Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-03
PROVERBS
And PrOgnOsties Touching the Weather,
Furnished by the Pupils Of the Pub
lie and the Private Schools
OF Memphis, Which, With the People,
Are So Many Substitutes for Mete-
geological Instruments.
UNITED STATES SIGNAL OFFICE,
MEMPHIS Tenn November 20 1850

Z
MEMPHIS. Tenn, November 30, 1882.
To the Editors of the Appeal:
Principally, tue following lisl OF proverbs
proguostics, etc. wac, at the request of this
Office, collected and furnished by the pupils
OF The Memphis schools, public and private
A cursory examination will show ample evil
deuce of attention, observation, and a sem
tentious expression worthy Of an old Spar
tan, who never used two words where one
would do; or the delight of that modern
Spartan, The editor, who wants things "boiled
down.asaB utsone's attention is directed to
uer-2nd. perhaps, essential property OF
this list and sh1rUyuu- vz-- r,rss4-.~-
One instance will explsin: While in Da.
kota, /, with other observers, was called upon
20 collect and forward information relative
10 the grssshopper Tor loeusl) plague. Sub
s'quenlly, Prof Able, OF the Signal Office,
Washington, showed that the homeward
fight of these insects followed closely
the intrusion into he Mississippi valley OF
moist winds from the Gull of Mexico. One
important fact was gained, namely, the pre-
diction of these winds wonld be promised
relief TO the suffering farmers. Here the
study of recorded facts led to the discovery
OF a relation, or law, the application OF
which concerned the welfare OF a large agri--
cultural district. This principle of observa-
ton and study followed out has explained
or suggested the explanations Of many OF
the phenomena recorded below. For
example, swallows fly low, since their
food made heavy by absorption
of the increasing moisture which precedes
rain, descends toward ground; also the fact,
that damp air is lighter than dry air. Salt,
by absorption of atmospheric moisture, be-
comes damp preceding rain, as Front street
merchants know by the wet, slippery pave
ments in front Of meat esl ablish ments. Again,
the making of cream is said TO be affected by
the direction of the wind; northerly winds,
being cold, are favorable; southerly winds,
being warm, unfavorable. Another explsna-
ton is, that the electrical condition of these
winds is the cause; and the reason may be
based on the electrical observation OF DR..
Wislizenus, st. Louis, Mo-, as reported in tine
Transactions Of the Academy of Science,
1868, vol. ii, p. 4. 1t is there shown that
rains, thunder storms, and winds, may be
predicted from the electrical condition of the
air. In like manner, the goose bone, which
is said to become blue before rain, suggests
the action of electricity making it ozono-
meter. In general, 1t may be said, that all
these explanations are deducible from baro-
metric, lhermometric, hydrometric, or elec-
trio conditions of the atmosphere. Hence,
then, the value of many of these pro-
verbs, proguoslics, etc, which may be con-
sidered as substitutes for meteorological in
strumenta. AZ to the so-called Saws" pub
shed below, they have value in directing
attention to material phenomena, as well as
an chronological or sociological value! /
would thank Superintendent G. III. Collier,
the teachers and pupils of the schools, public
and private, the editors of the various papers
who published lists of questions, and all
Others, for their prompt, efficient and courte-
GUS cooperation.
In conclusion, the undersigned would be
pleased to receive from any source, such pro-
verbs or-prognostics as are not given below.
Respectfully, D. t. FLANNERY,
Observer IN charge.