156 Prognostics of the Weather. 



that is a sure sign of fair weather : but if the earth con- 

 tinues moist, and water stands in shallow places, no trust 

 should be put in the clearest sky, for in this case it is de- 

 ceitful. 



More Signs from Animals. 



BEFORE rain, fleas bite more than common ; spiders crawl ; 

 bees stir not far from their hives. On the contrary, spiders' 

 webs in the air, or on the grass, or trees, foretell very fair 

 and hot weather ; so do bees, when they fly far from their 

 hives, and come late home ; and likewise a more than usual 

 appearance of glow-worms by night. If gnats play up and 

 down in the open air, near sunset, they presage heat, if in 

 the shade, warm and mild showers ; but if they join in 

 biting those that pass by them, cold weather, and much 

 rain may be expected. Larks rising very high, and con- 

 tinuing to sing for a long time, and kites flying aloft, are 

 signs of fair and dry weather. In men, frequently aches, 

 wounds, and corns are more troublesome, either towards 

 rain, or towards frost. 



Virgil's beautiful description of this sense in animals is 

 thus rendered by Mr. Dryden : 



" Wet weather seldom hurts the most unwise ; 

 So plain the signs, such prophets are the skies; 

 The wary crane foresees it first, and sails 

 Above the storm, and leaves the hollow vales ; 

 The cow looks up, and from afar can find 

 The change of heaven, and snuffs it in the wind ; 

 The swallow skims the river's wat'ry face; 

 The frogs renew the croaks of their loquacious race ; 

 The careful ant her secret cell forsakes, 

 And draws her eggs along the narrow tracks ; 

 Huge flocks of rising rooks forsake their food, 

 And, crying, seek the shelter of the wood ; 

 Besides, the several sorts of wat'ry fowls, 

 That swim the seas, or haunt the standing pools, 

 Then lave their backs with sprinkling dews in vain, 

 And stem the stream to meet the promised rain. 

 Then, after showers, 'tis easy to descry, 

 Returning suns, and a serener sky. 



