as shown by Animals, Insects, and Plants. 343 
we regard it as a sure indication of a rain to observe them 
moving towards an exposed situation. The Helices appressa, 
tridentata, falla, and paliata, indicate the weather not only 
by exuding fluids, but by the colour of the animal. After a 
rain, the animal has a very dark appearance, but it grows of 
a bright colour as the water is expended, while just before 
the rain, it is of a yellowish-white colour. Also, just before 
a rain, strie are observed to appear from the point of the 
head to the jointure of the shell. The superior tentacula 
‘are striated, and the sides are covered with tubercles. These 
helices move at the rate of a mile in fourteen days and six- 
teen hours. If they are observed ascending the cliff, it is a 
sure indication of a rain. They live in the cavities in the 
side of cliffs. The Helia hirsuta is of a black colour after a 
rain, but before, it is of a brown, tinged with blue around 
the edges of the animal. The tentacula are marked by 
_ eross striz, and there is also to be seen, a few days before 
the rain, an indentation, which grows deeper as the rain 
approaches; this helix also exudes fluids, but not with the 
changes of colour of those before-mentioned. 
We can also foretell a change of weather by the wasps 
and other insects. 
The leaves of trees are even good barometers; most of 
them for a short, light rain, will turn up so as to receive 
their fill of water; but, for a long rain, they are doubled, 
so as to conduct the water-away. The Rana, Bufo, and 
Hyla, are also sure indicators of rain; for, as they do not 
drink water, but absorb it into their bodies, they are sure to 
be found out at the time they expect rain. 
The Locusta and Gryllus are also good indicators of a 
storm. A few hours before the rain, they are to be found 
under the leaves of trees, and in the hollow trunks. We 
have many times found them thus, but we have never known 
the instinct of these little fellows to lead them to unnecessary 
caution. 
