18 MAY 1895, Page 24

My Weather - wise Companion. By " B. T." (W. Blackwood and

Sons.)—A short list of aphorisms, mainly culled from tradi- tion, on weather-lore. Much of this popular weather-prophecy is based on observation of the demeanour of animals, and the appearances of clouds, dew-fall, mists, and opening or closing of flowers. For curiosity, compare these empirical observations with the ascertained facts in Mr. Scott's "Weather-Charts and Storm-Warnings." Much of the inference is at variance with possibilities ; but for short predictions, immediate signs and tokens of rain or wind, the notes are useful. Every shepherd and " out-of-doors " labourer uses them, and the naturalist may add another heading to his rural notes, by noting the behaviour of birds and beasts before changes in the weather.