270 TRIBES AND DIALECTS OF CONNECTICUT 



lETH. ANS. 43 



Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) (European) leaves steeped in molasses 

 make a fine cough remedy. 



A tea made by pouring hot water over a hen's gizzard which has 

 been previously dried is a remedy for indigestion. 



\Vhite clover {TrifoUum repens) tea is excellent for coughs and colds. 



A tea made by steeping the twigs of the wild plum (Prunus amer- 

 icana) is a remedy for asthma. 



Weather Lore 



The chirping of the tree frog (Hyla) is a sign of damp weather. 

 (Also Powhatan, Rappahannock, and Iroquois.) 



Frogs are not killed lest excessive rain follow. (Also Iroquois.') 



The whistling of the quail, "Bob White," means "More wet." 



Webs on the grass m the early morning are a sign of intense heat 

 at midday. 



The locust also tells of very warm weather. Six weeks from the 

 time when the locust is first heard there will 1)0 frost. 



If the sky is unusually red at sunrise it will rain before the day 

 is over. 



Flocks of wild geese are always carefully observed. When they 

 fly north the weather changes and the spring season is ushered in; 

 when they fly south winter is fast approaching. If the geese fly low 

 and appear to be disturbed it is wise to prepare for a storm; if they 

 i\y high fair weather will prevail. 



If the smoke from a fire rises during a storm the rain will soon 

 cease to fall; if it hovers near the ground in a cloud the weather 

 will continue to be unsettled. 



When the foliage is unusually thick and crops are abundant, 

 especially wild berries, fruits and nuts, a long, cold winter may be 

 expected. 



If chickens pick aroimd the yard while it is rainin_g y^ou may be 

 assured that it will continue to rain for sometime. It is also said 

 that chickens "oil themselves" by picking around their wings and 

 backs just before a storm. When a rooster crows during a storm he 

 says: "Going to clear off to-day." 



Crowing before midnight indicates a change in the weather. 



Crowing on the doorstep brings a visitor. 



If the sun shines when it is raining the devil (djiiiai) is whipping 

 his wife. 



If the sun shines when it is snowing the devil (dji'bai) is plucking 

 his geese. 



Dandelions blooming late in the season are a sign of an open winter. 



^ Respect for the frog is explained in some general Algonkian beliefs concerned with childbirth as well 

 as rain. The topic deserves attention. 



