If the weather is likely to become rainy, windy, or in other respects disagreeable, spiders fix the terminating filaments, on which the whole web is suspended, unusually short. If the terminating filaments are made uncommonly long, the weather will be serene, and continue so, at least for ten or twelve days. If spiders be totally indolent, rain generally succeeds; though their activity during rain is certain proof that it will be only of short duration, and followed by fair and constant weather. Spiders usually make some alterations in their webs every twenty-four hours; if these changes take place between the hours of six and seven in the evening, they indicate a clear and pleasant night.
FLORAL DIRECTORY.
Speckled Snapdragon. Antirrhinum triphyllum.
Dedicated to Sts. Rufina and Secunda.
July 11.
St. James, Bp. of Nisibis, A. D. 350. St. Hidulphus, Bp. A. D. 707, or 713. St. Pius I., Pope, A. D. 157. St. Drostan, A. D. 809.
Sun-set.
Soft o’er the mountain’s purple brow,
Meek twilight draws her shadowy grey;
From tufted woods, and valleys low,
Light’s magic colours steal away.
Yet still, amid the spreading gloom,
Resplendent glow the western waves
That roll o’er Neptune’s coral caves
A zone of light on evening’s dome.