176 BEST'S ART OF ANGLING. 



vanish suddenly, and early in the morning, it 

 presages rain. 



" There is a small bird, of the size and nearly 

 the shape of a marten, that at certain times flies 

 very near the water, which is a most sure prog- 

 nostic of tempestuous weather ; never appearing 

 but against such weather, as hath been constantly 

 observed by the boatmen on the Severn and the 

 channel, between the Isle of Wight and the 

 main land. 



" Ducks and geese picking their wings, 

 washing themselves much, or cackling much, 

 denotes rain. 



" If after rain comes a cold wind, there will 

 te more rain." 



The nightly virgin, whilst her wheel she plies, 

 Foresees the storm impending in the skies, 

 When sparkling lamps their spluttering light advance, 

 And in their sockets oily bubbles dance. 



DRYDEN'S VIRGIL. 



MORE PROGNOSTICS FROM THE WIND. 



14th Rule. When the wind turns to north- 

 east, and it continues there two days without 

 rain, and does not turn south the third day, nor 

 rain the third day, it is likely to continue north- 

 east for eight or nine days all fair, and then to 

 come south again. 



loth Rule. If it turn again out of the south to 

 the north-east with rain, and continues in the 

 north-east two days without rain, and neither 

 turns south, nor rains the third day, it is likely 

 to continue north-east two or three months. 



The wind will finish these turns in three weeks. 



