UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
WAR DEPARTMENT.
SIGNAL SERVICE NOTES.
No. IX.
WEATHER PROVERBS.
PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
BRIG. AND BVT. MAJ. GEN’L W. B. HAZEN,
CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER OF THE ARMY.
BY
H. H. C. DUNWOODY,
1ST LIEUTENANT, 4TH ARTILLERY, A. S. O. AND ASST.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1883.
The study of popular weather prognostics has been considered of such
interest that much attention has been given this subject by European
meteorologists. It is proposed to make the collection as complete as
possible, and, with this in view, it is requested that all popular
weather sayings not found in this collection may be communicated to the
Chief Signal Officer of the Army. It is proper to add that the weather
forecasts of this office are not based upon the proverbs here given, but
wholly upon observations and generalizations accepted by meteorologists.
W. B. H.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Introduction or note to accompany publication by Chief Signal 5
Officer
Letter of Lieut. H. H. C. Dunwoody transmitting report 5
Copy of circular calling for reports of popular weather sayings 7
PART I.
Popular Weather Prognostics. By the Hon. RALPH ABERCROMBY, F. M. 9
S., and WILLIAM MARRIOTT, F. M. S.
Proverbs relating to animals, with note by Dr. C. C. ABBOTT 29
Proverbs relating to Birds. 34
Clouds 41
Dew 48
Fish 49
Fog 51
Frost 53
Insects 55
Moon 59
Plants 64
Rain 68
Rainbows 70
Reptiles 72
Stars 73
Snow 74
Sun 76
Thunder and lightning 79
Trees 82
Wind 83
Years, seasons, months, weeks, and days 88–93
General prognostics 105