276 APPENDIX. 



resemblance cannot be traced upon paper, because the edges are so 

 ill-defined. It may also be called the ' Flat Cloud.' 



Nimbus is the heavy-looking, soft, shapeless cloud, from which 

 rain is falling. Whatever shape a cloud may have retained previous 

 to rain falling from it — at the moment of its change from vapour to 

 water, it softens in appearance, and becomes the ' Nimbus,' or 

 ' Rain Cloud.' 



Cumulus is the hard-edged cloud, or cloud with well-defined 

 edges ; whose resemblance can be accurately traced on paper. This 

 cloud is not, generally speaking, so large as the Stratus or Nimbus, 

 aud appears to be a compact mass of either the former or latter, or 

 of both. It may also be called the ' Heap Cloud.' 



These four classifications of clouds will not, however, suffice to 

 describe exactly the appearance of the sky at all times. More minute 

 distinctions are required, for which the following may be used : — 

 Cirro-stratus — signifying a mixture of Cirrus and Stratus. 

 Cirro-cumulus- — Cirrus and Cumulus. 



Cumulo-stratus — signifying a mixture of Cumulus and Stratus. 

 Which terms may be rendered more explanatory of the precise 

 kind of cloud, by using the augmentative termination onus, or the 

 diminutive, itus. Thus: — Cirronus, Cirritus ; C irrono- stratus ; 

 Cirrito-stratus ; Cirrono-cumulus, Cirrito- cumulus ; Stratonus, Stra- 

 titus ; Cumulonus, Cumulitus ; Cumulono-stratus, Cumulito-stratus. 

 Should these be found insufficient to convey distinct ideas of every 

 variety of clouds, the second word may be augmented or diminished, 

 thus : Cirrono-stratitus, &c. 



These terms may be abbreviated for common use by MTiting only 

 the first letters of each word ; allowing one letter to represent the 

 diminutive, two letters the ordinary, or middle degree, and three 

 letters the augmentative. As Cirrus and Cumulus begin with the 

 same letter, it will be necessary to make a distinction between them 

 by taking two, three, and four letters, respectively, of Cumulus ; 

 thus, C, Ci., Cir. ; S., St., Str. ; N., Ni, Nim. : Cu., Cum., Cumu. 

 Suppose it were desired to express Cumulito-stratoni, C.-Str. would 

 be sufficient, &c. 



