THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY. 



501 



Because, baring no eyelido (such organs being 

 unnecessary to keep their eyes moist), they still 

 need the power of freeing their eyes from the 

 contact of foreign matters ; and this is secured 

 to them by the power they have of giving the 

 eye-ball a very rapid motion, which causes 

 reaction in the fluid surrounding it, and sweeps 

 the surface. 



This motion may frequently be teen in the eye* of fob**, 

 in glass globes. 



123. Why are the tails of fishes to much larger 

 than their fins t 



Because their tails are their chief instrument! 

 of motion, while their fins are employed simply 

 to direct their progress, and steady their move- 

 ments. 



WEATHER CHANGES 



AS INDICATED BY ANIMALS. 



The observation of the changing phenomena which attend the various states of the weather is a very interesting study, 

 though no general rules can be laid down that can be relied upon, because there are modifying circumstances which 

 influence the weather in various localities and climates. To observe weather indications accurately, no phenomenon 

 should be taken alone, but several should be regarded together. The character and the duration of the weather of the 

 preceding days, the direction of the wind, the forms of the clouds, the indications of the barometer, the rise or fall of 

 the thermometer, ami the instinctive forewarnings of birds, beasts, insects and flowers, should all be taken into account 

 Although no direct material advantages attend such a study, it induces a habit of observation, and develops the inductive 

 faculty of the mind, which, when applied to more significant things, may trace important effects to their greater causes. 



1 24. Why when swallows fly low may wet weather 

 ye expected 9 



Because the insects which the swallows pursue 

 in their flight are flying low, to escape the cold- 

 ness of the upper regions of the atmosphere. 



125. Why do ducks and geese go to the water, 

 and dash it over their backs, on the approach of 

 rain t 



Because by wetting the outer coat of their 

 feathers befor* the rain falls, by sudden dashes 

 of water over the surface, they prevent the drops 

 of rain from penetrating to their bodies through 

 the open and dry feathers. 



1 26. Why do horses and cattle stretch out their 

 tucks and snujf the air on the approach of rain t 



Because they smell the fragrant perfume which 

 is diffused in the air by its increasing moistness. 



127. Why may change of weather be anticipated 

 when domestic animals are restless t 



Because their skins are exceedingly sensitive 

 to atmospheric influences, and they are oppressed 

 and irritated by the changing condition of the 

 atmosphere. 



128. Why may fine weather be expected when 

 spiders are seen busily constructing their webs t 



Because those insects are highly sensitive to 

 the state of the atmosphere, and when it is setting 

 fine they build their webs, because they know 

 instinctively that flies will be abroad. 



129. Why is wet weather to be expected when 

 spiders hide t 



Because it shows that they are aware that the 

 state ot the atmosphere does not favor the flight 

 of insects. 



1 30. Why tf gnats fly in large numbers may fine 

 weather be expected? 



Because it shows that they feel the state of the 

 atmosphere to be favorable, which induces them 

 all to leave their places of shelter. 



131. Why if owls scream during foul weather \ 

 will it change to fine 9 



Because the birds are pleasurably excited by a 

 favorable change in the atmosphere. 



132. Why is it said that the moping of the owl 

 foretells death 9 



Because owls scream when the weather is on 

 the change ; and when a patient is lingering on a 

 'death-bed, the alteration in the state of the 

 atmosphere frequently induces death, because 

 the faint and expiring flame of life has not 

 strength enough to adapt itself to the change. 



133. Why may wet weather be expected when 

 spiders break off their webs, and remove them 9 



Because the insects, anticipating the approach 

 of rain, remove their webs for preservation. 



134. Why may we expect a continuance of fit* 

 weather when bees wander far from their hive' ' 



