CHAPTER L, 

 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. CLIMATOLOGY. 



WEATHER, CLIMATE, AND TEMPERATURE ISOTHERMAL LINES ISOBARS, 



WEATHER FORECASTS, AND SIGNS OF THE SKY. 



IT is usually considered a sign of a paucity of ideas when one begins a 

 conversation about the "weather," but there can be no doubt that there is 

 no more interesting question in social life at certain times as to whether it 

 will or will not rain. Our outdoor amusements are all dependent upon 

 weather, and a little cloud may throw a deep shadow over all our pleasure if 

 we neglect to bring out an umbrella, or to carry a waterproof. We are 

 never independent of what we term the "capricious" climate, but in reality 

 the laws of "the Weather," though so imperfectly understood, are fixed 

 and invariable, and if we could read the signs in the sky and learn the 

 condition of the atmosphere, we might leave the "prayers for rain" and "for 

 fine weather" out of the Church service, for then we should understand 

 that unless miracles are performed for us the laws of Nature can in no wise 

 be altered. 



Of late years weather forecasts (not prophecies) have come before us in 

 our newspapers after the manner instituted by the late Admiral Fitzroy, 

 whose name has become a household word in England. But at the com- 

 mencement of the Christian era and before that time the signs of the 

 heavens and the behaviour of animals and birds were noted with reference 

 to changes of weather. If we read Virgil we shall find numerous references 

 to these portents, and the translation usually quoted will furnish us with infor- 

 mation which must be as true nowadays as it was in Virgil's time, for wild 

 animals do not change their habits. Speaking of wet weather in the 

 Georgics the poet wrote : 



The wary crane foresees it first, and sails 

 Above the storm, and leaves the hollow vales ; 

 The cow looks up, and from afar can find 

 The change of heaven, and sniffs it in the wind ; 

 The swallow skims the river's watery face, 

 The frogs renew the croaks of their loquacious race ; 

 The careful ant her secret cell forsakes, 

 And draws her eggs along the narrow tracks ; 

 Huge flocks of rising rooks forsake their food, 

 And, crying, seek the shelter of the wood. 

 ****** 



The owls, that mark the setting sun, declare 

 A starlight evening and a morning fair." 



