INSECTS FORETELL THE WEATHER.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 23, Issue 7, 26 January 1912, Page 5

INSECTS FORETELL THE WEATHER.

A close observer might with safety foretell the couditioua of the weather several days in advance by watching carefully the conduct of animals as they are very sensitive to barometrical variations. IVI. I'aiire, a French entomologist gives several illustrations, one being a certain caterpillar. It liras in colon tee if vine enveloping the branches with a wijt) in the shelter of which it may devour the leaves. 'i'bese caterpillars never go oat of theii uwo. awte except at night. When they do. not thus leave fch?ir tents the’e is Certainly a iKiromctrical depress ion. Many iut'nacsa are ghen ia which they h t'."e foretold storroe. Another iatcics.ing barometric animal is tha gcouop, one of tht largest insect'.. M. Fabre has stn<U«d the geotrop by luising some,of them in an aviary. Th.se insects also do not leave their barrows until after the sun sets, when and only If the weather is suitable.

When the conditions of the awy seem to predict a fine to-morrow the geot'rops are sometimes of another opinion, and it is proved that the insect by the subtlety of its impressions has foreseen —scented the shower—for the rain surely comes during the night. Again, at times, when there is, every appearance of rain, the insects come out, and their . forecast is correct. The sun rises 'radintly next morning. M. Fabre ■i gives many other analogous observations concerning signals of storms given by animals.