CONCERNING WEATHER SIGNS, 3-6 



change, the clouds also change l and take a contrary 

 direction, and, as they become laden with moisture, 

 they settle down in the hollows because of their 

 weight. Wherefore good heed must be taken to 

 the local conditions of the region in which one is 

 placed. It is indeed always possible to find such an 

 observer, and the signs learnt from such persons are 

 the most trustworthy. 



Thus in some parts have been found good astro- 

 nomers : for instance, 2 Matriketas at Methymna 

 observed the solstices from Mount Lepetymnos, 

 Cleostratus 3 in Tenedos from Mount Ida, Phaeinos 

 at Athens from Mount Lycabettus : Meton, who 

 made the cycle 4 of nineteen years, was the pupil 

 of the last-named. Phaeinos was a resident alien 

 at Athens, while Meton was an Athenian. Others 

 also have made astronomical observations in like 

 manner. 



Again there are other signs which are taken from 

 domestic animals or from certain other quarters and 

 happenings. Most important of all are the 5 signs 

 taken from the sun and moon : for the moon is as 

 it were a nocturnal sun. Wherefore also the 

 meetings of the months are stormy, because the 

 moon's light fails from the fourth day from the 

 end of one month to the fourth day from the begin- 

 ning of the next : there is therefore a failure of 

 the moon corresponding to the failure of the sun. 

 Wherefore anyone who desires to forecast the 

 weather must pay especial heed to the character of 

 the risings and settings of these luminaries. 



4 Called 'the great year': cf. Aelian. V. H. 10. 7. rbv 

 TOV Irbs Seovra tlKOffiv suavruv <KVK\OV> conj. Sch. tvia.vr'bv 

 conj. W. 



6 TO. seems necessary. ? Kvpia r$. 



393 



