Evening journal., 1897-03-02
LIVING BAROMETERS.
CREATURES OF THE LOWER ORDERS
THAT FoRETELL WEATHER.

The spider is 3 good example Of the
living barometer. Close observation of |
the work on its web castle will soon en-
able one to forecast the weather When
high wind or heavy rain threatens,
the spider may be seen taking in sail
with great energy-that is, shortening
the rope filaments that sustain the web
structure. If the storm is to be unusual
1y severe or Of long duration, the ropes
are strengthened as well as shortened,
the better to resist the onset of the ele-
ments. Not until pleasant weather is
again close at hand will the ropes be
heightened as before. On the contrary,
when you see the spider running out
the slender filaments, it is certain that
calm, fine weather has set in, whose
duration may be measured by their
elongation.
Every "a hours the spider makes some
alteration in its web to suit the weather.
If these changes are made toward even
ing, just before sunset, a fine clear night
may be safely counted upon. When the
spider sits quiet and dull in the middle
of its web, rain is not far off. If it be
active, however, and continues so dur
ing a shower, then it viii be Of brief
duration, and sunshine will follow.
These various indications may be wit
messed and studied TO the best advantage
in the open air. But you need not al
ways 60 outdoors to watch the spider
barometer. There are few houses where
the crafty creature does not find an OBJ
scure corner wherein to swing it's sign
board, Files taken in and done for
here. :" Watch these places, and when
you see the spiders coming out ON the
walls more freely than usual you may
be sure that rain is near.
There are individuals who would not
keep q stock Of spiders about their prem
ises for the express purpose Of prophecy
ing the weather from their movements,
and the enmity felt by the good house
maid for this particular species of ami
NAL is notorious. Those individuals can
study the movements of their own do
mestic animals. Cats and dogs are given
TO scratching and other uneasy move
ments ON the approach Of rainy weather,
and their fur looks less bright and CLOS
sy. Horses and cattle stretch their necl1s
and sniff the air. Sheep become frolic-
some or turn their backs to the wind
and quarrel frequently. Goats bleat IN
cessantly and leave the hilltops for more
sheltered spots. Pigs run uneasily about,
carrying straw to the sty, and no longer
wallow in the mud and mire. Fowls
huddle together in the farmyard with
dropping wings, and the air is filed
with the clamorous caclxle Of geese and
ducks. Those who live in the country
and spend much time in the open air
have the advantage Of observing the
movements of wild animals and of feel
ing keenly in their own persons the op-
erations Of the changing atmospherical
conditions. Moles become more active
in digging, stoats and weasels become
unusually restless and uneasy, and the
hedgehog fortifies his cave against the
coming storm with an unfailing provi-
sion hich has canned for him most en-
viable reputation as a weather prophet.
Wild birds make still better objects
Of observation, because in the Large
air. their actions are easily noted.
Crows and swallows remain near home
when a tempest is brewing; sea gulls nc
lOukGI Ntulult Oul W Htdf UuL lONGA
over the fields or fly inland when wind
and rain are near; swallows fly low
and skim the water, and the robin brood:
melancholy in the bush or seeks the
shelter Of a neighboring roof. These arC
only few of the many creatures Of tn,
fields and the air which enable a MAI
who has eyes to see to forecast tn,
weather during the next few hours. The
explanation Of all this is to be found il
the exceeding sensitiveness Of most ami
mails, especially those which are mor'
or less wild, to atmospherical condi
tious. They are all constantly making
forecasts after their own manner, and
as we have limited, they are far NOR
trustworthy than any devices Of man to
ward this end.
Several ingenious attempts have re
Gently been made to turn this unfailini
instinct to some commercial use.
number OF very unique living baromc
ters have been put upon the market
The cheapest, and the one which vii
probably become the most popular,
the frog barometer. A small green fro
is found in Germany which alway
Nb4lA'o Ohb VI AilC MAtGi MLtn NoAtA u
wet weather IS approaching Thes
frogs are caught and kept in glass jar
furnished with tiny ladder and hal
filed with water The frog weathe
prophet sits high and dry ON the top {
his ladder for several hours before
storm and climbs down to the bottoI
when the weather is 10 be fair an
clear. Other remarkable weather propl
cts are leeches, and we have heard of
old meteorologist who adjusted his b,
rometer in such way that the leechC
would ring "A little bell whenever
ttorm was approaching and would II
main silent when the weather was ia,
rr setting fair. These creatures wi
also indicate the weather in the sam
way as the green frog referred to.
kept in a jar filed with water, the
will climb up the sides when it is aboU
to rain and gather round the top.-Lol
don Standard