WEATHER SIGNS. . 67 



metrical phenomenon ; and a similarly increased evapo- 

 ration of waters from every existing source may be one 

 important cause of the rain or snow that follows. 

 Whatever tlie state of the atmosphere may be that 

 causes this more rapid evaporation, it is "evident that if 

 it be universal, it must be followed by an extraordinary 

 accumulation of moisture which, as soon as an oppo- 

 site barometrical state of the atmosphere ensues, must 

 generate clouds and rain. 



While from these Itumble sources the atmosphere is 

 gathering a tribute of moisture, which tnust soon be 

 restored to some part of the earth, the aspects of nature 

 do not remain unchanged. These aspects vary with 

 the season of the year, and also with the prevailing 

 habit of the weather during that period, whether wet or 

 dry, cold or hot. When our attention is attracted 

 within doors to the more rapidly evaporating water, the 

 weaker draught in the chimney, the peculiar flickering 

 of the blaze of the lamp, or to any other indoor signals, 

 we should probably, on looking out of doors, find the 

 aspect of the heavens assuming a change. If the sky 

 has been clear, some beautiful collections of cirrus will 

 be seen assembling in the upper heavens, with their 

 minute fibres spread out like electrified down. These 

 fleecy clouds are constantly augmenting, and generally 

 observe a particular direction in their radiations, corre- 

 sponding not always with the direction of the wind, 

 but probably with some current of electricity in the 

 region where they lie. 



When these gossamer clouds have become very gen- 

 erally difi'used, and have arranged themselves in many 

 beautiful configurations, they will soon begin to suffer a 

 metamorphosis. The straight diverging fibres that re- 

 sembled hairs or the feathery portion of a quill, arranged 



