A Weather Indicator.
Year: 1887

page_text: A Weather Indicator.
We, JOSEPH F. NOWACK, Manufacturing Chemist, and ERNST BAHLSEN, Market
Gardener, both of Prag, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, do hereby declare the
nature of our invention for "A WEATHER INDICATOR," and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
Our invention is based on the discovery by the said Joseph F. Nowack, that the
leaves of a certain tropical plant "abrus precatorius” have the peculiar property of
indicating by their position various changes in nature, about 48 hours before the said
changes occur. As shown by numerous observations with hundreds of such plants,
any given position of the leaves corresponds always to a certain condition of the
weather 48 hours afterwards, and is therefore a reliable means of predicting the
same.
It is necessary, to remark, however, that certain conditions must be observed in
order to cultivate Nowack's weather plant in such a manner, that it can be used as a
weather indicator. In order to obtain and maintain these conditions, we have
constructed an apparatus, which in combination with the weather plant, constitutes the
principal subject of our invention.
The conditions for the successful cultivation of the weather-plant are:
1. A temperature of at least 18° Reaumur.
2. Access of atmospheric air, with the exclusion of wind.
3. Protection against direct solar rays.
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page_text: The apparatus mainly comprises a vessel heated by water and situated under the
weather plant, and a glass casing or hood for protecting the plant against the
atmosphere. The drawing shows a petroleum lamp L, which is enclosed by a sheet
metal base G provided with air holes. The lamp may be regulated from the outside
by having a key S adapted to move the wick." Different means of heating may,
however, be adopted, for instance, gas, or hot air, without materially changing the
construction of the apparatus in other respects. The heating appliance serves to heat
the water contained in a basin B situated above it, so that the radiant heat of the water
is distributed to the weather plant situated in the apparatus, and to the surroundings
of the said plant. Fresh water is periodically introduced from the outside, through a
removable funnel T and a thin tube R extending into the interior of the basin B. His
a cock for discharging superfluous water. The water basin B has a removable cover D,
on which is placed a basket K supporting on a layer of sand the flower pot which
contains the weather plant P.
A thermometer T¹ fixed to the basket K serves to show the temperature, and the
whole is covered by a glass hood A made as much as possible air tight at its base.
For removing the air in the interior of the glass hood, the upper part of the vessel G
is provided with apertures O arranged in a circle, and within this circle is placed a
concentric sheet metal ring C provided with corresponding openings O', and adapted
to be turned a little to the right or to the left, by means of small handles E.
Figs. 2 and 3 are horizontal sections through Fig. 1 at the spot, where the venti-
lation takes place. In the position represented by Fig. 3, air is allowed to enter the
interior of thic apparatus and reach the plant; in the position of Fig. 2 (that is after a
slight turning of the ring C) the air is shut out.
A ventilating appliance of quite analogous construction is on the cover of the glass
hood A, but the ventilation of the interior could be effected by other suitable means,
for instance by a special kind of venetian blinds.
To prevent the direct access of solar rays, the glass hood is covered with a blind or
mantle on the sunny side. Finally, the apparatus includes a magnetic compass F, to
ascertain the direction in which the atmospheric changes, announced by the weather
indicator, are proceeding. The observations hitherto made, show, that an apparatus
constructed as described may be employed for the following purposes:
1. For indicating the weather.
2. For indicating changes of terrestrial magnetism and earthquakes.
3. For indicating electrical conditions or changes.
In the observations hitherto made in temperate latitudes, each indication has
preceded the corresponding meteorological change by about 48 hours and has
extended a to local conditions, b, to the conditions of the immediate vicinity within a
radius of 5 to 8 kilometres; e, to the entire horizon.
As a starting point or standard for comparing the position of the leaflets on
opposite sides of a stem, we take the position represented by Fig. 4, which shows a
branch in approximately full size, with the leaflets of each pair placed diametrically
opposite or at about 180° to each other. This position indicates that about 48 hours
afterwards the weather will be "variable," see also position e in the diagram Fig. 5.
The more the ends of opposite leaflets approach each other by turning upward, the
more complete will be the "brightening" or clearing up" of the weather which may
be expected, so that the extreme position a corresponds to the indication "fine" or
"cloudless.' On the contrary, the turning of the leaflets downward, according to the
positions f, g, h, i, indicates from "increasing cloudiness" to "rain," and the extreme
position indicates "heavy rain." If the leaflets incline to the right or to the left, so
as to form an angle to the branch, as in Fig 6, we may expect a movement of air

page_text: (wind), which, if the leaflets move upward, will be combined, with "clearing up" of
the weather, and if they move downward, with "increasing cloudiness."
If the leaflets are situated in the direction of the stem of the branch or compound
leaf, therefore at 90° to the standard position, they indicate a "hurricane."
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If some leaflets of the plant place themselves upward, others downwards and in
various directions, so that the leaves appear irregular as in Fig. 9, there exists a
tendency to a thunderstorm." If the leaflets, especially after this first position, com-
mence to bend slowly downward, Fig. 10, a thunderstorm is approaching, and the
further the ends of the leaflets approach each other by this change (positions k, l, m,) the
nearer is the thunderstorm, which occurs after 48 hours, so that the extreme position
in Fig. 10 announces a thunderstorm within close proximity of the point of
observation.
It is necessary to remark, that the sensitiveness of the leaflets decrease as they
get older, and that the youngest leaflets must be excluded from observation. The
lenflets on the oldest branches indicate local changes of weather, and the younger
they are, the greater is the distance of the atmospheric changes indicated by them, so
that young leaflets, being the most sensitive, announce even the least change of
weather (for instance cloudiness) on the furthest point of the horizon.
The discoverer of the plant has also found, that there exist two species or kinds, which
cannot be distinguished by their appearance, but only by actual tests. Those plants
which are applicable for the observations described above, are termed by the discoverer,
"B-weather plants." Other plants of the same class, however, possess only in a
minor degree the properties mentioned above, but are influenced by changes of tem-
perature, and therefore called "T-plants." These plants announce changes of
atmospheric temperature 48 hours in advance, in such a manner, that an upward
motion of the leaflets of the T plant indicates a rise of temperature (corresponding
to the position of the leaflets of the B-plant, Fig. 5, d, e, b, a) and a downward motion
(corresponding to the position of the leaflets f, g, h, in Fig. 5) a fall of temperature.
Botanical experts, who have controlled all these observations, incline to the opinion,
that the B and T-plants are bastard-plants.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion, and in what manner the same may be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. An apparatus for indicating in advance changes in nature, such as changes of the
weather, magnetic and electrical conditions, by means of Nowack's weather plant
(alrus precatorius), said apparatus comprising a transparent vessel containing the
weather plant, closed on all sides, protected against injurious external influences, and
adapted to be internally ventilated and maintained at a temperature of at least 18°

page_text: Reaumur, these being the conditions under which in temperate climates Nowack's
weather plant answers the purpose of a weather indicator, substantially as described
and illustrated.
2. In apparatus as specified, an adjustable air-gas- water- or other heating appliance
adapted to maintain a constant temperature of at least 18° R. in the interior of the
glass hood A containing the weather plant P, substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In apparatus as specified, an appliance for ventilating the interior of the glass
hood A, comprising a movable sheet metal ring C situated at the bottom of the glass
hood A or within its base or stand, said ring having apertures 0' adapted to be put
into and out of communication with corresponding perforations O in the side of the
vessel A or of its base G by turning the said ring on its axis, substantially as described
and illustrated.
4. The application of Nowack's weather-plant for the previous indication of changes
in nature, in the manner, substantially as described and illustrated.
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1037
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicants.