Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 2, 1891.djvu/532

 476 VIII.—.

"A strong sky" is when great clouds—cumulus—rise along the horizon. The sky is then said "to be growin", and a breeze is looked upon as at hand. The clouds themselves go by the name of "a growan up" (Pittulie).

"A greasy sky" is the indication of stormy weather within a short time (general). The sky has a peculiar glitter all along the horizon, and for a few degrees above it, and is flecked with light-coloured confused clouds having the same glitter. My own observation confirms this weather-sign.

"A stiff sky" is when it is filled up with large white clouds having their edges tinged with red, and indicates unsettled weather.

Forecasts are drawn from the colour of the sky at sunrise and sunset, as the following formula shows:—

IX.—.

If black clouds, shaped somewhat like a whale, and lying in one direction, appear to westward, a breeze from the west shortly follows (Pittulie).

Large blackish clouds on the southern horizon, with a few clouds or clear sky towards the north, i.e., over the sea, indicate a north wind. This sign holds good chiefly in spring and summer. If the sky in the morning is overcast, with the wind from north or north-west, and if there appears on the wind a small space of blue sky,