The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-07-28
Our 0lio.
Weather Signs.

/
tation. We take from Domestic Science,
a British publication, in "The Reason
Why" series, the following explanations
of some Of these sigma They win interest
all readers.
Why may wet weather be anticipated
when the parfume Of flowers is unusually
perceptible2 Because when the air is
damp it conveys the odors of flowers more
efectually than when dry.
Why may rain be expected if various
flowers close? Because plants are highly
sensitive to atmospheric changes, and close
their petals to protect their stamens.
Why may rain be looked for when dis
tant objects appear to be unusually near !?
Because when the air has nearly reached
saturation there is cessation Of those
vapor movements by which the air is rem
dered in some degree obscure. Sir Isaac
Newton remarked that the stars seemed
nearer and better adapted for observation
in the clear intervals of rain, or before
showers, than at any other time.
Why may rain be expected when sounds
and noises are heard more distinctly than
usual2 Because water is better con-
ductor of sound than air, and hence the
conducting power Of air may be improved
when it contains a large admixture of
aqueous vapor. The clouds have been
supposed to act as sounding boards" but
that explanation cannot be relied upon,
since, at the distance that clouds fly from
the earth, if they influenced sound they
would produce echoes. The sound of dis
tant church bells is greater before rain
than at any other time; clocks afar off then
appear to strike louder, and consequently
TO be nearer than usual Other noises,
such as saving, hammering the whetting
of the mowers scythe, or the whirring
sound of mills, and the murmuring of the
sea, are all heard from greater distance
than usual, as are the growing Of cocks,
human voices and music of all kinds.
Why may change Of weather be antici-
pated when domestic animals are restless
Because their skins are exceedingly sensi-
tive to atmospherical influences, and they
are oppressed and irritated by the chang
ing condition of the atmosphere.
Why may rain be expected if cocks
crow at uncommon hours or clap their
wings great deal2 Because they are
sensitive to atmospheric changes--perhaps
even more 50 than human beings. Their
growing at uncommon hours is simply from
rcstlessness, probably caused by the chang
ing atmosphere.
Why may wet weather be expected when
swallows fly low? Because the insects
which the swallows pursue in their flight
are flying low to escape the moisture Of
the upper regions of the atmosphere.
Why do ducks and geesego to the water
and dash it over their backs on the ap-
prOach 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.
Why do horses and cattle stretch out
their necks and snuff the air on the ap-
proach of rain? Because they smell the
fragrant perfume which is diffused in the
air by its increasing moistness.
Why may rains be expected when toads
come from their holes? Because toads
like moisture; they also live upon insects,
which either crawl from the soil, or de-
scend from the air to the earth in damp
weather.
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, knowing distinctly that flies will be
abroad.
Why may wet weather be expected
when spiders break off their webs and re-
move them? Because the insects, antici-
pating the approach Of rain, remove their
webs for preservation.
Why may rain be expected when flies
and other insects become troublesome and
sting? Because those insects, feeling in-
stiuctively the approach of damp, seek
their food before taking shelter. When
the skin of animals is moistened by a damp
atmosphere flies can more easily pierce it.
Why may we expect coutinuarc ce Of
fine weather when bees wander far from
their hives? Because the bees feel in
stinctively that from the state of the at
mosphere they may wander far in search
of honey without the danger of being over
taken by rain.
Why may rain be expected when the
smaller stars look dull or are imperceptible? |
Because, those stars being duler in light
than others, they become the sooner OBJ |
scured by the condensing vapors.
Why may rain be expected if people |
feel their corns ache and their bones rheu- !
matte 2 Because the dampness of the at
mosphere affects its pressure upon the body |
and causes 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.
Why is ringing or singing noiseiu the
ear indicative of change Of weather |
Because the change in the pressure of the
atmosphere affects the fne blood vessels
Of the ear, and causes greater or lesser
flow of blood therein. These noises may |
indicate either change from foul to fair
weather, or from fair to foul.
Why does the setting Of an east wind
cause bodily aches and arrangements? |
Because the east winds are generally dry |
and irritating. Those winds reach us
across the plains of Northern Germany,
which are frequently cold and dry. The
sudden arrival of an east wind produces
great atmospheric changes which disturbs