The Reason Why / A Careful Collection of Many Hundreds of Reasons for Things Which, Though Generally Believed, Are Imperfectly Understood

by Robert Kemp Philp

535. Why does a red sunset foretell fine weather?

Because the redness shows that the vapours in the air towards the West, or wet quarter, are light, as is evidenced by the degree of refraction of the sun's rays.

536. Why does a red sunrise foretell wet?

Because it shows that towards the East, or dry quarter, the air is charged with vapour, and therefore probably at other points the air has reached saturation.

537. Why does a grey sunrise foretell a dry day?

Because it shows that the vapours in the air are not very dense.

538. Why is "a rainbow in the morning the shepherd's warning?"

Because it shows that in the West, or wet quarter, the air is saturated to the rain point.

539. Why is "a rainbow at night the shepherd's delight?"

Because it shows that the rain is falling in the East, and as that is a dry quarter, it will soon be over. Rainbows are always seen in opposition to the sun.