Milford chronicle., 1889-10-11
STUDY TnE CLOUDS.
Their Names and simple Explanation
OF Their Nature.

OF Their Nature.
Clouds are classified and have names, not
withstanding their various and constantly
changing shapes. There are different names
for the conditions and motions Of the waters
Of a brook, such as pool, whirlpool, cataract
and rapids. 50 it is with clouds, in their
various shapes and conditions. Their study
belongs TO the science Of meteorOlogy
Clouds are masses Of vapor floating in the
higher regions Of the air, rising highest near
the equator, moved by the winds in various
forms, and generally disposed of in beds par
allel to the earth's surface. Scientifically
speaking, there are three primary FERNS OF
clouds. One Of them is called the cirrus, or
curl cloud, commonly known as the mares
tail" 1t is the highest and least dense OF the
clouds. Il is the most varied in extent, direc-
tion and shape, preserves its outline longest,
and remains longest illuminated before sun
.ssc and after sunset. Il is insilrery streaks'
resembling mares tail, or fine trellis work,
and is comprised OF the relics Of dissolving
clouds drawn out in fihers by the wind and
may cover tho entire sky. II the hlaments
slant upward rain is near, but II they point
downward fair weather may be expected
The cumulus, sometimes called ball OF cot
ton or summer cloud, resembles mountain
range or rampant extending upward along
the horizon, its bnse upon the earth, its edges
nutched with mimic rocks or turrets They
arc conical heaps Of small round clouds
stacked upon each other. II they increase in
number and darkness in the evening, rain is
sure 10 follow Their tops, in very dry air,
break away into cirrus or curled clouds. They
cling close to the earth, and sometimes are
enormous. Professor Forbes describes one Of
these vapory giants which he saw while on
top Of the Jungfrau Alps Its foot was in the
valley and its head 1000 feet above the noun
tain top on which he stood, and he estimated
it to be 10000 feet two miles, high.
Stratus is the name given to the third great
mass Of clouds. 1t is sometimes called the
fall or night cloud, being common to autumn
and most dense at midnight. When viewed
from a height it is seen spreading around like
a sea and creeping up the hillSides' After
sunrise it breaks up into cumulus clouds, van
ishes with the increasing heat, and indicates
a serene day. Stratiied clouds are charming
to the eye, stretching right across the sky
under the level Of other clouds, and barring
heaven like a silken banner with their snowy
stripes and ribbons Of silver
Other clouds, being less prominently de
fined, receive their names in proportion as
For instance. there is an intermediary cloud
called cumulo-cirro-stratuS ''Oh, myp
hear some boy or girl exclain in tone Of
CONSERVATION. But, 70 any one who has stud
led latin, something like the following will
fash through the miud "Cumulo-a heap;
cirro-a curl, Stratus-a coverlet; a curly, COW
erlet heap. Il is called that because it COM
biucs the peculiaritios Of all three Of the lead
ing clouds. Those who have no affection for
long latin names can callit the nimbus cloud,
which is shorter, or black rain cloud, which is
English. 1t isa dense, continuous, horizontal
black stratum, with flinged eigos, cap OF
cirrus and cumulus below, and Is almost lnva-
riably accompanied by thunder.
The vanc cloud IS a long, thin horizontal
cloud. with bent or undulated edges, and is
called cirro-Sratus. Il often resembles shoals
Of tish. or has barred appearance, at which
time the sky Is said to be mackerel-backe
Ii is that ilmy veil through which the sun
aud moon shine family. The twain cloud is
called the cumulo-StratuS, because it takes the
po,uliarities Of both. Il resembles a thick
stemmcd fungus, with a fiat anyil-shaped top
Ii is an intermediate cloud between those
that indicate fair weather and those that in
dictate rough weather, and attends sudden at
moSpheric changes. 1t increases the grandeur
of mountain scenery, for it often envelopes
the peaks like curtain.
The clouds OF Magellan are the large, lunli-
nous patches Seer in the southern regions
They resemble rags torn from the milky way,
and consist rs HerSchol says, OF swarms Of
stars In the same regions there are irregu
lar patches Of black clouds called coal sacks,
due to the fact that the sky is TO a great ex-
tent without stars.
Clouds moderate the suns rays during the
day and the heat Of the earth during the
night. They are the sources Of the moisture
which the earth requires, and their lower
surfaces, when in considerable maSSgS, aver
sge in all climates distance Of from :, 500 10
5000 feet above the earth. The most clouds
are seen in winter, about midday, and the
fewest in May and June during the night,
aud all the forms Of clouds may be seen in
one day, often very much commingled On
an average, seven-tenths Of the SKY is daily
obScured in Britain. Clouds move with great
sWiftness, and sometimes they can be seen
going in different directions, according TO the
currents of the air at different heights 1t is
this that gives feasibility TO the theory that
balloons or air ships can traverse the air in
certain directions by means Of the currents.
Frank H. Stauffer in Philadelphia Times