Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-03-29
Shepherdsown, March 9 1917

have furnished a number of proverbs
concerning the weather. Many Of these
are only nonsense, but lew have decid-
ed merit, as, for instance:
When the stars begin 10 huddle,
The earth will soon become puddle.
This contains the germ OF an excellent
forecast. The scientific reason behind
the couplet is that when mist, caused
by the beginning OF condensation, forms
over the sky, the smaller stars cease TO
be visible, while the brighter ones shiue
dimly with blur OF light about them,
each looking like small confused cluster
Of stars. Hence comes the idea that
stars can "huddIe" together at one time
and be separated at another.
The height, extent and shape OF clouds
depend upon the humidity, temperature
and motion OF the atmosphere. Conse-
quently they often furnish reliable warn
ingS OF the coming weather. Thus one
proverb correctly says, The higher the
clouds, the finer the weather" Bul this
saying must be restricted TO stratus clouds
or other more common clouds. 1t does
not apply TO those wispY orcinus clouds,
the highest of all, that float from five to
eight miles above sea level. In con-
nection with these the provero says:
Mackerel scales and mares tails
Make lofty ships carry low sails.
Part OF the air that forms the strong
upward current near the centre OF a storm
rises to greatheights and there comes into
contact with the swiftly moving layers
that carry il and its ice particles far ahead
of The rams. As the resultant clouds are
only the overunning part of storm that
is coming from the same general direc-
ton, the proverb is evidently well-iound-
ed.
When the air is damp and The day is
warm, great cumulus or ihunderhead
clouds are likely 10 form and produce
frequent local showers. Hence:
When clouds appear like rocks and towers,
The earth's refreshed by frequent show
erS.
The equalization ofthe temperature by
means OF the presence OF large amount
OF misunderstanding The cold places by
condensation and chilling the warm ones
by evaporation-is responsible for The
easy transmission ofsound on day when
rain is imminent. Therefore there is good
reason to accept the proverb that says:
Sound travelling far and wide,
A stormy day will betide.
Decrease in atmospheric pressure and
increase in humidity are two other storm
portents that have led 10 number OF
well-founded proverbs or accurate OBJ
servations. Thus we find it stated that
the approach OF storm is heralded by
the rising OF water in wells, by the more
abundant flow Of certain springs, by the
bu6blIng oil marshes, oy Inc oau oooIS
OF bitches, and various other phenomena,
all of which are due TO that decrease in
atmospheric pressure which precedes a
storm.
The increase OF humidity-favorabIe'to TO
precipitation-is indicated by the gather
ing OF moisture on cold objects, by the
collection OF perspiration on our own
skin owing TO diminished evaporation and
by the dampness Of many substances that
easily absorb moisture. The last effect
is illustrated by the packing OF salt, the
tightening OF cordage and the strings oI
musical instruments, the damp appearance
OF stone walls and columns, the settling
OF smoke and a number OF related phe-
nomena, all OF which have been appealed
TO with more or less justification from
science as evidence OF coming storm.