Living Barometers:

Manawatu Herald, 26 April 1898, Page 2

Living Barometers:

A barometer is an instrument which shows or records the pressure of the air, and so indicates changes in the atmosphere, or, as we call it, weather. Some animals are very excellent barometers. Among the best are. snails, which do not drink, but take in mois« ture during rain, and let it out afterwards. They are never observed abroad except betore a fall of rain, when they may be seen climbing the trunks of trees, and getting, on the leaves. Ants, before a storm, will hurry and scurry, rushing here and there. Dogs grow sleepy and dull, and like to lie before a fire as rain approaches. Fowls roll in the dust ; flies sting and bite more than usual; frogs croak louder than in ordinary weather ; gnats assemble under trees ; and horses grow very restless. -When a swan is seen flying against the wind, spiders crowding on a wall, toads com* ing out of their holes in unusual num* bers of an evening, or pigeons going to the dovecote . earlier than usual, all these may be put down as rain signs. Nearly all animals have some way of telling the weather in advance, due, probably, to some change of atmosphere, which makes them feel uncomfortable or the reverse.