Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-12

WEATHER SIGNS.
INDICATIONS OF CHANGE FURNISHED
BY NATURES SIGNAL SERVICE.

Animals Who Foresee Weather Changes.
Signs of the Moon-Wind and Sun.
Clouds Foretell.
Our weather bureau. with its flags and
hieroglyphics, is regarded as something new
"a progression in progressive age-and yet
it is merely an infringement on system Of
signals adopted by nature, as old as the oldest
hills Nature knows our needs and she
knows we must be warned of weather
changes: hence her warnings
What are these signalsi Where are they
displayeda Everywhere; animals, birds and
insects can read them. Seainen and country
folk understand them Some time ago a
statement concerning some ants was pub
lished in the papers. It seems myriads Of
these insects Inhabited a section of low bot
tom land. One day-a particularly bright
day-they were noticed leaving their dwell
ings for the high grounds. In immense
masses the exodus continued until apparently
the last ant had moved. Then came few
Clouds then a great pail of ashen vapor. and
terrific rainstorm completely inundated the
bottom where the ants had their homes A
gentleman related TO me very similar Incl
dent. He was IN Arkansas, and in his neigh
bOrhood was a stretch OF rather depressed
country that, by reason of its rank vegeta-
ton, was favorite hunting ground 1t
abounded with game. Suddenly the creatures
vanished The deer. the cougar and the cat
amount could only be foune b the highlands.
A few days after this vagary was noted came
violent storm. A river burst its banks and
for the first time in many years the region
mentioned was completely flooded Now,
how did these creatures foresee these weather
changesl By instinct, Yes. instinct enabled
them to read the warnings given by natures
signal service. What are these signalsi
Where can they be scent
SIGNS OF THE NOON.
Everywhere: the moon is sometimes used
as storm flag. Goou some night and gaze
at the clear heavens in which every star
sparkles like diamond Around the moon
is a curious misty halo. One might almost
compare her to the paid face of fair
saint encircled with an aureole of glory 1t
is an unfailing admonition that bad weather
is near at hand. For long time man has
been prone to credit the moon with weather
wisdom, in some cases without any good
ground. fear.
The wind is a rusty prophet If4a steady,
piercing northeaster is sending the rain plash-
ing against your windows mark when it
changes. If it veers from east to north west
and clears the clouds away, natures storm
signal is still hoisted. II, however, it goes to
the northwest via the south. you can fold up
your umbrella In the first case the clear
weather will be temporary. In the second the
stormy elements are completely exhausted.
The sun takes q hand in weather predic-
ton. Ii be lifts his face above the eastern
horizon, takes peep at the world and then
creeps behind a veil of clouds-ike a young
life made sombre by great grief before it
could reach meridian-then foul weather is
at hand Your trusty old chimney that has
been staring in open mouthed wonder at the
heavens this hundred years is one Of natures
signal posts Ii the smoke evinces repug-
nance to going toward the clouds. but de-
scends to earth, it would be well to hunt up
your goloshes.
THE FIELD SPIDER.
The field spider is skilful prognosticator
II hen you see his gossamer web scattered
over the grass, looking in the morning sun
beams like some weft work of fairies done
with silver threads. you can rest assured the
insect foresaw no storm In the near future 70
demolish bis fabric. A convocation of
crows noisily debating some important sub
ject in field, is, in autumn or winter. sure
sign of wind or snow. while the swallows.
darting close to the ground instead Of circiing
IN ulid-air, would shout Its going to rain
in your ear If they did not think you had
sense enough to understand them without.
Then the clouds Anyone can prophesy
rain when he sees q cloud, you say. Some
how, however, clouds mean Just the reverse.
If they rise in masses and then break TO
pieces, clear weather is coming IL they fly
over the zenith in little inky patches rain
will follow. If they shape themselves into
wisps, streazs or cupls, a change for the
worse is ct hand Very black clouds indk
ate winds Eave you noticed the approach
If thunder stor1i First, an array Of black,
'orbidding looking clouds. behind them an
,xpanse Of wild looking drab. The first di-
vision is the cavalry. rushing. bowling and
warming over the land; then comes the in
antry, steady, pitiless and slow, pouring
orrents Of rs.a on the earth
These are few Of TIE most prominent Of
,atu-e's warnings There ara a host of
,thers, and little observation will enable |
Tou 20 read them plaialy.--J {. PlumIIsr in /
Times