The closing of the blossoms of numerous flowers during the day tells me it will rain; my flowers also give out a stronger odor previous to rain. The trefoils contract their leaves at the approach of a storm. The convolvulus and the pimpernel also fold their petals previous to rain, the latter flower being appropriately named the poor man’s weather-glass. When the chickweed’s blossom expands fully, no rain will occur for several hours; if it continue open, no rain will fall during the day. When it half conceals its flower the day is usually showery. When it entirely closes its white petals, steady rain will occur. “It is manifest,” observes Bacon in Sylva Sylvarum, “that there are some Flowers that have Respect to the Sunne in two kindes; The one by Opening and Shutting; And the other by Bowing and Inclining the Head; it is found in the great Flower of the Sunne; in Marigolds, Wart-Wort, Mallow-Flowers; and others.”
Smoke rising straight in the air means fair weather. The odor of the Mephitis is very pronounced before rain, owing to the heaviness of the atmosphere, which prevents odors from rising. Spiders do not spin their webs out of doors before rain. Previous to rain flies sting sharper, bees remain in their hives, or fly but short distances, and most animals and birds appear uneasy. “Sheep,” the Selborne rector states, “are observed to be very intent on grazing against stormy wet evenings.” One of the most reliable weather-signs in Texas is said to be supplied by the ant. The ants bring their eggs up out of their nests, exposing them to the sun to be hatched. When they are observed carrying them in again hastily, though there be not a cloud in the sky, a storm is near at hand. Swallows flying low near the ground or water is a rain-sign noted in the Georgics, the birds following the flies and gnats which delight in a warm strata of air. Aratus, the Greek poet, in the Prognostica, also cites the swallow’s flight low over the water as a rain-sign:
Fast skim the swallows o’er the lucid lake
And with their breasts the rippling waters break.
Previous to rain and just when it begins to rain, swallows fly swifter, doubtless to make the most of the insects while opportunity affords. Wheeling and diving high in the sky, the swallow flies to tell me the day will be fair. Chickens, it may be noticed, when steady rain sets in will continue searching for food after the rain has begun; if only a shower they will seek shelter before the rain begins. Foxes bark, and wolves howl more frequently when wet weather is approaching. Crows clamor louder before a change. Frogs, geese, and crows were looked upon as weather-prophets by the ancients, the crow especially figuring frequently as a foreboder of storm. According to Virgil, if they croak often, and with a hoarse voice it is a rain-sign:
Tum cornix rauca pluviam vocat improba voce.
If they croak only three or four times, and with a shrill clear voice it is a fair weather-sign:
Tum liquidas corvi presso ter guttere voces
Aut quater ingeminant.
Lucretius likewise introduces the crow as a weather-prophet: