Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/545

 • The Origin and Value of Weather Lore. 197

with the aid of the finest instruments ; for example, a hunting clog has a wonderfully developed sense of smell ; the insects with their extremely delicate organisms would be susceptible to the slightest variations in weather ; plants with their chlorophyl and living prin- ciple may change very readily with weather changes, and so on. Not long ago a statement was published in the " American Meteor- ologic Journal " that certain snails in Georgia changed color on the approach of rain. A letter was immediately dispatched, making fuller inquiries, but no response was ever received. . It cannot be shown that a storm ever makes its presence felt by changes in mois- ture, pressure, or temperature which animals will notice before our more delicate instruments. In the case of moisture it is quite cer- tain that the change comes simultaneously with the storm and not before it. The evidence seems strong that there may be an influ- ence emanating from a storm other than that which can be ascribed to moisture, pressure, temperature, or any other commonly recog- nized condition. Nor do we need to go to animals to discover such an influence. Many persons who have lost limbs, or are subject to rheumatic pains, recognize such a condition. Captain Catlin, who has made a most interesting and scientific study of this whole ques- tion, has decided that there are certain thunderstorms and electric conditions which alone are responsible for the pains in nerves. Probably many have known persons who are extremely uneasy and nervous on the approach of a thunderstorm, but who are instantly relieved on the first clap of thunder.

Many readers will have noted in the summer twilight the sharp hum of the nighthawk as he strikes the air with his wing in darting for prey, also swallows as they skim just above the ground. These are both signs of coming storms ; the insects are driven down by the condition of the atmosphere, and the birds are forced to follow them.

Many ancient weather signs, more valuable than any derived from animals, are based on the appearance of clouds and fogs at sunrise and sunset, and other optical phenomena. One of the best of these is quoted in the New Testament, Matt. xvi. 3 : " When it is evening, ye say, fair weather : for the heaven is red. And in the morning, foul weather to-day: for the heaven is red and lowring."

The same idea is popularly expressed in the rhyme : —

Evening red and morning gray Will speed a traveller on his way ; But evening gray and morning red Will pour down rain upon his head.

In this case, if the red seen at evening extends round the horizon, it is not a good sign of fair weather on the next day.

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