Si superant fetus, pariter frumenta sequentur, A species of wood-sorrel contracts its leaves at the approach of rain. Chaff, Leaves, etc. Chaff, leaves, thistle - down, or such light things whisking about and turning round, foreshews tempestuous winds.-Shepherd's Kalendar. THE FOLLOWING LINES NOTICE THE PLANTS WHICH ARE IN FLOWER ON THE VARIOUS FESTIVALS OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR. February 2. The Snowdrop, in purest white arraie, February 14. While the crocus hastens to the shrine Of Primrose love on St Valentine. March 25. Then comes the Daffodil beside Our Ladies' Smock at our Ladye Tyde; April 23. Againste St George, when blue is worn, May 3. While on the day of the Holy Cross, The Crowfoot gilds the flowerie grasse. June 11. When St Barnaby bright smiles night and day, Poor Ragged Robin blooms in the hay. June 24. The scarlet Lychnis, the garden's pride, July 15. Against St Swithin's hastie showres, The Lily white reigns queen of the flowers; And Poppies a sanguine mantle spread, For the blood of the Dragon St Margaret shed. July 22. Then under the wanton Rose, agen, August 1. Till Lammas Day called August's Wheel, August 15. When Mary left us here below, The Virgin's Bower begins to blow; August 24. And yet anon the full Sunflower blew, September 14. The Passion-Flower long has blowed September 29. The Michaelmas Daisy, amonge dead Weeds, October 28. And seems the last of flowers that stood November 1. Save Mushrooms and the Fungus race, Soon the evergreen Laurel alone is seen, December 25. Then Ivy and Holy Berries are seen, And Yule Clog and Wassail come round again.— Anthol. Austr. et Bor. PROGNOSTICS DRAWN FROM VARIOUS Chairs. OBJECTS, ETC. When chairs and tables creak it will rain. Coals. If the coals seem hotter than usual, or if the flame is more agitated, though the weather be calm at the time, it indicates wind: but when the flame burns steady, and proceeds straight upwards, it is a sign of fine weather. The Milanese say, Brasch lüsent Segnal de vent. i.e., If the coals burn brightly, it is a sign of wind. Corns. If corns are more painful than usual, rain will fall shortly. In Gay's first Pastoral are the lines, "He first that useful secret did explain, Why pricking corns foretold the gathering rain." Ditches. The smell of ditches and drains is more offensive before rain. Ere the tiles rattle with the smoking shower." Doors. Doors and windows are hard to shut in damp weather. Dust. Dust rising in dry weather is a sign of approaching change. If dust whirl round in eddies when being blown about by the wind, it is a sign of rain. The Germans say, Wenn der Staub sich lang' in der Luft aufhält, Fungus. During damp and windy weather, it often happens that we find a foul excrescence or fungus about the wicks of candles or lamps. Virgil represents the women at work by lamp-light, as foreknowing the coming weather by these signs.-Georg. I. 390, 91, 92. So the Italian proverb, Quand la löm l'empasta'l funs Spèta l'aqua poch de luns.-Bergamo. And the following is from Roberti Keuchenii Crepundia, p. 211: "Aeris humenti crepitans uligine fungus Si quid habet flammis ominis, auster erit." Lamp. If the flame of a lamp crackles or flares, it indicates rainy weather. Rheumatism. When rheumatic people complain of more than ordinary pain in their joints, it will rain. Thus also Butler, in his Hudibras, p. iii. c. ii. 1. 405 : "As old sinners have all points O' th' compass in their bones and joints Can by their pangs and aches find |