OBSERVED BY VIRGIL AND OTHERS.-MISCELLANEOUS PROGNOSTICS RELATIVE TO THE SEASONS, AS WELL AS TO FINE AND WET WEATHER, DERIVED FROM OBSERVATIONS MADE WITH PHILOSOPHICAL INSTRUMENTS, FROM APPEARANCES AT SUN-RISE AND SUN-SET, FROM THE RAINBOW, HALO, AURORA BOREALIS, CLOUDS, HABITS OF ANIMALS, BIRDS, INSECTS, REPTILES, PLANTS, &c. THERE are, probably, few persons engaged in out-door employments or pursuits who would not gladly avail themselves of any information which might lead to a foreknowledge of important changes in the weather. Our insular position precludes, for the most part, any hope of foretelling what may be the general character of coming seasons, but the case is different when we refer to variations which are about to happen in the course of a few hours or days. In order to prevent frequent disappointment in the result of prognostics, it should always be remembered that it is not safe to place too much reliance upon one Upon this point Aratus says— prognostic only. Τῶν μηδεν κατοκνησο· καλὸν δ' επι σήματι σῆμα In addition to the indications afforded by philosophical instru * Do not neglect any of these signs, for it is good to compare a sign with another sign; if two agree, have hope, but be assured still more by a third. ments, the careful observation of many natural phenomena connected with the habits of animals and vegetables, gives such undoubted knowledge of atmospheric changes as will amply repay those who will give due attention to the subject. Moreover, our natural curiosity excites a constant desire to know what is about to happen, and renders some persons ready to observe and attentive to watch those circumstances from which experience has taught them to anticipate certain results. Many weather prognostics were as valuable two thousand years ago as they are now, and ought to have been familiar to every age and country. It is difficult to understand why certain animals should become so extremely sensitive to the approach of decided change of weather. Some of them exhibit symptoms of uneasiness long before there are any visible signs, and often, too, when they have not the opportunity of going abroad. Hence it appears probable that any important change of weather is preceded by an indefinite alteration of the electrical condition of the atmosphere, the precise nature of which we are unable to determine. In the wonderful economy of nature we cannot fail to notice that plants as well as animals exhibit certain prognostics. Some plants expand or contract their flowers or leaves according to the amount of existing moisture, while others are solely affected by the particular hour of the day. A TRANSLATION OF THE ΔΙΟΣΗΜΕΙΑ, OR LIST OF WEATHER OMENS, RECORDED BY THE GREEK POET ARATUS, A.C. 270. Do you not see when the moon appears on the west side with thin horns, that it marks the commencement of the month? and when the first light becomes strong enough to cast a shadow, she is at her fourth day; at the eighth in halves, but at the middle of the month she shews her whole face, and the phases always declining in an inverse order, she tells at each dawn what part of the month is at hand. The twelve signs of the Zodiac suffice to shew the terminations of the nights, and during all the year, the proper seasons for tillage, seed-time and planting. All these announce that we are everywhere watched over by Providence. Whoever has experienced storm and rain upon a vessel recollects the violent Arcturus, or certain other stars which rise from the ocean in the morning, and those which disappear at the commencement of the night. The sun, indeed, travels over all of them during the year, and, making a long circuit, he approaches sometimes one and sometimes another, sometimes when he rises, sometimes when he sets, according as one star or another star greets the dawn. You know, also, how the nineteen annual revolutions of the bright sun agree,* and as many stars also, as night allows, from the belt to the end of the feet of Orion and to his impudent dog. The stars even of Neptune and of Jupiter announce something to those that are on the look out for coming events. Be discreet concerning these things likewise, if you have a ship confided to your care, to learn to know the precursory signs of the winter wind and tempestuous sea. It is little trouble, and soon becomes of great use to a diligent observer. In taking precautions first himself, he warns one and another when the tempest approaches, for often in a calm night, fearing the sea in the morning, he takes care of his vessel; another time he prolongs his stay on land to the third, and sometimes to the fifth day. But at another time he exposes himself to unforeseen danger, for men have not received from God the knowledge of all things: there are still many things which are hidden, some of which he will let us know eventually, when it pleases Him. For present, in all places, He openly assists the human race; here and everywhere giving signs that He does so. Now, the Moon, when she only half appears, shows certain things, and other things when she is increasing, or at the full. It is the same with the Sun, at the end of the night, when he is rising. Also we could draw other prognostics from the other heavenly bodies as well by night as by day. But first observe the moon increase her two horns, for the evening mists mark her surface with different hues. She assumes, while increasing, various appearances-some the third and some the fourth day—and by these you can judge of the features of the ensuing month. If she is very thin and clear, the third day, the weather will be calm; if she is slender and somewhat red, it denotes wind; if dim, and her horns are not well pointed, shewing a feeble light, from the third to the fourth day, it will become either dull weather in the south, or rain is about to fall. If on the third day the two horns do not undergo any change, and she does not shine lying on her back, but the points of her horns incline equally one to the other, the western winds will rise that night. If on the fourth day she has the same appearance, she most surely intimates the approach of much rainy weather. Should the upper horn be decidedly inclined downwards, expect a north wind; but if on the contrary that horn rises, expect a south wind. shews a complete circle (halo), red every where, a violent will be severe in proportion to the amount of red colour. moon and the quarter, as well as the increase, as on the you will estimate the signs of weather for the month. weather; but if at all red, expect stormy winds, and when she becomes obscure, expect rain. But all these signs do not hold good at all times; there are those of the third and fourth days even to the quarter, and from the quarter of the moon to the half of the month, and, again, from this half of the month to the decreasing quarter. When on the third day she storm will soon occur, which Likewise consider the full wane, and from her colour If she is clear, expect fine * Meton, an ancient astronomer, found, by exact calculation, the lesser year and as compared relatively with the greater one, where all was uncertainty. After him astronomers have published tables of the revolutions of the Sun in periods of nineteen years, with such a winter, such a spring, such a summer, and such an autumn in each year; such winds and other circumstances useful to know; all of which it is asserted Aratus knew, as the Greeks did after the Egyptians and Chaldeans. Upon observing the course of the Sun during 19 years they found it constantly the same. Likewise the rising of the belt of Orion until the setting of the whole of this constellation. Also the rising and setting of Canis Major corresponds in equal years. It soon affects the quarter of the declining month, and afterwards the third (quarter) of the ensuing month. But if two or three circles (haloes) entirely surround her, or one only, the single circle may be a sign either of wind or calm. If the circle is not well formed, there will be wind; if it is pale, there will be calm; but when two circles surround the moon, they indicate a storm, which a third circle indicates will be very severe, the circles as well growing darker as more broken. Such are the signs which you can glean from the moon for a month. Likewise have a care to consult the sun from two opposite points, for the signs which it represents are more known whether it be at its setting or rising. First, its disc must be quite clear when it touches the horizon-if the day promises to be fine there must not be a single spot, for it must appear with the same brightness over all the surface. If it is quite clear in the evening and sets cloudless, with subdued splendour, the dawn of the following morning will be fine, but not when it rises apparently hollow, nor when the rays divide, some towards the south, others towards the north; but at the same time between them there may be others brilliant, and then it shews rain or wind. Notice also whether the sun's rays remain near him-for this is a useful observation to make. If when he has redness, as often happens, he becomes red on every side by gathered clouds, or he grows dark, these are signs of approaching rain. If altogether red, wind is indicated; but if both colours at the same time are present, rain and wind are indicated. If at sunrise or sunset the rays unite and form a thick cluster at one place, or if he is surrounded by clouds when passing from night to dawn, or from day to night, during those days there will be incessant rain. When some little cloud precedes his rising, but after this he rises all at once adorned with rays, be mindful of rain. When his disc is great, and at his rising dilates like something wasting away, and soon decreases, the day will be fine; also, when at a rainy time, he becomes pale at setting. After a day's rain examine the clouds towards the west around the sun; if a black cloud obscures him, and the rays flitting about him are separated here and there, you will certainly require shelter at the dawn. If he dips cloudless in the evening wave, and if, during his setting and disappearing, reddish clouds approach him, you need not fear rain either on the morrow or during the night. When, on the contrary, the rays of the sun waste away and stretch rapidly over the sky as though they would disappear,—and when the moon, opposed to the earth and sun (full moon), spreads a shadow, and there appears no red clouds dispersed here and there, but, nevertheless, there lingers a brilliant light before the dawn, the fields become dry on that day. In like manner, when he is still under the horizon, antecedent dull rays appear before the dawn, do not forget that rain or winds are imminent; moreover, if these rays are more obscure, you may be certain that it will not fail to rain; but if the rays are only a little dull, such as thin clouds especially shew, they are accustomed to be more obscured at the approach of wind. Neither do the dark haloes, which surround the solar disc, shew that it is likely to be calm. The nearer and darker they are, the more tempestuous the weather will be; and should the halo be double, the storms will be much more violent. But observe the sun when it rises and when it sets. If clouds in which mock suns appear surround it, and are red either N. or S., or both, regard not this observation as vain, for when they surround all parts of the sun near the ocean, the rain will not be slow in falling; but if there is a reddish ray to the North, it is from thence the rain will come, but if to the South, the South. Above all, if at the same time there fall drops of rain, these signs are more certain on the western side, for it is from thence they invariably proceed. Observe the Prosepe, which resembles a thin cloud; it is placed in the northern sky under Cancer, but around it, neither very distant nor very near, which one might estimate at a cubit or more, proceed two indistinct stars-one N., the other S. They call them the Asses,* and in the middle of them is the Prosepe, which, when the sky becomes otherwise than clear, is entirely hidden. If these stars, which, marching together on both sides, appear in turn near one another, they inundate the country by a violent storm. If the sky grows dim, yet the two stars preserve their colour, it is another sign of rain. If the Ass, which is north of the Prosepe, shines with a dull, feeble light, growing dimmer, whilst the Southern Ass is brilliant, take care of the wind from the south; but, if the contrary, observe above all the N. The swelling sea is also a sign of wind, and the murmuring sounds along the banks and sea shores in calm weather; also the sounds which emanate from the top of a hill. When the white heron, uttering loud cries, takes its unusual flight from sea to land, the sea becomes very much agitated by wind. Often the coots, too, when they fly in calm weather, carry themselves in a flock against the coming wind; often, also, wild ducks plunge into the sea, or beat the earth with their wings, or the clouds lengthen out on the tops of hills, or flowers fall from plants, or the down of the white acanthus swims on the surface of the water, hither and thither: all these are signs of wind. Observe, also, in summer whence come the lightning and thunder, that you may know from what quarter the wind is likely to come. In the darkness of the night you have falling stars rushing about, and you should observe from them the probable path of the coming wind, for they leave behind them a whitish train. But if they rush the one and the other from different points, observe the various winds, which principally oppose one another, for when this occurs observers are confused. Moreover, when it lightens from the E. or S. or even the W. and more rarely the N., the pilot, on the sea, has reason to fear the storm, lest the ocean should detain him, or the rain from heaven, but, above all, the rains which lightning brings. Often at the approach of rain the clouds at first appear much like fleeces of wool, or a double iris bestrides the great sky, or some star has its disc rendered dark. Often the marsh and sea birds, anxious for the water, eagerly plunge into it. Swallows, too, fly quickly around a lake, striking with their belly the vibrating water; or the more wretched offspring of frogs, whose parents croak from the water, become the food of the snake; the solitary owl twitters in the morning, and the loquacious raven from walking too and fro upon the shore, settles upon the earth, sometimes also he dips his head in the water as far as his shoulders, or swims in it altogether, turning about and croaking hoarsely before the coming storm. The very oxen even, before rain, raise their heads towards the sky and sniff the air; ants also quickly carry their eggs from their hollow abode; centipedes are seen collecting together and crawling upon walls; and worms come out, which they call the entrails of the black earth. Domestic fowls, which spring from the cock, carefully seek the insects and crow with louder voice, as dropping water splashes upon water. All kinds of crows and jackdaws are seen congregating, and by their cries, which resemble those of the sparrowhawk, give a sign of coming rain from the sky. Crows, also, upon the approach of rain, imitate with voice great drops of rain; and ducks with unanimous voice, imitating the crow, loudly shriek, shaking frequently their wings. Besides the ducks, the piping jackdaws, perched upon a high place, agitate their wings, and the heron hastens towards the water, uttering piercing cries. These are signs for those of * One of the ancient constellations. These stars are at present known as gamma and delta Cancri. |