252 OF METEOROLOGICAL CHAP. 10. 



evil or of good. Many of these superstitions 

 originated in the observance of facts, ascribable 

 to atmospheric influence.* Thus, certain birds 

 being affected by peculiarities of the air, pre- 

 vious to Thunderstorms, or other terrible 

 events, and showing signs of their affections by 

 particular habits, were found to be foreboders 

 of tempests, hurricanes, and other dangerous 

 atmospheric commotions ; and they were sub- 

 sequently considered as evil omens in general, 

 gaining, as it were, an ill name by their utility 

 as monitors. So the Crow, garrulous before 

 stormy weather, was afterwards regarded as a 

 predictor of general misfortune. Many animals 

 too were considered by the ancients as influenced 

 by human prayers and supplications.f In this 

 manner the observation of many real facts laid 

 the foundation for superstitions, which terrified 

 the ignorant, and which the designing made 



* Some observations on the physicnl origin of such super- 

 stitions may be found in Cicero's work on Divinity- 

 Ego quae timebo, 

 Providus auspex 



Antequam stantes repetat paludes, 

 Imbrium divina avis inminentum, 

 Oscinem corvum prece suscitabo, 



Solis ab ortu. Horaliu.s 



