FORECASTING THE WEATHER 85 



questioned, replied : " Lol hat angst, weiss nid vor 

 was." (Lol is frightened ; doesn't know at what.) It 

 was quite useless trying to get further particulars as to 

 his fears, for an earthquake was an entirely new ex- 

 perience to him ; at a repetition of the event his remarks 

 would, doubtless, be of greater interest and importance. 

 Now as the weather is a matter that concerns animals, 

 and with which they are also familiar, I determined 

 to see how far I could get with Lola on this subject. 

 So I taught her as follows : 



For sun = s. 

 For rain = r. 

 For some rain = b (ein Bischen = a little). 



and to test her in this matter, I questioned her as to 

 the last few days here she answered correctly. Then 

 I began : 



" What about to-day ? " Lola replied : " b " 

 ( = it is raining a little). I now felt sufficiently 

 encouraged to ask her concerning the days ahead, and 

 received the following answers : 



For 3 May = s (sun). 



For 4 May = s (sun). 



For 5 May = b (some rain). 



For 6 May = nein (no = don't know). 



I told these forecastings of Lola's to several friends 

 who, like myself, were watching the weather with 

 anxiety. Rightly enough ! the sun shone on 3 May ; 

 on that very day therefore I continued putting my 

 questions and Lola again prophesied : 



For 6 May = r (rain). 



For 7 May = b (a little rain). 



