BOOK XVIII. Lxxviii. 342-346 



or settiniT sun seem to coalesce, that nieans rain. 

 If the settin^ sun is surrounded by red clouds, these 

 guarantee fine weather the next day ; but if at sun- 

 rise the clouds are scattered some to the south and 

 sonie to the north, although the sky round the sun 

 may be fine and clear, they will nevertheless indicate 

 rain and winds, while if when the sun is rising or 

 setting its rays appear shortened. that will be a sign 

 of rain. If at sunset it rains or the sun's rays attract 

 cloud towai*ds them, they will denote stormy weather 

 for the following day. When at sunrise the rays do 

 not shoot out with great brilliance, although the sun 

 is not surrounded by clouds, they will portend rain. 

 If before simrise clouds form in masses, they will fore- 

 tell rough stormy weather, but if they are driven 

 away from the east and go away westward, fine 

 weather. If clouds form a ring round the sun, tlie 

 less hght they leave the more stormy will be the 

 weather, but if even a double ring of cloud is formed, 

 the storm will be all the more violent ; and if this 

 occurs at sunrise or sunset, so that the clouds turn 

 red, that will be a sign of a very bad storm indeed. 

 If the clouds do not surround the sun but hang over 

 it they will presage wind in the quarter they come 

 from, and if they are from the south, rain as w^ell. 

 If the rising sun is surrounded with a ring, wind is to 

 be expected in any quarter in which the ring breaks ; 

 but if the whole of it slips away equally, it will give 

 fine weather. If the sun when rising stretches out 

 its rays a long w-ay through the clouds and the middle 

 of its disk is free of cloud, it will be a sign of rain ; 

 if the sun's rays become visible before it rises this 

 will mean rain and wind ; if the setting sun has a 

 white ring round it, it means a slight storm in the 



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