BOOK XVIII. Lxxxii. 355-Lxxxv. 359 



If a number of clouds spread like fleeces of wool in 

 thc east, they ^vill presage rain lasting three days. 

 When clouds settle down on the tops of the mountains, 

 the weather will be stormy ; but if the tops become 

 clear, it will turn fine. When there is heavy white 

 cloud, a hailstorm, a ' white storm ' as it is called, 

 V ill be iniminent. A patch of cloud however small 

 seen in a fine sky will give a storm of wind. 



LXXXIII. Mists coming do\m from the mountains 

 or falling from the sky or settling in the valleys will 

 promise fine weather. 



LXXXI\\ Next after these, signs are given by weather 

 fires on the earth. W^hen they are pallid and crack- ',1^;^' '" "" 

 ling they are perceived as messengers of storms ; also 

 it is a sign of rain if fungus forms in lamps, and if the 

 flame is spiral and flickering. When the hghts go out 

 of themselves or are hard to hght , they announce wind ; 

 aiid so do sparks piUng up on the top of a copper pot 

 hanging over the fire, or Hve coal sticking to saucepans 

 when you take them off" the fire,or if when the fire is 

 banked up it sends out a scattering of ashes or emits 

 a spark, or if cinders on the hearth cake together and 

 if a coal fire glows with extreme brilliance. 



LXXXV. Water also gives signs. If when the sea Weather 

 is calm the water in a harbour sways abuut or makes "^/^g^' 

 a splashing noise of its own, it foretells wind, and if 

 it does so in winter, rain as well ; if the coasts and 

 shores re-echo during a calm, they foretell a severe 

 storm, as also do noises from the sea itself in a calm, 

 or scattered flakes of foam, or bubbles on the water. 

 Jelly-fish on the surface of the sea portend several ix. IM. 

 days' storm. Often also the sea svvells in silence, and 

 blown up in unusually high waves confesses that the 

 winds are now inside it. 



413 



