PROGNOSTICS CONTINUED. 175 



Avind falls, but the rain continues, it is likely to 

 ram twelve hours or more; and does usually 

 rain till a strong north wind clears the ajr : 

 these long rains seldom hold above twelve hours, 

 or happen above once si-year. " In an inland 

 country/' says Mr. Mills, " it may not rain for 

 more than twelve hours successive! v ; but I 

 doubt this will not hold as a general rule, either 

 of its duration or frequency, in all places; for 

 near the sea rains happen often whicii last a 

 whole day. 



13th Uule. If it begins to rain an hour or 

 two before sun- rising, it is likely to be fair be- 

 fore noon, and to continue so that day : but if 

 the rain begins an hour or two after sun-rising, 

 it is likely to rain all that day, except the rain- 

 bow be seen before it rains. 



Mr. Worlidge's signs of rain are the following* 



" The audibility of sound are certain prognos- 

 tics of the temper of the air in a stiil evening ; 

 for if the air is replete with moisture over us, it 

 depresses sounds, so that t ;ev become audible 

 to a greater distance than when the air is free 

 from such moisture and vapours. From whence 

 you rnay conclude, mat in such nights, or other 

 times, when you hear the tound of bells, noise 

 of water, beasts, birds, or any other souncis or 

 noises, more plainly than at other times, the air 

 is inclinable to rain, which commonly succeeds. 



" If the earth, or any moist or fenny placts, 

 yield any extraordinary scents or smells, it pre- 



sages ram 



If dews lie long in the morning on the grass, 

 &c.. it signifies fair weather , but it they.^ise or 



93 



