CHAPTER LVI.

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.]