Because it is made with a piece of cat-gut which swells with moisture, and as it swells, shrinks. The cat-gut is so applied that when it shrinks, it turns a rod which sends the man out of the house, and when it dries it sends the woman out. Therefore, when the man appears, it is a sign of wet, and when the woman appears it is a sign of dry weather.
There is another toy, called the Capuchin, which is made upon the same principle. The figure lifts a hood over its head when wet is approaching, and takes it off when the weather is becoming dry. In this case, a piece of cat-gut is also employed. Various weather-toys may be made upon this principle—among others, a little umbrella, which will open on the approach of wet, and close on the return of fine weather.
A gentleman once made a wooden horse, which he declared should of itself walk across a room, without machinery of any kind. The assertion was discredited; but the horse was placed in a room close to the wall on one side. The room was locked, and otherwise fastened, so that no one could interfere with the experiment. After a time the door was opened, and it was found that the horse had actually crossed the floor, and stood on the opposite side. The horse was made from wood of a peculiar kind, liable to great expansion in wet weather, and cut in a manner to produce the greatest elongation. The fore hoofs were so made that where they were set they would remain, so that the contracting parts should draw up from behind. It is easy to understand how, in this way, the wooden horse crossed the apartment.
438. Why does ladies' hair drop out of curl upon the approach of damp weather?
Because the hair absorbs moisture, which causes its spirals to relax and unfold.
439. Why is it said in mountainous countries that rain is coming, because the mountains are "putting their night-caps on?"
Because the clouds descend when they are heavy with vapour, and being attracted to the mountain tops they are said to "cap the mountains."
"Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow; or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail."—Job xxxviii.