122 PLINY'S NATUJIAL HISTORY. [Book XVIII. 



large numbers from the east, like fleeces of wool in appearance, 

 they indicate a continuance of rain for the next three days. 

 When the clouds settle on the summits of the mountains," there 

 will be stormy weather; but if the clouds clear away, it will 

 be fine. When the clouds are white and lowering, a hail- 

 storm, generally known as a " white" 1 tempest, is closest 

 hand. An isolated cloud, however small, 2 though seen in a 

 clear sky, announces wind and storm. 



CHAP. 83. PROGNOSTICS DEBITED FROM MISTS. 



Mists descending from the summits of mountains, or from the 

 heavens, or settling in the vallies, 3 give promise of fine weather. 



CHAP. 84. PROGNOSTICS DERIVED FROM FIRE KINDLED BY MAN. 



[Next to these are the prognostics that are derived from fire 

 kindled upon the earth. 4 If the flames are pallid, and emit a 

 murmuring noise, they are considered to presage stormy 

 weather ; and fungi upon the burning wick of the lamp are a 

 sign of rain. 5 If the flame is spiral arid flickering, it is an in- 

 dication of wind, and the same is the case when the lamp goes 

 out of itself, or is lighted with difficulty. So, too, if the snuff 

 hangs down, and sparks gather upon it, or if the burning coals 

 adhere 6 to vessels taken from off the fire, or if the fire, when 

 covered up, sends out hot embers or emits sparks, or if the cin- 

 ders gather into a mass upon the hearth, or the coals burn 

 bright and glowing. 



CHAP. 85. PROGNOSTICS DERIVED FROM WATER. 



There are certain prognostics, too, that may be derived from 



9 Theophrastus states to a similar effect, and it is confirmed by the ex- 

 perience of those who live in mountainous countries. 



1 We still hear of the " white squalls" of the Mediterranean. 



2 " * Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's 



hand.' And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was 



black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain." 1 Kings, xviii. 

 44, 45. 



3 The truth of this, Fee says, he has personally experienced in the 

 vallies of the Alps. 4 Terreni ignys. 



5 This, and the other phenomena here mentioned, result, as Fee says, 

 from the hygrometric state of the air. Yirgil mentions this appearance on 

 the wick of the lamp, Georg. i. 392. 



6 Fee thinks that this indicates fine weather rather than rain, as show- 

 ing a pure state of the atmosphere. 



