J2 OF CLOUDS. CHAP. l.4. 



SECTION IV. 



Of tlie Stratus or Falldoud. PI. II. Fig. 4.* 

 STRATVS. Def, NVBES STRATA AQVAE MODO EXPANSA, 



DEORSVM CRESCENS. 



THE stratus is the lowest of clouds; its 

 under surface usually rests on the earth, or on 

 the water. It may properly be called the cloud 

 of night, as it frequently makes its appearance 

 about sunset, and disappears soon after sunrise. 

 When ascending in the atmosphere, it often 

 seems at a certain elevation to take the irregular 

 hemispherical form, and become a cumulus. It 

 comprehends what we usually call fogs and 

 mists, which in fine summer evenings are seen to 

 ascend in spreading sheets from vallies, lakes, 

 and fields. And which in autumn and winter 

 sometimes continue throughout the day as dense 



* This cloud is also called Evencloud, and by the Germans 

 Abendwolke, thus in the old popular ballad : 

 Morgen f iirht die junge Braut 



Heute zum Altare, 

 Eh die Abendwolke thaut, 

 Kuht sie auf der Bahre. 



