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Weather Wisdom

A rosy sky at sunset, whether clear or cloudy, indicates fine weather; an Indian-red tint at sunset foreshadows rain. A red sky in the morning, bad weather, or much wind-perhaps rain. A gray sky in the morning, fine weather; a high dawn, wind; a low dawn, fair weather. Soft-looking or delicate clouds foretell fine weather, with moderate or light breezes; hard-edged, oily-looking clouds, wind. A dark, gloomy, blue sky is windy; but a light bright blue sky indicates fine weather. Generally, the softer clouds look the less wind (but perhaps more rain) may be expected; and the harder, more "greasy," rolled, tufted, or rugged, the stronger the coming wind will prove. Also a bright yellow sky at sunset presages wind; a pale yellow, wet; and a greenish, sicklylooking color, wind and rain. Thus, by the prevalence of red, yellow, or other tints, the coming weather may be foretold very nearly; indeed, if aided by instruments, almost exactly. Small inky-looking clouds foretell rain; light scud-clouds, driving across heavy masses, show wind and rain, but if alone may indicate wind only. High upper clouds crossing the sun, moon, or stars in a direction different from that of the lower clouds, or the wind then felt below, portend a change of wind towards their direction. After fine clear weather, the first signs in the sky of a coming change are usually light streaks, curls, wisps, or mottled patches of white, distant clouds, which increase, and are followed by an overcasting or murky vapor that grows into cloudiness. This appearance, more or less oily or watery, as wind or rain will prevail, is an infallible sign. Usually the higher or more distant such clouds seem to be, the more gradual but general the coming of weather will prove. Light, delicate, quiet tints of colors, with soft undefined forms of clouds, indicate and accompany fine weather; but gaudy or unusual hues, with hard, definitely-out-lined clouds, foretell rain, and probably strong wind. Misty clouds forming or hanging on heights, show wind and rain coming, if they remain, increase, or descend; if they rise or disperse, the weather will improve or become fine. When owls whoop much at night, expect fair weather. Bats or flying mice, coming out of their holes quickly after sunset, and sporting themselves in the open air, premonstrate fair and calm weather. Chickweed expands its leaves boldly and fully when fine weather is to follow. White mist in winter indicate frost. When fires burn faster than usual and with a blue flame, frosty weather may be expected. In winter, when the sound of the breakers on the shore is unusually distinct, frost is indicated. In winter, when the moon's horns are sharp and well defined, frost is expected. If the wind is north-east three days without rain, eight days will pass before south wind again. If wind follow sun's course, expect fair weather. When sea-birds fly out early, or far to seaward, moderate wind and fair weather may be expected; when they hang about the land, or over it, sometimes flying inland, expect a strong wind with stormy weather. As many creatures besides birds are affected by the approach of wind or rain, such indications should not be slighted by any observer who wishes to foresee weather, or compare its variations. There are other signs of a coming change in the weather known less generally than may be desirable, and therefore worth notice: such as when birds of long flight - rooks, swallows, or others-hang about home, and fly up and down or low, rain or wind may be expected. Also when animals seek sheltered places instead of spreading over their usual range; when pigs carry straws to their styes; when smoke from chimneys does not ascend readily (or straight upward during calm) an unfavorable change is probable. Dew is an indication of fine weather; so is fog. Neither of these two formations occur under an overcast sky, or when there is much wind. Occasionally one sees fog rolled away, as it were, by the wind, but seldom or never actually formed while it is blowing. Remarkable clearness of atmosphere near the horizon; distant objects, such as hills, unusually visible, or raised (by refraction); and what is termed "a good hearing day," may be mentioned among signs of wet, if not wind, to be expected. More than usual twinkling of the stars, indistinctness, or apparent multiplication of the moon's horns, halos, "wind-dogs," and the rainbow, are more or less significant of increasing wind, if not approaching rain, with or without wind. NOTES.

In 1400 all seas in the North of Europe were icebound. Ten years later, it was so cold that ink could not be used, as it froze on the pens while writing.

In 1558 40,000 soldiers encamped on the Danube. In 1795 some squadrons of French calvary captured a Dutch fleet icebound on the Texel. The "Great Storm" of England occurred Nov. 26, 27, 1703. The damage in London amounted to £2,000,000: 8000 persons were drowned; 17,000 trees were uprooted in Kent. The Gulf stream is the great "weather breeder" of the North Atlantic. The 9th day of the moon is the rainiest of the 28. In England, in the first and last weeks of the moon's age, the rainfall is less than the average. 4 P. M. is the rainiest hour of the 24.