TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Office Chief Signal Officer,Washington, D. C., May 11, 1883.
Office Chief Signal Officer,Washington, D. C., May 11, 1883.
Office Chief Signal Officer,Washington, D. C., May 11, 1883.
Office Chief Signal Officer,
Washington, D. C., May 11, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the “Popular weather proverbs, prognostics, &c.,” in use in the United States:
The circular recently issued by you calling upon all observers, both regular and voluntary, and the general public to coöperate with the Signal Service in the collection of this information was widely distributed, and the replies received contain special prognostics in use in each section of this country. Many of these sayings express, in a crude form, the meteorological conditions likely to follow, and have resulted, from the close observation on the part of those whose interests compelled them to be on the alert, in the study of all signs which might enable them to determine approaching weather changes.
The increase of aqueous vapor in the atmosphere is indicated by its effect upon animal and vegetable organization. Animals are observed to become restless before rain, and many prognostics are based upon the action of birds, beasts, fish, reptiles, and insects. Plants and trees also indicate change in the hygrometric condition of the surrounding atmosphere by the expansion and contraction of their leaves or flowers. The increase of aqueous vapor is indicated by the expansion or contraction of various substances, such as wood, whalebone, cat-gut, sponge, and hair, which, when colder than the air, condenses the moisture upon them, and this being absorbed increases the temperature, thus causing expansion or contraction. This action of heat and vapor upon these various substances has been utilized by meteorologists in the construction of hygrometers, and a number of the prognostics herewith express the effect of moisture on the articles named.
I have indicated only a limited number of those prognostics which depend upon the quantity of vapor in the atmosphere with a view of illustrating that a portion of these popular weather sayings are based upon true meteorological conditions, and a thorough knowledge of this class of prognostics may prove of service to the observer when instruments are not at hand.
Those popular sayings referring to years, months, weeks, &c., are not considered of any real value in determining the weather forecasts for the periods named. They are given that general attention may be directed to this class of weather forecasts. The ablest meteorologists of to-day, aided by the most perfect meteorological instruments and the results of years of accurate instrumental observations, are still unable to give reliable forecasts of the weather for a longer period than two or three days, and frequently not longer than twenty-four hours. It is possible that a more accurate observation of the condition of plants orthe condition and action of animals might lead to some valuable suggestion in this important field of investigation. At least we may be permitted to invite a wider field of observation in this branch of the science so long as those most learned in meteorology are unable to inform the agriculturist whether the approaching season will be wet or dry, warm or cold.
I have included in this report the interesting paper on Popular Weather Prognostics by the Hon. Ralph Abercromby, F. M. S., and William Marriott, F. M. S., which was read before the Meteorological Society of London December 20, 1882. This paper is of special value when considered in connection with the popular weather sayings given in this report, as the relation existing between many of these prognostics and the attending meteorological conditions as determined from instrumental observations is clearly shown.
Under head of General Prognostics will be found a paper of special interest by Mr. Cushing, giving weather prognostics in use among the Zuñi Indians of New Mexico.
Part 2 contains the local indications of weather changes as determined by Signal Service observers at several stations of the Signal Service. Also table showing the wet and dry winds of each district for each month of the year, with a district map showing the geographical boundaries of the districts used in the preparation of weather indications of the Signal Service.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,H. H. C. DUNWOODY,First Lieutenant, Fourth Artillery, A. S. O. and Assistant.TheChief Signal Officer, U. S. A.,Washington, D. C.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,H. H. C. DUNWOODY,First Lieutenant, Fourth Artillery, A. S. O. and Assistant.TheChief Signal Officer, U. S. A.,Washington, D. C.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. H. C. DUNWOODY,
First Lieutenant, Fourth Artillery, A. S. O. and Assistant.
TheChief Signal Officer, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.