WEATHER. 



The dark and lovely gentianella opens its 

 blue eyes to greet the midday sun, but closes 

 its petals against the shower. 



The germander speedwell (Veronica chamce- 

 rfn/s), 5,0 universal a favourite in every hedge- 

 row, closes its blue corolla before rain comes 

 on, opening again when it ceases. The red 

 campion (Lychnis iliuma) uncloses its flowers 

 in the morning. The flowers of the white cam- 

 pion (Lychnis vespertina) open and expand 

 themselves towards the approach of night. 

 The wood sorrel (Oxalis aceto&ella, "la Petite 

 Oseille," or Suselle, of the French), an unobtru- 

 sive, elegant little inhabitant of the moist, 

 shaded bank, as soon as night approaches, as it 

 is of too delicate a structure to bear the storm, 

 closes up its curious triple leaves, hanging its 

 flowers towards the earth, thus preserving the 

 more tender parts from injury; but as soon as 

 the morning sun arises, these expand and re- 

 gain their beauty. Most of the Hieraciums, 

 or hawkweed tribe, also open their flowers 

 with the morning light, going to sleep again in 

 the afternoon. The clear, bright, and gay 

 flowers of the succory (Cychoriumintybus') fore- 

 tell the commencement of the daylight. Another 

 of the components of Flora's clock which de- 

 serves a passing word, is the common daisy 

 (Bellis perennis), opening at sunrise, and clos- 

 ing its flowers at sunset: hence by Chaucer 

 called the "Eie of Day." The great white ox- 

 eye (Chrysfintheinitni Intrant hemum), foretelling 

 the coming storm, closes its flowers. The 

 flowers of the alpine whitlow grass (Dralm /- 

 />ina), the bastard feverfew, the winter green 

 !ix Kuropeeii), all hang down in the night 

 as if the plants were asleep, lest rain or the 

 moist air should injure the fertilizing pollen. 

 The common nipplewort (L'if>*n>in rf///w//is), 

 that lovely gem, the white water-lily (Nyin/>htea 

 alba, " the naiad of the river,") and several of 

 the diadelphous tribe of plants, in serene, calm 

 weather expand their leaves in the day-time, 

 and contract them during night. 



jlnininh. Among quadrupeds the following 

 are believed to indicate, by their restlessness 

 and peculiar actions, a foreknowledge of ap- 

 proaching changes of weather. When horses 

 stretch forth their necks, neigh much, snuff the 

 air with distended nostrils, and assemble in the 

 corner of a field with their heads to leeward, 

 rain may be expected. 



Sheep are seen running to and fro, jumping 

 from the ground, and in their gambols appa- 

 rently fighting, previously to a change of wea- 

 ther. Fine weather may be expected to con- 

 tinue when cattle lie in the open field or in the 

 courts instead of the sheds; when sheep take 

 up their lair for the night on the brow of a 

 knoll ; when pigs lie down for the night with- 

 out covering themselves up in litter. Bad wea- 

 ther is said to be prognosticated when asses 

 hans: their ears forward, or rub themselves 

 against walls or trees. Swine also become un- 

 easy, restless, grunting and squealing loudly, 

 and return to their sties. Before rain dogs are 

 apt to grow very sleepy and dull, and to lie all 

 day before the fire, showing a reluctance to 

 food, except grass. When cats lose their viva- 

 city, remaining within doors, wet or windy 

 v ather may be expected. Finally, when rats 

 140 



WEATHER. 



and mice are more than usually restles j, for- 

 saking the fields and ditches, approaching rain 

 may be anticipated. 



Fallow deer, and many other animals, be- 

 coming restless from the uneasiness they feel 

 owing to the altered condition of the atmo- 

 sphere, prognosticate the approach of rain. If 

 frogs croak more than usual if toads issue 

 from their retreats in great numbers if earth- 

 worms come forth from their holes if moles 

 throw up the soil more than usual if pigs 

 shake and spoil the stalks of the corn if oxen 

 lick their forefeet all these signs are said to 

 indicate rain. 



It may be remarked that, in summer, when 

 sheep rise early in the morning, it is a sure 

 sign of either rain or a very hot day; and that 

 in all seasons when they jump and play about 

 it is a sign of rain or wind (but generally both) 

 in the summer, and very stormy weather in the 

 winter. 



In winter, when the sheep lie under a hedge, 

 and seem loth to go off to pasture, and bleat, it 

 is considered a sign of a storm. 



When rabbits come out to feed early in the 

 evening, it is a sign of rain in the night in sum- 

 mer, and of either rain or snow in winter; and 

 when it is likely to be a bard night, they will be 

 apt to return to their burrows before it is dark. 



Next, with respect to birds: there is an old 

 saying that "when swans fly it is a sign of 

 rough weather," and the correctness of this 

 saying would appear to be proved. A late 

 writer states that he had invariably found that 

 when the swan flies any distance against the 

 wind, however fine the weather may be at the 

 time, so sure will a wind, almost amounting to 

 a hurricane, arise within 24 and generally 12 

 hours after the bird has taken flight. The 

 early appearance of woodcocks, snipes, field- 

 fares, and other birds of passage, &c., are prog- 

 nostics of severe winters. When owls hoot 

 and screech during bad weather, it is a sign of 

 coming fine weather. The missletoe thrush 

 (Turdus viscivorus) frequently sings particularly 

 long and loud before rain, and sometimes even 

 during severe storms: hence it is termed the 

 "storm-cock." The blue macaw is said to be 

 a true indicator of the changes of the weather. 

 Dr. Thornton is stated to have had one some 

 years ago whose blue feathers assumed a 

 greenish hue in rainy weather, or gray in clear 

 weather, if likely to change for wet. 



When cranes fly exceedingly high, in silence, 

 and ranged in order, it is said to indicate fine 

 weather; but if their flight is in disorder, and 

 they speedily return with cries, it foretells wind. 

 If fowls roll themselves in the sand more than 

 usual, it denotes rain; also when the cocks 

 crow in the evening, or at unusual hours. 

 When peacocks cry at night, rain may shortly 

 be expected. When peacocks roost on the tops 

 of houses, when the raven sails round and 

 round high up in the air, and when the song- 

 birds carol late in the evening, the weather will 

 continue fair. 



The croaking of crows is said to indicate fiuo 

 weather. When ducks and geese fly backwards 

 and forwards, and frequently plunge into the 

 water, or send forth cries ; or when pigeons 

 return slowly to their houses, the probability 



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