TRICKS OF THE WEATHER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 455, 13 March 1909, Page 3

TRICKS OF THE WEATHER.

QUEER RAIN SIGNS,

How is it that most of us seem to know by instinct when thero is rain coming? When the lady whose rhcumatic batteries become specially active, or the irastfible, though lovable old gentleman whose gout thongs become specially tightened, or the man'with a shooting corn declare it will rain, thoy are generally right. In their infirmities they have the stock-in-trade of successful weathor prophets. And then thoro are lots of us who are neither rheumatics nor gout mediumsj but who have spccial pet spots that indicate to us in musical twinges, that rain is near. All these "indications," howover, are tangible.' They aro discernible to the senses. But more mysterious warnings than these of weather changes must be admitted to reach us—influences'that ive are.scarecly conscious of. That unhappy individual, the man. with a liver—how inapproachably, miserable he becomes before it ranis. It has been suggested —was it. not by. the Rev. D. C. Bates,- who studies weather?—'that the liver symptoms are due to the fallen density of the atmps- . phere. When the air appears "so heavy," t it is really lighter, and is therefore conilens- ' ing instead of absorbing moisture. Consequently the exudations, from our skins aro not absorbed by the atmosphero as freely as usual, and the scavenging work of'the liver is\accordingly, increased. The , liver, kicks against the imposition, and the spirit oi rebellion spreads over the whole'of the unhappy individual; and we get the "livery" mail.. Then, apart from livers and corns and rheumatism, and lumbago, the'world at large often seems to experience a feeling of oppression, especially at this time of year, when rain is about. Scientists who have studied these matters/ and .'doubtless know much about them, could entertain us imightily if. they would only tako the trouble ,to tell us exactly what-tbo weather, does to us. ■ There are ■ some morals -to take home. Farmers who want to be obeyed should try to avoid driving their men—or their wives either—when rain is coming. 'All . human beings are ; tnore' tractable 'when 'a shower is dispersing than when' it is gathering.' Even the sheep dog may be'stupid before the rain. And the'farmer's man should be careful, if he\is one of the unapproachable variety, to keep specially .out of nis sight,'and certainly .not to argue with him, -when, the "livery" days are on; 'If there is trouble with the stocky if tho men are lazy' and moody and dull, if there are bickerings indoors and out, with nobody able to crack a joke- or maintain the talk at table, if nothing can please the master or missus, and. the maids are all limp with .inertia—then you may bet it will ra:n to-morrow.