The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-25
LIVING BAROMETERs.
CREATURES OF THE LOWER ORDERS
THAT FORETELL WEATHER.

The spider Is a 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
ly 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, 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 shower, then it will 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 go outdoors to watch the spider
barometer There are few houses where
the crafty creature does not find an OBJ
scure corner wherein to swing its 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 a stock Of spiders about their prem
Uses for the express purpose CT prophecy
| ing the weather from their movements,
aI,. The enmity felt by the coed house
maid for this particular species of ami
| NAL is notorious. Those individuals can
study the movements of their own do
nestle 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 necks
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 filled
with the clamorous cackle Of geese and
ducks. Those who live in the country
and spend much time in the open ali
have the advantage Of observing the
movements Of wild animals and Of feel
ing keenly in their own persons the OPP
erations of the changing atmospherical
conditions. Moles become more active
in digging, stoats and weasels become
unusually restless and uneasy, and thu
hedgehog fortifies his cave against the
coming storm with an unfailing provi
sion which has earned for him most Ell
viable reputation as weather prophet
Wild birds make still better object
of observation, because i'll the "larg
air" their actions are easily noted
Crows and swallows remain near hom
when tempest is brewing; sea gulls M
longer venture out TO sea- but hove
over the fields or fly inland when win'
and rain are near; swallows fly loy
and skim the water, and the robin brood
melancholy in the bush or seeks TN
shelter of neighboring roof. These ar
only few of the many creatures OF TN
fields and the air which enable ma
, who has eyes to see 10 forecast tn
! weather during the nextfew hours. Th
explanation of all this is to be found i
the exceeding sensitiveness Of most ami
mails, especially those which are nor
or less wild, to atmospherical cond
), lions. They are all constantly maxim
forecasts after their own manner, anC
as we have limited, they are far MOI
trustworthy than any devices OF man tt
. ward this end. n
Several ingenious attempts have n
I Gently been made to turn this unfallln
q instinct to some commercial use.
4 number of very unique living barom'
q tiers have been put npon the marker
The cheapest, and tho one which WI
, probably become the most popular,
> the frog barometer. A small green fro
!, is found in Germany which AWAY
: comes out of the water when cold (
!. wet weather is approaching. Thes
! frogs are caught and kept in glass jal
. furnished with tiny ladder and ha
!. filled with water. The frog weatht
prophet sits high and dry ON the top
!. his ladder for several hours before
storm and climbs down to the bottol
when the weather is to be fair an
clear. Other remarkable weather propl
!. cts are leeches, and wehave heard OF
n old meteorological who adjusted his 81
\ rometer in such way that the leech'
q would ring little bell whenever
: storm was approaching and would r.
4 main silent when the weather was IA
Q or setting fair. These creatures WI
also indicate the weather in the san
|. way as the green frog referred to.
4 kept in a jar filed with water, the
!. viii climb up the sides when it is abot
4, rain and gather round the top. -Lol