B04 
CHANGES OF THE WEATHER, 
The same great author has computed that the sun’s heat, in the 
comet of 1680, was to his heat with us at midsummer, as 28,000 to 
one ; and that the heat of the body of the comet was near 2000 times 
as great as that of red-hot iron. He also calculates, that a globe of 
red-hot iron, of the dimensions of our earth, would scarcely be cool in 
50,000 years. If then the comet be supposed to cool 100 times as 
fast as red-hot iron, yet since its heat was one thousand times greater, 
supposing it of the bigness of the earth, it would net be cool in a mil- 
lion of years. 
Changes of the Weather. 
The following curious observations are principally extracted from 
Forsters Researches about atmospheric phenomena. 
1. Rain may be expected when the swallow flies low, and skims 
backward and forward over the surface of the earth and waters, fre- 
quently dipping the tips of her wings into the latter. 
2. When bees do not range abroad as usual, but keep in or neir 
their hives, or when ducks, geese, and other water-fowl are usual y 
clamorous, we may also expect wet. 
3. Before rain, swine, as well as poultry, appear very uneasy, and 
rub in the dust. 
4. Before and during rain, clucks, geese, and other fowls, wash and 
(live in the waters more than usual. Pigeons also wash before rain ; 
and cats wash their faces ; they have been observed also before rain 
to scratch the bark of the trees. In autumn flies sting and become 
unusually troublesome, on the approach of rain. 
5. Dogs, and other domestic animals, likewise express signs of 
uneasiness, and are very sleepy and dull before rain and snow. 
Dogs are said to (lig great holes in the ground in rainy w'eather. 
6. If we happen to be abroad w hen, after long continued dry w eather, 
the sky is thickening, and rain approaching, W'e may frequently observe 
the cattle stretching out their neck, and snuffing in the air with dis- 
tended nostrils ; and often, before storms, assembled in a corner of 
the field, with their heads to the leeward. 
7. The loud and continued croaking of frogs heard from the pool, 
the squalling of the pintado and the peacock, the appearance of spiders 
crawling on the walls more than ordinary, and the coming forth of 
worms, have also been considered as signs of rain. When cocks 
crow at uncommon hours, and clap their wings a great deal, it is said 
to be a sign of rain, as is the appearance of the redbreast near 
bouses. 
8. Sparrows chirp particularly loud during rain, and often begin 
before it falls, affording thereby for some time a prognostic of its 
coming. 
9. If toads come from their holes in great numbers ; if moles throw 
up the eai>h more than usual ; if bats squeak or enter the houses ; if 
asses shake their ears, and bray much ; if hogs shake and destroy 
the corn stalks ; if oxen lick their forefeet, or He on their right side ; 
or if mice contend together or squeak much, — according to many 
authors, we may expect rain. Sheep or other cattle gamboling or 
running about, and appearing very uneasy, also portend the same. 
