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wind at a great lieiglit, and frequently this is different from that 

 nearer the surface of the earth. This cloud is often a token of rain 

 or of wind. Cirro-ciamdiis (mackerel sky) foretells fresh breeze. 

 The nautical rhjone says: "'Mackerel sky and mares' taUs make 

 ships carry low sails." Cirro-stratus is a sheet-like form of cloud 

 with a Une edge. Cumulus is a lower cloud ; if it grows larger and 

 goes against the wind, it denotes rain. Stratus is the lowest cloud 

 of all, and is sometimes known as ground-fog. This is the grey 

 which the sun breaks through, and which is usually followed by a 

 fine day. Ximhus is a dark cloud full of rain. When two clouds 

 of different heights are seen going in different directions, rain 

 usually ensues. When clouds have gaudy hues and strong outlines, 

 rain and strong wind may be expected. But such popular weather 

 maxims, although really valuable, are not to be implicitly relied 

 upon. 



In the year 1861 Admiral Fitzroy first issued his daily weather 

 reports, and attempted to give forecasts for the three following days ; 

 but it was found that the warnings were so often wrong that it was 

 deemed ad^•isable to discontimre them. In 1869 a more modest 

 kind of forecast was sent out, in which the direction of the 

 wind was not furnished ; some time subsequently, however, the 

 direction was given. Quite recently the Meteorological OflBce, 

 having patiently for a whole year experimented on forecasting, 

 considered that a sufficient degi-ee of accm-acy had been obtained to 

 furnish a daily report of the weather ; and this report now appears 

 in the "Times." The announcements published in the "Times" 

 date from the previous evening, and in the main they are coirect. 

 They are regularly forwarded by post or telegraph to anyone who 

 will pay the small subscription required ; and, by applying at any 

 postal telegraph office, a forecast for any part of the United Kingdom 

 for the following day may be procured. 



The principles on which the forecasts are made are thus 

 explained. When a cun-ent of water meets with an obstmction, an 

 eddy or whirl is produced : and a whirl results when, similarly, a 

 current of air meets with an obstruction. In this part of the earth 

 the natm'al tendency of the air is to move from west to east. But 

 interruptions to the straightforward motion are always happening. 



