1103. _Why when the perfume of flowers is unusually perceptible may wet
weather be anticipated?_
Because when the air is damp it _conveys the odours of flowers_ more
effectively than it does when dry.
1104. _Why when swallows fly low may wet weather be expected?_
Because the insects which the swallows pursue in their flight are
flying low, _to escape the moisture of the upper regions of the
atmosphere_.
1105. _Why do ducks and geese go to the water, and dash it over their
backs on the approach of rain?_
Because by wetting the outer coat of their feathers before the rain
falls, by sudden dashes of water over the surface, they _prevent the
drops of rain from penetrating to their bodies through the open and dry
feathers_.
1106. _Why do horses and cattle stretch out their necks and snuff the
air on the approach of rain?_
Because they smell the _fragrant perfume_ which is diffused in the air
by its increasing moistness.
[Verse: "I will remember the works of the Lord: Surely I will
remember thy wonders of old."--PSALM LXXVII.]
1107. _Why may change of weather be anticipated when domestic animals
are restless?_
Because their skins are exceedingly sensitive to atmospheric
influences, and they are oppressed and irritated by _the changing
condition of the atmosphere_.
1108. _Why may fine weather be expected when spiders are seen busily
constructing their webs?_
Because those insects are highly sensitive to the state of the
atmosphere, and when it is setting fine they build their webs, because
they know instinctively _that flies will be abroad_.
1109. _Why is wet weather to be expected when spiders hide?_
Because it shows that they are aware that the state of the atmosphere
does not _favour the flight of insects_.
1110. _Why if gnats fly in large numbers may fine weather be expected?_
Because it shows that they feel the state of the atmosphere to be
favourable, which induces them all to _leave their places of shelter_.
1111. _Why if owls scream during foul weather, will it change to fine?_
Because the birds are pleasurably excited by a favourable _change in
the atmosphere_.
1112. _Why is it said that the moping of the owl foretells death?_
Because owls scream when the weather is on the change; and when a
patient is lingering on a death bed, the alteration in the state of the
atmosphere frequently induces death, because the faint and expiring
flame of life has not strength enough _to adapt itself to the change_.
1113. _Why may wet weather be expected when spiders break off their
webs, and remove them?_
Because the insects, anticipating the approach of rain, remove their
webs for preservation.
[Verse: "There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and
hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be
gathered, every one with her mate."--ISAIAH XXXIV.]
1114. _Why may we expect a continuance of fine weather when bees wander
far from their hives?_
Because the bees feel instinctively that from the state of the
atmosphere they may wander far in search of honey, without the danger
of being overtaken by rain.
1115. _Why if people feel their corns ache, and their bones rheumatic,
may rain be expected?_
Because the dampness of the atmosphere affects its pressure upon the
body, and causes a temporary disturbance of the system. All general
disturbances of the body, _manifest themselves in those parts which are
in a morbid state_--as in a corn, a rheumatic bone, or a decayed tooth.
1116. _Why if various flowers close may rain be expected?_
Because plants are highly sensitive to atmospheric changes, and _close
their petals to protect their stamens_.
1117. _Why when moles throw up their hills may rain be expected?_
Because the moles know instinctively, that on the approach of wet,
worms move in the ground; the moles therefore become active, _and form
their hills_.
1118. _Why is a magpie, when seen alone, said to foretell bad weather?_
Because magpies generally fly in company; but on the approach of wet or
cold, one _remains in the nest to take care of the young_, while the
other one wanders alone in search of food.
1119. _Why do sea-gulls appear numerous in fine weather_?
Because the fishes swim near to the surface of the sea, and the birds
_assemble over the sea to catch the fish, instead of sitting on rocks_,
or wading on the shore.
1120. _Why do sea-gulls fly over the land, on the approach of stormy
weather?_
Because in stormy weather they cannot catch fish; and the _earth-worms
come up on the land_ when the rain falls.
[Verse: "And I said, Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then
would I fly away, and be at rest."--PSALM LV.]
1121. _Why if birds cease to sing, may wet, and probably thunder, be
expected._?
Because birds are depressed by an unfavourable change in the
atmosphere, and _lose those joyful spirits which give rise to their
songs_.
1122. _Why if cattle run around in meadows, may thunder be expected?_
Because the electrical state of the atmosphere has the effect of making
them feel uneasy and irritable, and _they chase each other about to get
rid of the irritability_.
1123. _Why if birds of passage arrive early, may severe weather be
expected?_
Because it shows that the indications of unfavourable weather have set
in, in the latitudes from which the birds come, and that they have
_taken an early flight to escape it_.
1124. _Why if the webs of the gossamer spider fly about in the autumn,
may east winds be anticipated?_
Because an east wind is a dry and dense wind, and suitable to the
flight of the gossamer spider; the spider feeling instinctively the
dryness of the air, throws out its web, and finds it _more than usually
buoyant upon the dense air_.
The observation of the changing phenomena which attend the various
states of the weather is a very interesting study, though no
general rules can be laid down that can be relied upon, because
there are modifying circumstances which influence the weather in
various localities and climates. To observe weather indications
accurately, no phenomenon should be taken alone, but several
should be regarded together. The character and the duration of
the weather of the preceding days, the direction of the wind,
the forms of the clouds, the indications of the barometer, the
rise or fall of the thermometer, and the instinctive forewarnings
of birds, beasts, insects, and flowers, should all be taken
into account. Although no direct material advantages attend
such a study, it induces a habit of observation, and develops
the inductive faculty of the mind, which, when applied to more
significant things, may trace important effects to their greater
causes.
[Verse: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be
wise."--PROV. VI.]