46 INTRODUCTION. 



fcarce any variation at all. A thick dark (Ivy, lading 

 for forne time without fun or rain, generally becomes 

 fair, then foul. A change in the warmth of the wea- 

 ther is generally followed by a change in the wind. 



Moft vegetables expand their flowers and down in 

 funfliiny weather, and towards the evening and 

 againft rain clofe them again, efpecially at the be- 

 ginning of their flowering. This is vifible enough 

 in the down of the dandelion and other downs, and 

 eminently in the flowers of pimpernel. The rule is, if 

 the flowers be clofe flrut up, it betokens rain, and 

 if they be fpread abroad, fair weather. The (lalks of 

 the trefoil fwell againft rain, and the like may be ob- 

 ferved, though not fo fenfibly, in the ftalks of moft 

 other plants. 



When a lowering rednefs is fpread far upwards from 

 the horizon, either in the morning or in the evening, 

 it is generally fucceeded by rain or wind, and fome- 

 times by both. When black clouds move contrary to 

 the wdnd, it is likely the wind will foon change, and 

 rain follow. When the clouds fcatter and difappear, 

 or diflblve In the air, it is a fign of fair weather. The 

 rainbow in the clouds prognofticates fhowery fqually 

 weather. Black clouds, colieding and augmenting 

 in the air under other clouds, portend wind and rain. 

 When the fun fets in a bank of black w^atery-like 

 clouds, it augurs foul weather. When the rays of 

 the fun, breaking through the clouds, are vifible 

 in the air, and the air feems filled with vapours, 

 it betokens rain and fhowery w^eather. When 

 the flvy is overcaft with lofty light clouds which ap- 

 pear 



