The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-03-22
ODD WEATHER DEVICES
NATURE FURNISHES MANY SIM.
PIE BUT INTERESTING ONES.
Swiss Weathsr.Houss, 4 Common Toy,
Quite Trustworthy - Chameleon
Barometer Z curiosity-eimple
Test for Humidity.


seaweed out of doors, or even in IN
apartment where there is no artificial
heat. The weed is crisp and dry at
the approach of fine weather, while
it is fiabby and moist when rain is
likely.
A common toy, the Swiss weather.
house, is really quite trustworthy in
its forecasts. says the Strand. The
woman, of course, energies from the
little house In fine weather, while the
man ONE out when wet conditions
are to be expected.
In a medium state of the atmot
sphere both figures stand just inside
the house. The movements are Due
to the twisting of a cord of. catgut. q
substance which is highly sensitive
to changes in the humidity of the air.
Two very singular weather devices
are those in which a frog and a leech
are employed. In the former case q
glass jam-jar is filled to about two
thirds of its capacity with water. A
little wooden ladder is constructed,
and this is placed inside the jar.
. A frog will live quite happily in
such a position for a few weeks, and
It will be found that in fine weather
the creature will climb out up to the
top of the ladder. In stormy weather,
however, the frog prefers to remain
under the water.
Even more reliable as weather
prophets are leeches. A single leech
is placed in a broad glass bottle with
a piece of perforated bladder or leath-
er over the mouth. On the approach
of fine or frosty weather the leech re.
mains almost m%otionless, curled up at
the bottom. When rain or wind is
coming the creature. rises to the sui.
face, while a coming thunderstorm will
cause IT to be much ag;tated; at times
the leech will even leave the water
altogether, SO sensitive is the animal
to an electrical disturbance.
The chameleon barometer is a curl
osity which has puzzled many people,
but Its construction. is really very
Simple. The animal changes color &C.
cordiag to the weather, being pink in
damp conditions, purple In a variable
state, and bright Blue when the air is
dry. Fl. 75gH
"A cardboard mount is prepared,
and this may be lettered In sections,
Fair Storm ard Change. The chame.
leon is sketched out on biotting-paper,
and then immersed in a solution OF
chloride Of sodium and gum arabic
Any chemist will, make up the mix
I ture.
A more beautiful chemist hygro
scope is formed Of a flower made Of
white blotting-paper which has beer
immersed in the cobalt mixture. The
blossoms show many varying shades
from bright pink to sky blue, with the
changes in the degree Of dampuess IL
tho atmosphere.
A somewhat curious storm-glass
was Introduced BY the late Admiral
Fftzroy. This is formed. OF q glass
tube. stoppered. but with a small hole
: through the cork. Into the tube has
been poured q mixture Of camphor
! nitre, sal ammoniac, alcohol and wa
ter. The changes In the state OF the
atmosphere are indicated by the pro
! duction Of feathery growths. these ex
tending upward at the approach OF Z
storm and retreattng TO the lower part
Of the tube IN quiet weather:
4 III SANIa.-sf y - ~ EL go FL'