18 WIATHER AND WEATHER GLASSES' 



summer. Since the variations of the barometer are much greater in 

 winter than in summer, it is clear that the scale for winter should be at 

 least twice as large as that for summer. Hence the advantage of putting a 

 summer scale on one side of the tube, and a winter scale on the other. 

 Perhaps the best lettering would be ' N.E. Polar current,' for the top of 

 the scale ; ' E, or W. transition,' for the middle ; and ' S.W. equatorial 

 current,' for the lowest mark. 



Hints. 



At the outset two remarks may be made; first, the barometer rather 

 foretels the coming weather, than indicates that which is prevailing; 

 second, the state of the barometer for a day or two previous to the 

 observation is the best guide to the coming weather. In other words it is 

 not the actual height of the column, so much as the state of its motion 

 that is to be relied upon in forecasting the weather. If the mercury has 

 been much disturbed, expect unsettled Aveather no matter at what height 

 it may stand. 



Signs of the weather. 



1. Fine. — A rosy sky at sunset — a grey sky at simrise — a low 

 dawn — soft-looking fine clouds — a light, bright blue sky — ^eai'ly flights of 

 sea-birds — distant flights of land birds — dew — fog. 



2. Wet. — Red sky at sunrise — greasy, rolled, ragged clouds — pale 

 yellow sunset — small inky-looking clouds — misty clouds hanging on 

 hUls — low flight of swallows — imusually clear outline of hills — halos — 

 unusual twinklings of the stars. 



3. Wind. — Hard-edged oily-looking clouds — a dark blue gloomy 



sky —bright yellow sunset — imusual gaudy colours at sunset. 



During great storms, the most dangerous period is generally a short 



time after the barometer begins to rise from the lowest point. The 



barometer falls lowest with storms fi'om the S.E., S. or S.W ; and the 



gi-eatest elevations of the column are with winds from the N.W., N. and 



N.E. 



The following diagram exhibits a simple and clear method of keeping 

 a register of the barometer from day to day. 



