CONCERNING WEATHER SIGNS, 54-56 



When sheep begin to breed late, it is a sign which 

 fulfils itself in fair weather. So is it when an ox 

 lies x on his left side, and also when a dog does the 

 same : if they lie on the right side, it indicates 

 storm. The appearance of a number of cicadas in- 

 dicates that the season will be unhealthy. If a lamp 

 burns quietly during a storm, it indicates fair weather. 

 So also if it has on the surface an appearance like 

 shining millet-seeds : 2 also if a bright line surrounds 

 the lamp -nozzle. 



The fruiting of the mastich 3 gives signs as to the 

 seasons of sowing : 4 it takes place at three several 

 periods, which indicate respectively the time for the 

 first the second and the third sowing : and according 

 as one or other of these fruiting-times turns out 5 

 best and produces the most abundant fruit, so too 

 will be the success of the corresponding time of 

 sowing. 



Miscellaneous signs. 



The following signs are said to affect either the 

 whole year or whole periods 6 of it. If at the be- 

 ginning of winter there is dull weather followed by 

 heat, and these conditions are dispersed by wind 

 without rain, it indicates that towards the spring 

 there will be hail. Again, if after the spring equinox 

 mists come down, it is an indication of breezes and 

 winds by the seventh month, reckoning inclusively. 

 Those mists which come down when the moon is in 

 its first quarter indicate breezes for that period, 

 those which come down when the^ moon is in its 

 third quarter indicate rain. And the more mists 



4 cf. H.P. 7. 1. 1 foil. 



5 l K paivv I conj.: cf, H.P. 7. 13. 6; K\lvy MSS. 



6 cf. 6. ' 



43* 



