LIGHTNING 
21 I 
We mortals, no doubt, have our inexplicable forebodinf's or in- 
stinctive feelings in many matters ; they may mislead or guide 
us aright. On the other hand, birds and beasts have instincts 
and feelings which never mislead them, and in this respect they 
are superior to mortals. Even science in meteorological observa- 
tions and forecasts errs as often as not, and it is extremely 
probable that signs which may be found in the animal world, 
if we only studied them more, will give the truest indications of 
the weather. 
Virgil says that sea-gulls or divers Hying swiftly from the sea 
and screaming, coots sporting on the land, and herons Hying 
high above the clouds, will in each case indicate a coming wind. 
Showers are foretold by the habits of many mammals, birds, and 
insects. The following are e.xamples ; — Cranes quickly descend 
from their higher Hights : cattle with extended nostrils snifl' the 
air : swallows Hy low over the waters, because the heavier 
atmosphere forces the insects on which they feed to the lower 
strata of air : frogs croak more loudly from their watery retreats : 
ants carry their eggs quickly to their innermost abodes : ravens 
on their return from their feeding grounds beat the air with 
their wings, make noises, and Hock together : various sea fowls 
dip and sport in the water with increased energy : the crows 
utter harsh notes ; and so on. If sunshine and fine weather are 
to follow after rain and to continue, ^ irgil remarks that the 
kingfishers will cease stretching their wings to sun themselves 
on the shore : the swine will desist from tossing straws about ; 
owls on the setting of the sun will hoot more loudly : large birds 
will chase the smaller fry : the sea eagle will fly aloft in the 
clear air ; and rooks will caw joyously about their nests. When 
rain or an east wind threatens, bees are observed to remain near 
their hives. Many writers, indeed, refer to this indisposition of 
bees to travel when rain threatens. I think the earliest mention 
of meteorological observers may be found in the following lines 
from the Georgies of \’irgil, referring to bees : — 
Sunt, quibus ad portas cecidit custodia sorti ; 
, Inque viceni speculantur aquas et nubila ccrli. 
F. Coleman, B.A. 
LIGHTNING.— II. 
{Continued from vol. ix., p. 230.) 
|HE pleasant and interesting comments in the January 
I number of Nature Notes on my former paper on 
I lightning lead me to make a few further remarks on 
this subject. But before attempting a scientific explana- 
tion I must premise that I am just now located 1,200 feet upon 
Dartmoor, without books of reference, so that what I shall say 
will be very much open to criticism. 
