CHAP. 4. 1. OP PROGNOSTICKS. 131 



this subject which it certainly deserves. It is 

 difficult, perhaps, to conceive the manner in 

 which animals become sensible of the approach 

 of particular kinds of weather. We cannot 

 suppose that they are forewarned of it by the 

 appearances of the sky, at least in many cases ; 

 for some animals express signs of uneasiness 

 previous to an alteration of the weather, long 

 before there are any visible signs of change, 

 and often when they have no opportunity of 

 observing what is going on abroad. Dogs, for 

 instance, closely confined in a room, frequently 

 become very drowsy and stupid before Rain. 

 They often sleep all day before the fire, and are 

 almost incapable of being roused.* The same, 

 in a less degree, is observable in Cats. And a 

 Leech, confined in a glass of water, has been 

 found, by its rapid motions, or its quiescence, 

 to indicate wet or fair weather. From an 

 examination of the structure of the brain of 

 animals, they do not appear organized to have 

 any distinct notions of causation ; but they can 

 observe that two particular things are conjoined, 

 or that they follow one another; and thus from 



* On such occasions, I have sometimes found their ears 

 considerably inflamed, a common symptom of illhealth in 

 many animals. 



K 2 



