228 On the Popular Weather Prognostics of Scotland. — 
(2.) Old sheep and ewes (less faith is placed in hogs) are said 
to eat greedily before a storm and sparingly before a thaw. When 
they leave the high grounds, and bleat much in the evening and 
during the night, severe weather is expected. In winter when 
they feed down the hill, a snow storm is looked for. When they 
feed up the burn, wet weather is near. 
(3.) Swine carry straw in their mouths, and toss about their 
bedding before a storm. 
(4.) Cats are observed to scratch the wall or a post before 
wind, and to wash their faces before a thaw. They sit with their 
backs to the fire before snow. 
(5.) A day or two before rain, moles raise more hillocks than 
usual, and it is a sign of thaw when, after a long frost, they begin 
to work again. 
(6.) Weasels, stoats, &c., seen running about in the forenoon, 
foretell rain in the after part of the day. 
(7.) Hares take to the open country before a snow storm. 
(C.) Insects, Worms, &c. 
(1.) When gnats bite keenly, and when flies keep near the 
ground, we look for wind and rain. 
(2.) Insects fly low before rain. ; 
(3.) The earthworm appearing in large numbers on the surface 
indicates rain. 
(4.) A leech in a bottle is considered a good weather prophet by 
many people. It is thought that in dry, calm weather, be it cold 
or hot, the leech will remain at the bottom; before rain or snow 
that it will cling to the side of the bottle at the top of the water; 
and that before wind it will be found in active motion. 
(5.) When the colour of frogs is observed to be dark, wet 
weather is thought to be very close. 
(6.) When the frog spawns in the middle of the water it is a 
sign of drought, and when at the side it indicates a wet summer. 
(7.) When bees fly to the hive and none leave it, rain is near. 
(D.) Sensations experienced by Man. 
(1.) Headache, toothache, pain in corns, rheumatism, neuralgic 
pains, &c., are felt by some people before change from dry to 
wet, or mild to cold. Before thunder a feeling of listlessness, 
oppression, and uneasiness, is often complained of. 
X. Unclassified Prognostics. 
(1.) An honest man and a north-west wind generally go to sleep 
together. 
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