The daily gazette., 1878-02-13
'wExfnEn SIGNS.

5ciphSc INV BiFoS eh iuHhikcnt lhtcE-I
We take from Domestic |
in "The Reason Why series |
The following explanations Of some Of
these signs. They will interest all read> |
era.
why may wet weather be anticipated
when the perfume Of flowers is unusu-
ally perceplible? Because when the air
10 lamp IL conveys the odors Of flowers
more efiectually than when dry.
Why may rain be expected II various
flowers close ? Because plants are highly
sensitive to atmospheric changes, and
close their petals to protect their stea-
mems. ets
Why may rain be looked for when
distant objects appear TO be unusually
nearp Because when the air has nearly
reached saturation there Is cessation
of those vapor movements by which the
air 10 rendered 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 distinctlylthan
usual? Because water is a better con-
ductoi of sound than air, and hence the
conducting power of air may be improv-
ed 1t contains a large admixture OF
aqueous vapor. The clouds have been
supposed to act as ''sounding boards "
but the explanation cannot be Iehed
upon, since, at the distance that clouds
fly from the earth, if they Influenced
sounds they would produce echoes. The
sound Of distant church bells is greater
before rain than at any other time ;clocks
afar off then appear to strike louder, and
consequently 10 be nearer than usual
Other noises, such AS saving, hammer.
ling, the whettiDg of the mowers scythe
or the whirring sound of mills, and the
marmuriDg Of the sea, are all heard from
a greater distance than usual, as are the
Growing Of cocks, human voices ant
music Of all kinds. tI.a. a..ri Iui
4 Why may change of weather be antici
pated when domestic animals are rest
less? Because their skins are exceeding
ly sensitive TO atmospherical influences
and they are oppressed and irrltated b,
the changing condition of The almos
lphere. llnf
| Why may rain be expected If cock,
crow at uncommon hours or clap thei
wings great ceal? Because they ar
sensitive TO atmospheric changes-pel
haps even more SO than human being.
The growing at uncommon hours
simply from restlessness, probably cause
| by the changing atmosphere seaB rao
| Why may wet weather be expects
when swallows fly low? Because th
insects which the swallows pursue il
their flight are flying low 70 escape tn
moisture Of the upper regions OF tn
atmosphere. HVI- a-nI .nen' li1.s
Why do ducks and geese go to th
water and dash It over their backs o
the approach of a rain ? Because,
wetting the other coat of their feather
before the rain falls, by sudden dashe
|, of water over The surface, they prever
! the drops OF rain from penetrating
their bodies through the open and dr.
feathers. H1a HAa
Il Why do horses and cattle stretch ou
, their necks and snuff tine air OH thu ar
j proach of rain Because they SINE
. The fragrant perfume which Is diffuscd !
the air by It's increasing moistness.
Il Why may rains be expected whe
bDdub tOuiC tIOLl tllCh hOlCo oCCdu
toads like moisture /; they also live upo
Insects, which either crawl from the sol
or descend from the air to the earth
damp weather. #st f
Why may fine weather be expecte
when spiders are seen busily construc
ing their webs !? Because those insect
j are highly sensitive to The state of th
atmosphere, and when it is setting fir
they build their webs, knowing distin
d tly that flies will be abroad.
Why may wet weather be expect,
{ when spiders break off their webs AL
remove them 2 Because the insects, al
j, Iicipating the approach of rain, reno
i their webs for preservation.
q Why may rain be expected when fii
and other insects become troubleson
: and sting? Because those insects, feel
ing instinctively the approach of dam
seek their food before taking shelter
when the skin of animals is Inoistsne
by damp atmosphere flies can mo
easily pierce it.
Why may we expect continuance
} fine wheather when bees wander far frC
their hives ? Because the bees feel
Y stinctively that from the state of the a
mosphere they may wander in search
honey without the danger of bel
l. overtaken by rain.
Why may rain be expected when
d smaller stars look dull or are imperct
tible Because, those stars being du
Ter in light than others, they become
sooner obscured by the condensi
yapors.
Il why may rain be expect if people f
~ their coIns ache aud their bones rhe un
tic? Because the dampness of the
mosphere affects its pressure upon
body and causes IA temporary distarbar
of the system. All general disturban
of the body manifest themselves in thu
8 parts which are in morbid state-as
a corn, rheumatic bone or decay
tooth.
Why is ringing or singing noise
the ear indicative of a change of wea
er? Because the change in the press'
"" of the atmosphere affects the fine bic
=, vessels of the ear, and causes greater
Il lesser flow of blood therein. Th
noises may indicate either chai
= from foul to fair weather, or from fail
mn foul. fltt11
I'll Why does the setting of an east W
cause bodily aches and derangemen
IA Because the east winds are generally