be established. But to assert that they do not recognize existing conditions and respond to them, and to weather changes in progress, is to fly in the face of the experience of four thousand years.
To most animal life weather conditions are of even greater importance than they are to humanity. If the experience of naturalists, and of those who are in close contact with herds and with bees is worth anything, one must admit that nature has provided them, not with “prophetic instinct,” but with keener sensitiveness to changes in weather conditions than is possessed by human beings. The bison is especially sensitive to weather changes.
All shepherds agree that before a storm, sheep become frisky, leap and butt one another.—Folklore Journal.
When horses and cattle become restless and uneasy, a change to unsettled weather may be expected.
When fowls oil their feathers and are unusually noisy, unsettled weather may be expected.
A bee was never caught in a shower.
When bees hover about their hives and refuse to take flight, unsettled weather may be expected.
When house flies bite, expect rain.[1]
When spiders strengthen their webs rain may be expected.
The song of the robin bringeth rain.
The odor of plants of the nightshade family becomes very rank with the approach of rain.
Milkweed closing at night indicates foul weather.
The convolvulus derives its name from the fact that its flower closes when a rapid increase of moisture occurs. This is true also of the pimpernel. The pitcher plant, on the other hand, opens to receive the coming shower. The leaves of the sugar maple, the Cottonwood and the sycamore turn so as to show the under side on the approach of a shower. Occasionally this is noticeable in the case of clover.
Experience will teach the observer the value of popular weather signs and traditions. The experience of out-of-door men whose employments are affected by weather conditions should not be tossed lightly aside. Perhaps the explanation of their reasoning may not bear critical analysis; the results,- ↑ This is not true of the house fly. The biting stable fly, however, seeks shelter indoors on the approach of stormy weather.
