WEATHER PROVERBS 443 



Animals 



"Gnimphie smells the weather, 

 An' griimphie sees the wun'; 

 He kens when clouds will gather, 

 An' smoor the blinkin' sun." 



This extravagant tribute to the pig as a weather prophet is typical 

 of a large number of proverbs, though, perhaps, no other animal has 

 been credited with actually seeing the wind. 



Doubtless the dampness and change in temperature that commonly 

 precede storms somewhat modify the behavior of many animals, but of 

 the numerous weather proverbs based upon their actions even the few 

 that have any truth to support them have far greater physiological than 

 meteorological interest, and consequently this is not a proper place for 

 their further discussion. 



Plants 



"Pimpernel, pimpernel, tell me true 

 Whether the weather be fine or no." 



A similar appeal might, with equally good reason, be made to the 

 dandelion, to red clover, to the silver maple, and to numerous other 

 plants, all of which commonly undergo some change, such as the closing 

 of their flowers or an alteration in the attitude of their leaves, at the 

 approach of rain. 



These phenomena, however, do not long precede the actual storm, 

 and therefore have but little warning value. They are due to such 

 things as changes in moisture, temperature and sunshine and conse- 

 quently, while inferior as useful weather signs, are the greatest help to 

 those who would understand plant physiology. 



Aches and Pains 



"As old sinners have all points 

 O' th' compass in their bones and joints." 



—Butler. 



It is well recognized, and attested to by a family of proverbs, that 

 those who are annoyed with rheumatic pains, as also the dyspeptic and 

 the neurasthenic, often are more than usually troubled by their ills at 

 the near approach of rainy and generally bad weather. It was for this 

 reason that the wise, though we may suspect not overly joyful, editor, 

 dedicated his almanac to " Torpid Liver and Inflammatory Rheumatism, 

 the most insistent weather prophets known to suffering mortals.'* 



However, such disagreeable signs are not universally available, for, 

 fortunately, there are those who, like Tam O'Shanter, " never mind the 

 storm a whistle." Therefore, while the influences of the weather and 

 its changes on our feelings are worthy of careful study by both the 



