University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-02-28

/ l4OulSldlld, MO, FeD. ~. "iio"-
like to have the full history OF
.Groundhog's dag" as in one OF our
clubs this subject was assigned for in
vestigation and we can find nothing
here.
| shall appreciate it very much il
you will give us the desired informa'
ton through the Missourian.
Thanking you for anything on the
subject, remain, Yours truly,
o. C. GRIFFITH.
The following answer to the fore
going query was prepared by George
! Reeder meteOrologist in the United
| States weather bureau and director of
the Missouri Chronological service:
Mr.. Griffiths trouble in the attempt
to trace the origin OF grounding $
dag" is not unlike that of others along
the same lines. Authorities differ as
10 what grounding really is. a
groundh0g, says one authority, is one
of those animals that live on or in
the ground The facts are that III
parts of America and Europe the
grounding may be either a bear. bad
ger or woodchuck. The more genera!
opinion is. however that the ground
hog is a woodchuck, in other words 4
marmot, Ga monaX), being a heavy.
broad-headed griZZled animal of the
woods and fields. yellowiSh to whitish
gray in color, blackish on the back
and crown, and chestnut on the belly,
with the feet and tail brownish black;
they abound throughout the United
States east OF the dry plains.
AS to the origin OF "GroundhOg's 5
Day" | am unable to give any definite
information, as from the earliest ages
mems minds have been occupied with
the ever-varying changes of the
weather. We do know, however, that
Candlemas Day is an ecclesiastical
festival instituted by Pope Glasius
in 492, and is celebrated on February
2. 1t also must be taken into considera-
ton that the systems of dividing time
into years, months, weeks and days
was different from that now used
The Gregorian or reformed calendar
was adopted by the Catholic princes in
l311, in other countries somewhat
later, and in England as late as 1752
One may learn by this that ground
hogs day during the old days was not
the same as it is now. Whether
Candlemas Day was celebrated on Feb
ruary 2 because it was grOundhog's
day or whether the grounding was
asked to select CandlemaS day to all
nounce his longranged weather fore
casts, am unable to say. 1t seems
that, according to the notion of our
ancestors, on groundhog's day, or Can
dlemas day the bear. badger or wood
chuck comes out at noon to see his
shadow; if he does not see it, he re-
mains out; but if he does see it he
goes back to his hole for six weeks,
ind cold weather continues for six
weeks longer. The sayings of the
Scotch, English and French agree in
many particulars in regard to weather
fOlklore-such for instance as Candle
mas day February -.
A few of the predictions relative to
Sroundhog's day. Candlemas day, 9TH
2rwise now known as February 2. fol
low:
If the grounding is summing himself
on February 2, he will return to his
hole for six weeks, and cold weather
continues for six weeks longer" eng
liSh and French.)
IF on Candlemas day (February p
1t IS bright and clear, the grounding
will stay in his den, thus Indicating
that more snow and cold are to come.
but if it SHOWS or rains he will Green
out, as winter is ended" Germany
IF Candlemas day be fine and clear.
Corn and fruits will then be dear.
II Candlemas day bring cloud and rain,
Winter is gone and won't come again"
1t is said that an European shepherd
would rather see wolf enter his fold |
on Candlemas day than the sun.
While some of these old savings are
interesting, they are unworthy of Sc
rlous thought. 1t is proper to state
that all the old long-range weather /
sayings based upon the observed or
habits of animals and birds |
have received careful investigation,
and there is no value whatever at !
ached to sayings of this class. Nearly |
all of the old sayings are connected
with the saints days. having been Sc |
lected of course for their special in /
fiuence.' The strangest part of it is
That there are still many amongst us, |
even though it be called an enlightened |
ana scientific age. that firmly believe |
n the weather prediction procliyities
Df the grounding day apd .Ico =;