of Changes in ihe IVeuthcr. 213 



tlon, on journeys which I was under the ncceflity of conti ■ 

 nuing for fcvcral clays. 



That the weathe'r-fifli * [colitis fojJiUs) leaves the water 

 quite pure durino- dry wcalher, aud the green frogf fits at 

 the toji of tlie glais, niav proceed frc^ni the ligluer or heavier 

 Jlate of the atniofphere, particularly as the latter is rcniark- 

 ably fond of cleanlincfs and nioderatclv pare air. 



The an'enihling of ravens in tlic fields, and the finging of 

 the wood-pigconj may be eafily accounted for from the above 

 principles. 



I have never fecn birds in good weather drcfs their fea- 

 thers with oil from their fat glands, in order to feeure them 

 from rain ; but I havaobferved many do fo when the atnio- 

 fphere was overcaft, and when there was an appearance of 

 rain. I (liould therefore include this eircamiianec in the 

 following clafs, did not experien.ce admit alfo of another ex- 

 planation, viz. that the birds, from tiic atmofphcre becoming 

 lighter, hope for the fpeedy arrival of dry weather, and there- 

 fore anoint themfelvcs, and fecure their feathers from moiiturc, 

 that they may be able to fly higher than ufurd with the lefs 

 imj)cdiment. If the laft explanation ought not to be alto- 

 gether rejected, as I do not think it can, we may admit of 

 this obfervaiion; efpecially as all the experience of men 

 worthy of belief allows of no reafoniug to be brought 

 againll: it. 



The exprefiion of animals which fliow a prefenfajion of 

 rainy weather mav be explained partly froin the incrcafing 

 weight of the atm,ofphere, partly from their manner of living, 

 and ])artlv from the want of moiQure which is neceflary to 

 their exilience. 



The rcfilefihefs of domefiic cattle may proceed from many 

 caufes. It is known that the atmofphcre in fummer, before 

 rain lulls, is generally heavier, on account of the elcclric 

 vapour that arifes. The inl'ed^s which infelt cattle, and 

 which mark this hcavinefs, become then more numerous, 

 and, getting int(j the (lalls w here the cattle are kept, torment 

 them and make them refllefs. The afcending vapour has 

 alfo perha|7s fonie influence on the fkins of thcfe animals, 

 whicli ceafcs when the earth does not fufier fo much vapour 

 to tfcape as before ; or the air, too flrongly charged with 

 electricity, excites in them an unpleafant fenfulion. It in- 



■ So calitd bccaiile kept in Cicimmiy ti) torctcl changes of the wtatlicr. 

 Wlicn tilt w Cither is riiic tluy continue quiet, but btlorc a lUirm or laiu 

 art very reftiefs — Edit. 



+ Tills anitnal, tl.ough very comirn n i:i many parts of Eun.pc, is not 

 found in Jingland. — liun-, 



O3 deed 



