CONCERNING WEATHER SIGNS, 48-51 



exceedingly fine, generally the spring is cold : if the 

 spring is late and cold, the summer goes on late and 

 the l autumn is usually scorching hot. 



When the kermes-oak 2 fruits exceedingly well, it 

 generally indicates a severe winter, and sometimes 

 they say that this sign is followed by droughts. If 

 one takes a mole 3 and puts it in a tub, the bottom 4 

 of which has been covered with clay, it indicates 

 by the sounds which it utters wind or fine weather. 

 There is also the sign of storm which is popularly 

 recognized everywhere, namely when mice fight for 

 the possession of chaff and carry it about. 



The siym of fair weather. 



IV. The following are signs of fair weather. 5 If 

 the sun rises brilliant but without scorching heat 

 and without showing any special sign in his orb, it 

 indicates fair weather. The same may be said of 

 the moon when it is full. If in winter that part of 

 the sky into which the sun goes down is clear, it is a 

 sign of fair weather, unless on the preceding days 

 that part has not been clear, though it was clear 

 above the horizon : in that case the prospect is 

 uncertain. It is also a sign of fair weather, if during 

 stormy conditions that part of the sky into which 

 the sun sets is clear ; and also if, in winter at the 

 time of setting, the sun has a pale colour. 



Again, it indicates fair weather if the outline of 

 the moon on the third day is bright ; also if the 

 ' Ass's 6 Manger ' is clear and bright. If the halo 7 

 forms and disappears evenly, it is a sign of fair 



tration, which is the more convincing of the creatures 

 suggested. 5 Plin. 18. 342. 6 cf. 23, 43. 



cf. 22, 31 ; Plin. 18. 345 ; Arist. Meteor. 3. 3. 



427 



