THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY. 



Because the bees feel instinctively that from 

 the state of the atmosphere they may wander far 

 in search of honey, without the danger of being 

 overtaken by rain. 



135. Why if people feel their corns ache, and 

 their bones rheumatic, may rain be expected ? 



Because the dampness of the atmosphere 

 affects its pressure upon the body and causes a 

 temporary disturbance of the system. All gen- 

 eral disturbances of the body manifest them- 

 selves in those parts which are in a morbid state 

 as in a corn, a rheumatic bone, or a decayed 

 tooth. 



136. Why if various flowers close may rain be 

 expected? 



Because plants are highly sensitive to atmos- 

 pheric changes, and close their petals to protect 

 their stamens. 



137. Why when moles throw up their hills may 

 rain be expect edt 



Because the moles know instinctively that on 

 the approach of wet, worms move in the ground ; 

 the moles therefore become active, and form 

 their hills. 



138. Why is a magpie, when seen alone, said to 

 foretell bad weather t 



Because magpies generally fly in company ; 

 but on the approach of wet or cold, one remains 

 in the nest to take care of the young, while the 

 other one wanders alone in search of food. 



139. Why do sea-gulls appear numerous in fine 

 weather 9 



Because the fishes swim near to the surface of 

 the sea, and the birds assemble over the sea to 



catch the fish, instead of sitting on rocks, or wad- 

 ing on the shore. 



140. Why do sea-gulls fly over the land on tfu 

 approach of stormy weather ? 



Because in stormy weather they cannot catch 

 fish ; and the earth-worms come up on the land 

 when the rain falls. 



141. Why if birds cease to sing, may wet, and 

 probably thunder, be expected? 



Because birds are depressed by an unfavorable 

 change in the atmosphere, and lose those joyful 

 spirits which give rise to their songs. 



142. Why if cattle run around in meaaows, may 

 thunder be expected ? 



Because the electrical state of the atmosphere 

 has the effect of making them feel uneasy and 

 irritable, and they chase each other about to get 

 rid of the irritability. 



143. Why if birds of passage arrive early, may 

 severe weather be expected t 



Because it shows that the indications of un- 

 favorable weather have set in, in the latitudes 

 from which the birds come, and that they have 

 taken an early flight to escape it. 



144. Why if the webs of the gossamer spider fly 

 about in the autumn, may west winds be antici- 

 pated t 



Because a west wind is a dry and dense wind, 

 and suitable to the flight ot the gossamer spider ; 

 the spider feeling instinctively the dryness of the 

 air, throws out its web, and find., it more than 

 usually buoyant upon the dense air. 



