OUT IN THE RAIN 283 



Study 41. Out in the Rain 



This is a study for the day when raincoats and rubbers 

 and umbrellas have to be taken afield, and when the coming 

 on of a heavy shower puts an end to other work. Then, 

 instead of fleeing indoors, it will be well to stay out and see 

 some of the interesting things that go on in the rain. 



The program of work for the day of rain will vary with 

 time and circumstances. Therefore, we shall have to be 

 content with a very few general suggestions. 



First, before the storm breaks, during the lull when the 

 "thunderheads" are mounting the sky, it will be a good time 

 to observe the increased activity of certain animals, the 

 preparatory movements of certain flowers, the interesting 

 behavior of the barnyard fowls, and, above all, to listen to 

 the anticipatory chorus of frogs and tree-toads, and birds 

 and crickets and other animals that can not keep still. 



Then, when the rains comes, the water-shedding power of 

 different kinds of foliage may readily be tested, if members 

 of the class will step under trees of different kinds and wait, 

 with raised umbrellas, and note how long it takes for the rain- 

 drops filtering through the foliage to come through in suf- 

 ficient numbers to make a continuous patter, with no individual 

 drops distinguishable. One may test the way in which any 

 tree standing in the open disposes of the water that falls 

 upon it, by walking under it over all the area it covers and 

 listening to the sounds of the drops falling about his head, on 

 the stretched umbrella. 



When things are soaked with rain and the water is gather- 

 ing in rills, there are many things that may then be observed 

 with unusual advantage. The clouding of the streams, 

 with inflowing silt will be very obvious. The burden the 

 streams are carrying may be easily demonstrated. It may 

 be tested by dipping a glass of running water and letting the 

 water settle to see the sediment; by placing one's fingers 



