72 INSTRUCTIONS TO MARINE METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVERS 



Stratus. — A uniform layer of cloud, resembling fog, but not rest- 

 ing on the ground (fig. 23). 



When this very low layer is broken up into irregular shreds it is 

 designated fractostratus. 



A veil of true stratus generally gives the sky a hazy appearance, 

 which is very characteristic but which, in certain cases, may cause 

 confusion with nimbostratus. When there is precipitation, the dif- 

 ference is manifest — nimbostratus gives continuous rain (sometimes 

 snow), precipitation composed of drops which may be small and 



