CHAP, 4. 2. OF PROGNOSTICKS. 141 



SECTION II. 



Of Prognosticks of Weather taken from the 

 Observance of Plants and Flowers, &p. 



IN the oeconomy of nature we find that 

 plants, like animals, adapt their motions to 

 their wants : some expand their flowers to the 

 sun, and close them at eventide ; others expand 

 their flowers in the evening, open before Rain, 

 or perform various other functions, the result 

 of their particular natures, and to which the 

 varying states of the atmosphere are specific 

 stimuli. From an accurate and constant ob- 

 servance of these, many prognosticks of the 

 ensuing weather have been deduced ; of which 

 I insert the following, rather on account of 

 their popularity, than because I have noticed 

 many of them myself. 



Chickweed has been said to be an excellent 

 weatherguide : when the flower expands freely, 

 no Rain will fall for many hours; if it so 

 continue open, no Rain for a long time need 

 be feared. In showery days the flower appears 

 half concealed, and this state may be regarded 

 as indicative of showery weather; when it is 

 entirely shut we may expect a rainy day. 



