THE NATURAL HISPORY OF CIOUDS. ^J 



with each other, have often only the common resemblances 

 which exist aujong trees, hills, and lakes, taken generally. 



There are three simple and distinct modifications, which 

 are thus named and deiined, 



1. Cirrus, Def. Nubes cirrifprmis tenuissima, quae un- Cirrus, 

 clique crescat. 



The Cirrus. A cloud resembling a lock of hair, or a fea- 

 ther. Parallel flexuous, or diverging fibres, unlimited in 

 the direction of their increase. 



2. Cumulus. Def, Nubes densa cumulnta, sursura cres- Cumulus. 

 cens. 



The Cumulus. A cloud which i acreages from above in 

 dense, convex, or conical heaps. 



3. Stratus. Def. Nubes strata, aquae modo expansa, de- Stratus, 

 •rsum crescens. 



The Stratus. An extended, continuous, level sheet of 

 cloud, increasing from beneath. 



There are two modifications, which appear to be of an in- 

 termediate nature ; these are : 



4. Cirro-cumulus. Def. Nubeculffi subrotundae connexae Cirro-cumu- 

 vel ordinate positae. '?** 



The Cirro-Cumulus. A connected system of small round- 

 ish clouds, placed in close order, or contact. 



5. Cirro-stratus. Def. Nubes extenuata, sub-concava Cirro-stratuSi 

 vel undulata. Nubeculae hujusmodi appositae. 



The Cirro-stratus. A horizontal or slightly inclined sheet, 

 attenuated at its circumference, concave downward, or undu- 

 lated. Groups or patches having these characters. 



Lastly, there are two modifications, which exhibit a com- 

 pound structure, viz. 



6. Cumulo-stratus. Def. Nubes densa, quoe basi cu- CuiTn»lo-»tra- 

 mull structuram patentera cirro-strati, ye\ cirro-cumuli su»^"^* 

 perdat. 



The Cumulo-stratus. A cloud in which the structure of 

 the cumulus is mixed with thatof the cirro-stratus, or cirro- 

 cumulus. The cumulus flattened at top, and overhanging 

 its base. 



7. Nimbus, Def. Nubes densa, supra patens et cirrifor- Nimbys, 

 mis, infra if) phiviam abiens. 



The 



