[15] In these cases there is usually a combination or a contest of
currents in the atmosphere, horizontally, _or_ one _above_ the other, or
diagonally.
[16] Thunder clouds sometimes rise and spread against the wind
(lower-current). It is probable that there is a meeting, if not a
contest of air currents, electrically different, whenever lightning is
seen. Their concurrence, when the new one advances from _polar_ regions,
does not depress the barometer, except in oscillations of the mercury,
which are very remarkable at some such times.
[17] Aneroids, metallic barometers, and oil sympiesometers, seem to be
much more affected than mercurial barometers by electrical changes.
[18] Southerly, in North latitude; the reverse in the Southern
hemisphere.
[19] A "high dawn" is when the first indications of daylight are seen
above a bank of clouds. A "low dawn" is when the day breaks on or near
the horizon. The first streaks of light being very low.
[20] Indications of weather, afforded by colours, seem to deserve more
critical study than has been often given to the subject. Why a rosy hue
at sunset, or a grey neutral tint at that time, should presage the
reverse or their indications at sunrise;--why bright yellow should
foretell wind at either time, and pale yellow, wet;--why clouds seem
soft, like water colour; or hard edged, like oil paint, or Indian ink on
an oily plate;--and why such appearances are infallible signs--are yet
to be shown satisfactorily to practical men.
[21] In the trade winds of the tropics there is usually a counter
current of air, with light clouds,--which does not indicate any
approaching change. In middle latitudes such upper currents are not so
evident, except before a change of weather.
[22] _Much_ refraction is a sign of Easterly wind. _Remarkable_
clearness is a bad sign.
[23] The "young moon with the old moon in her arms" (Burns, Herschel,
and others) is a sign of bad weather in the temperate zones or middle
latitudes, because (probably) the air is then exceedingly clear and
transparent.
[24] Even in ordinary changes of weather it is interesting, as well as
useful, to mark the formation or disappearance of clouds, caused by
colder and warmer currents of air mixing: or intermingling.
[25] Depending on pressure and temperature.
[26] Sir James Ross--M. Daussy.
[27] Williwaw (Whirl-awa?) of the old sealers and whalers.
[28] Seamen call the light sails, used only in very fine weather,
"flying kites."
[29] Herschel.
[30] Dove.
[31] For a barometer of this kind, Admiral Milne has invented
self-registering mechanism, that answers well.
[32] A small turnscrew being applied gently to the screw head at the
back. This is often necessary, on receiving or first using an aneroid
that has long been lying by, or that has been shaken by travelling.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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