 signs, 2 
 
 toys, 145, 159 
 
 Weather-head cirrus, 92 
 Weathers in five days, I 
 Webs, spiders', 147, 148 
 Wednesday, 42 
 Week, days of, 42 
 Welsh Border, 62 
 Wesley, C, 74 
 West Indies, hurricanes, 
 
 rain, 109 
 
 wind, 83 
 
 Wet August, 32 
 
 Christmas, 38 
 
 May, 25, 26 
 
 September, 33 
 
 snow, 116 
 
 Whitsunday, 41 
 
 Whale cloud, 93 
 Whales, 141 
 Wheat and rye, 153 
 Whirlwind from north, 
 77 
 
 10S, 
 
 Whispering wind, 75 
 
 Whistle, 107 
 
 Whistling, 158 
 
 of wind, 82 
 
 Whitby, 43 
 
 White frost, 114 
 
 Whitethorn, 153 
 
 Whitlow grass, 154 
 
 Whitsunday, 41 
 
 and Christmas, 41 
 
 wet, 41 
 
 Whitsuntide, 41 
 
 rain, 41 
 
 Wild, 140 
 
 indigo, 153 
 
 ■ oat, 154 
 
 Willsford, T, 119, 130, 
 131, 139, HO, Hi, H2, 
 143, 146, H7, 148, 152, 
 156. 
 
 Wilson, 84 
 
 Prof., 2, 156 
 
 Wiltshire, 19, 23, 
 112, 127 
 
 Wind, 68, 84, 166 
 
 and barometer, 123 
 
 and clouds, 85 
 
 and planets, 75 
 
 and rain, 70, 71, 108 
 
 and weather, 68, 69 
 
 backing, 71, 72 
 
 Ballot's law, 72 
 
 barley harvest, 76 
 
 blight, 75 
 
 brisk, 70 
 
 Candlemas, 16 
 
 changing, 71, 74, 75 
 
 from north, 78 
 
 north to north- 
 east, 72 
 north to south, 
 
 74 
 north-east or 
 
 east to south-east or 
 
 south, 79 
 — north-west or 
 
 west to south-west or 
 
 south, 79 
 ■ north-west to 
 
 north-east, and south 
 
 and north-east, 79 
 ■ north-west to 
 
 south, 79 
 • south to north, 
 
 74 
 to north-west, 
 
 channel, 78 
 
 cloud, 73 
 
 cold, 88 
 
 currents of, 79 
 
Ivdc. 
 
 189 
 
 Wind, cyclones, 27 
 
 day and night, 69 
 
 direction, 76, 77 
 
 of centre of 
 
 cyclone, 73 
 
 Dove's law, 71 
 
 drought, 77 
 
 east, 79 
 
 and north, 80 
 
 and west, 80 
 
 clear, So 
 
 • cold, So 
 
 ■ dry, 79, 80 
 
 fishers, 80 
 
 north-east, 80 
 
 ■ stormy, 80 
 
 thunder, 80 
 
 • — ■ with rain, 80 
 
 first north, 78 
 
 — — fishers, 77 
 
 following sun, 7 1 
 
 gale, 88 
 
 south-west, S3 
 
 gusts, 69 
 
 Habberley, 70 
 
 heat, 75 
 
 high, 75 
 
 increasing, 69 
 
 June, 29 
 
 March, 19 
 
 Martinmas, 37, S3 
 
 morning, 73 
 
 night, 70 
 
 changes, 74 
 
 north, 76-78 
 
 and south, 82, 
 
 83 
 
 cold, 77 
 
 cream, 78 
 
 evils of, 78 
 
 fair, 77 
 
 ■ new moon, 78 
 
 night, 77 
 
 rainy, 77 
 
 shepherds, 78 
 
 snow, 78 
 
 sterile, 78 
 
 thunder, 78 
 
 north-east, 76, 78 
 
 at vernal 
 
 equinox, 40 
 
 to east, 74 
 
 north-west, 76, 78, 
 
 79 
 
 and north- 
 east, 79 
 
 and south- 
 east, 79 
 
 and south- 
 west, 78 
 
 October, 35 
 
 at 
 
 for 
 
 Wind, pigs seeing, 130 
 
 rise and fall of, 69 
 
 south rising and 
 
 falling, 82 
 
 rolling, 75 
 
 satire on, 77 
 
 September, 34 
 
 shifting during 
 
 drought, 74 
 
 to south and 
 
 south-west, S3 
 
 south, 76 
 
 brisk, 81 
 
 clear, 81 
 
 ■ clearing 
 
 noon, 81 
 
 continued, 81 
 
 damp, 82 
 
 ■ foggy, 81 
 
 gentle, 82 
 
 • good 
 
 fishers, 82 
 
 hot, 81 
 
 in winter, 81, 
 
 light, 81 
 
 misty, 81 
 
 night, 82 
 
 rainy, 82 
 
 soothing, 82 
 
 tempestuous, 
 
 81 
 
 to north, 74 
 
 warm, 81 
 
 wet, 81 
 
 whistling in 
 
 leaves, 82 
 
 south-east, 76, 83 
 
 south-west, 76, 83 
 
 ■ rainy, 83 
 
 stormy, 83 
 
 third day, 83 
 
 warm, 83 
 
 sowing and graft- 
 ing, 78 
 
 squalls, 73 
 
 storms, 70 
 
 sudden, 73 
 
 changes, 74 
 
 sunset, 7 2 
 
 tendency, 75 
 
 thunderstorms, 117 
 
 tide, 107 
 
 unsteady, 74 
 
 uses of, 68 
 
 vane, E. Darwin's, 
 
 75 
 
 veering, 71 
 
 vortex, 72 
 
 west, 76, 77, 84 
 
 and east, 84 
 
 fishers, 80 
 
 Wind west good, 83 
 not for long, 
 
 83 
 
 wet, 83 
 
 westerly rule, 83 
 
 whirlwind, 77 
 
 whispering, 75 
 
 Winds, 166, 167 
 and mists, 101 
 
 clouds and waves, 
 
 69 
 
 cross, 88 
 
 eye, rainbow, 112 
 
 February, 14 
 
 light and heavy, 75 
 
 periodical, 75 
 
 strong, 69 
 
 various, 76 
 
 Windy Cap, 69 
 Christmas, 38 
 
 days, three, Sep- 
 tember, 34 
 
 May, 26 
 
 November, 36 
 
 Wine, Christmas, 39 
 
 comet years, 67 
 
 Wing, 65, 66, 74, 81, 86, 
 
 103 
 Winter, 8, 9 
 
 barometer, 122 
 
 birds, 47 
 
 blackthorn, 22 
 
 clear, 9 
 
 ■ cranes, 139 
 
 dry, 8 
 
 early, 9 
 
 fine day in, 9 
 
 floods, 9 
 
 fog, 9, 104 
 
 frost, 9 
 
 green, 8 
 
 hail, 115 
 
 long, 9 
 
 mild, 8 
 
 — — onion's skin, 155 
 
 rainy, 9 
 
 thunder, 9, 117 
 
 Withershins, 73 
 Wolf, 130 
 Wolsonbury, 99 
 Wood anemone, 155 
 and swallows, 
 
 154 
 
 damp, 157 
 
 sorrel, 154, 1 56 
 
 Woodchuck, Candlemas, 
 
 16 
 Woodcocks, 135 
 Wooden hygroscope, 158 
 Wood lice, 148 
 Woodpecker, 137 
 
igo 
 
 Index. 
 
 Woodpeckerscrying, 137 
 
 leaving, 137 
 
 trees, 137 
 
 Woollams, E., 144 
 Worcestershire, 59, 101, 
 
 152 
 Worledge, 151 
 Worms, 144, 163 
 Worthing, 105 
 Wounds, 15S 
 Wrens, 163 
 
 yARROW, 53 
 1 Year, dry, 4 
 
 figs, acorns, nuts, 
 
 hay, grass, pears, 
 cherries, plums, etc., 5 
 
 frosty, 5 
 
 good, 4 
 
 misty, 5 
 
 old, 4 
 
 snowy, 5 
 
 wet, 4 
 
 Year, wet and dry, 4 
 
 windy, 5 
 
 Yorkshire, S, 12, 25, 34 
 
 Yule, 37 
 
 z 
 
 EUS, bowl of, in 
 Xufii Indians, 52, 
 
 55, 56, 76, 96, 103, 
 108, 117, 119, 145, 
 149 
 
 Elliot Stock, Paternoster Row, London. 
 
Morfc bs tbe same Hutbor. 
 
 THE 
 
 TEMPLE OF THE ANDES. 
 
 Demy tfo, with 19 Lithographic Plates from 
 Drawings by the Author. 
 
 'T'O give an account of the ruins of an interesting ancient Temple in 
 
 *- Bolivia, and to show their connection with the History and Traditions 
 
 of the Peruvian people, are the objects of this book. Most South American 
 
 travellers are agreed that these ruins are the oldest in the New World, and 
 that they show evidences of greater advances in the arts than are seen in 
 any other relics in the Western Hemisphere. They are intimately connected 
 with the early religion of Peru under the Incas. The accounts of the 
 old Spanish writers are drawn upon to throw light on the probable signi- 
 fication of the sculptures, and some attempt is made to revive an interest 
 in the aboriginal inhabitants of this magnificent country so long racked by 
 wars and revolutions. 
 
 The Temple of Tiahuanaco was dedicated to the Creator of the 
 
 Universe. 
 
 London : Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row. 
 
 Price 5/- nett. 
 
.