The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. XXXV. [unspec L]

¶ Signes to prognosticate what weather is toward.

HAuing thus set down sufficiently a discourse of the winds, because I would not re-iterate one thing often, what remaineth now, but in good order to passe & proceed to the prog∣nostication and fore-knowledge of the weather? and the rather, for that I see that Virgil took great pleasure herein, and stood much vpon this point: for thus he relateth vnto the rude and ignorant men of the countrey, That oftentimes in the very mids of haruest hee hath seene whirle-puffs and contrarie winds encounter and charge one another as it were in battell, doing much harme to corne. Moreouer it is reported, that Democritus at what time as his brother Da∣masus was entred well into haruest worke, taking the opportunity (as he thought) of a most hot season, besought him earnestly to let the rest of his corne stand stil a while longer, and to make [unspec M] hast to get that into the Barne vnder roufe, which was cut and reaped downe; and this he did without any reason by him made, why and wherefore. And what ensued hereupon? Surely within few houres after, there poured downe a mightie showre of raine, and prooued Democri∣tus

to be a wise man and a true prophet. Moreouer, it is a rule commonly giuen and obserued, [unspec A] That neither Reeds would be set & planted but toward rain, nor corn sowed but against a good showre. And therfore since this skil is of such importance, I am content briefly to touch those signes that foreshew what weather will be, and make choise of such which by search and expe∣rience are knowne principall and make most for this purpose.

And first begin I will at the Sun, the best prognosticator of all others: When he rises cleare and not fiery red, it is a signe that the day will be faire; but if he shew pale and wan, it presages a cold winter-like haile-storme that very day: but in case he went downe ouer-night cleare and bright, and so rose the next morning, so much surer may you be of faire weather. If the Sunne in rising seeme hollow, he foretelleth rain: and when before his rising, the clouds be red, the winds will be aloft that day: but in case there be some blacke clouds intermingled among, you shall haue raine withall. If the raies and beames of the Sun be red, both when he riseth and when hee [unspec B] setteth, there wil fall good store of raine. Are the clouds red about the Sun as he goes downe? you shall haue a fair day the morrow after. If when the Sun doth rise you see flying clouds dis∣persed, some into the South, and others Northward (say all be cleer and faire otherwise about him) make reckoning that day of wind and raine both. Marke at his rising or going downe, if his beames be short and as it were drawne in, be sure of a good showre. If at the Suns setting it raine, or that his raies either looke darke and blew, or gather a banke of clouds, surely these be great tokens of tempestuous weather & storms the morow after: when in his rising the beams shine not bright and cleer, although they be not ouer-cast with a cloud, yet they portend rain. If before he rise, the clouds gather round together like globes, they threaten sharpe, cold, and [unspec C] winter weather: but in case he driue them before him out of the East so as they retire into the West, we haue a promise thereby of a faire time. If there appeare about the bodie of the Sun, a circle of clouds compassing it round, the nearer they come about him and the lesse light that they leaue him, the more troubled and tempestuous weather wil follow: but in case he be enui∣roned with a double circle, so much more outragious and terrible wil the tempest be. If perad∣uenture this happen at his rising, so as the said clouds be red againe which compasse the Sun, look for a mighty tempest one time or other of that day. If haply these clouds enclose him not round, but confront and seeme as if they charged vpon him, look from whence they come, from that quarter they portend great wind: and if they encounter him from the South, there will be raine good store and wind both. If as the Sun riseth he be compassed with a circle marke on [unspec D] what side the same breaketh and openeth first, and from thence look for wind without faile: but if the said circle passe and vanish away all at once equally, as well of one part as another, you shal haue faire weather vpon it. If at his rising you see him to cast his beams afar off among the clouds, and the mids between be void therof, it signifieth raine. If he spread his beames before he be vp and appear in our Horizon, look for wind and water both. If about him toward his go∣ing down there be seene a white circle, there will be some little tempest and trouble some wea∣ther that night ensuing: but in stead thereof if he be ouer-cast with a thicke mist, the tempest will be the greater and more violent. If the Sunne couchant appeare fierie and ardent, there is like to be wind. Finally, if the circle aforesaid be blacke, marke on which side the same brea∣keth, from thence shal you haue blustering winds. And so an end of the Sunne and his progno∣stications, [unspec E]

Now by right, the Moone challengeth the next place for her presages of weather to come. First and foremost, the Aegyptians obserue most her prime: or the fourth day after the change: for if she appeare then, pure, faire, and shining bright, they are verily persuaded that it will bee faire weather: if red, they make no other reckoning but of winds: if dim and blackish, they look for no better than a foule and rainie moneth. Mark the tips of her hornes when she is fiue daies old, if they be blunt, they foreshew raine; if pricking vpright and sharp pointed withall: they al∣waies tell of winds toward: but vpon the fourth day especially, this rule faileth not, for that day telleth truest. Now if that vpper horne of hers only which bendeth Northward, appeare sharpe pointed and stiffe withall, it presageth wind from that coast: if the nether horne alone seem so, [unspec F] the wind will come from the South: if both stand streight and pricking at the point, the night following will be windie. If the fourth day after her change, she haue a red circle or Halo about her, the same giueth warning of wind and raine. As for Varro he (treating of the presages gathe∣red from the Moone) writeth thus: If (quoth he) the new moon when she is just foure daies old,

put her horns direct and streight forth, she presages therby some great tempest at sea present∣ly [unspec G] to follow, vnlesse it be so that she haue a guirland or circle about her, and the same cleer and pure; for then there is good hope that there wil be no foule nor rough weather before the full. If at the full, one halfe of her seeme pure and neat, a signe it is of a faire season; if it be red, the wind will be busie; if enclined to blacke, what else but raine, raine. Doe you see at any time a darke mist or cloud round about the body of the moone? it betokeneth winds from that part where it first breaketh: and in case there be two such cloudie and mistie circles enuironing her, the tempest will be the greater: but how if there be three of them for failing, and those either black, or interrupted, distracted and not vnited? surely then there wil be more storms & more. The new moone whiles she is croissant, if she rise with the vpper tip or horne blackish, telleth beforehand that there will be store of raine after the full, and when she is in the wane: but if the [unspec H] nether tip be so affected, the rain will fall before she be at the full. But what if that blacknesse appeare in the middle of her body betweene; then (saith Varro) it will poure of rain in the very full. A full moone hauing about her a round circle, sheweth that there will be wind from that part, where the said circle is most splendant. If her hornes appeare when she riseth, more grosse and thicke than ordinarie, look soon after for a terrible tempest and and stormie weather. If she shew not in our Horizon before the prime or fourth day after the chaunge, and the West wind blow withall, then that moone throughout threatneth cold and winter weather: and if the day after the full she seeme extraordinarily enflamed, she menaceth vnto vs sharp showres and bit∣ter tempests. Finally, in euery moon there be eight points and so many daies (according as she lighteth vpon the angles of the Sunne) which most men obserue onely, and take their presages [unspec I] of future weather by, to wit, the third, seuenth, eleuenth, fifteenth, ninteenth, one and twentieth, seuen and twentieth, and the very day of her conjunction or chaunge.

In the third hlace, a man may know the disposition of the seasons by the fixed starres, and therefore it behooueth to obserue and marke them. They seeme otherwhiles in the sky to flit and run too and fro and then we shal not be long without great winds, rising from that quarter where such appeared and gaue token.

The starrie skie, if it shew cleare and bright al ouer, and in euery part alike, during that par∣ticular season [namely, between the occultation of the Harp-star, and the Aequinoctiall point] which I proposed and set downe heretofore, it is a fore-token of a faire and drie Autumne, but yet cold. [unspec K]

If the Spring add Summer both, passed not cleare without some raine and wet weather, it will be an occasion that the Autumne following shall be drie, and lesse disposed to wind; how∣beit, thick, muddy, and enclined to mists. A faire and drie Autumne, bringeth in alwaies a win∣die winter.

When all on a sudden the stars lose their brightnesse and looke dim, and that neither vpon a cloud nor a mist in the aire, it signifieth either raine or grieuous tempests.

If the starres make semblance as if they flew vp and down many together, and in their flying seem whitish, they denounce winds from that coast where they thus do shoot. Now if it seeme to the eye, as if they ran and kept one certaine place, those winds will hold and sit long in one corner: but in case they do so in many quarters of the heauen, they betoken variable and incon∣stant winds, going and comming, and neuer at rest. [When you see a circle about any of the o∣ther [unspec L] fiue planets or wandring stars, you shall haue powring showres soone after.] Within the signe Cancer, there be two prettie stars which the Mathematitians call Aselli, [i. little Asses] betweene which there seemeth to be a small cloud taking vp some little roome, and this they name in Latine Praesepia, [i. a Crib, Cratch, Bowzey, or Manger:] now if it chaunce that this Racke or Crib appeare not, and yet the aire bee faire and cleare otherwise, a signe it is of cold, foule, and winter weather. Also if one of these two little stars, to wit, that which standeth Nor∣therly, be hidden with a mist, then shall you haue the South wind to rage; but in case the other which is more Southerly, be out of sight, then the Northeast wind wil play his part.

As touching the Rainbow, if it appear double as if there were two of them at once, it telleth of raine toward. A Rainebow presently after raine, is a signe of faire weather: but this is not so certaine, neither will it hold long. Also, when a man seeth new circles still about any planets, [unspec M] there will be much raine soone after.

In Summer time, if there chaunce to be more thunder than lightning, it threatneth winds

from that coast where it thundreth: contrariwise, if it lighten much & thunder little, looke for rain plentie: when you see it lighten, and the skie otherwise cleare & faire, it is a token that rain and thunder will follow thereupon, yea and rigorous cold weather besides: but the cruellest and most bitter impressiions of the aire, ensue vpon such lightnings as come from all the foure quarters of heauen at once: if it lighten from the Northwest only it betokens rain the day fol∣lowing; if from North, it is a signe of wind from thence: if from the South, Northwest, or full West, it happen to lighten in the night & the same be faire, it sheweth wind and rain from out of those coasts: morne thunders foreshew winds, but if they be heard at noon, they presage rain.

As touching clouds, if you see the rack ride apace in the aire, the weather being faire & drie, looke for wind from that quarter whence those clouds doe come; and if they seeme to gather thick in that place, dispearsed they will be and scattered when the Sun approacheth: but more [unspec B] particularly, if this happen from the Northeast, they portend rain; if from the South, storm and tempest: if at the Sun setting the rack seeme to ride from both sides of him into the open aire, they shew of tempests toward: if the clouds be very blacke, flying out of the East, they threaten rain against night: but if they come out of the West, it will surely raine the morrow after, if the clouds be disparkled many together out of the East, and flie like fleeces or flocks of wooll, they shew rain for 3 daies after: when clouds flie low, and seeme to settle vpon the tops of the hills; looke shortly for cold weather, contrariwise, if you perceiue those tops of mountaines cleare without moist or cloud, the weather will soone take vp and turne to be faire: when the clouds seeme to be heauily charged and full, and yet looke white withall (which * 1.1 constitution of the aire is called commonly the white weather) there is an haile-storme at hand: moreouer, be the skie neuer so cleer, the least cloud appearing therein, is enough to engender and foreshew wind [unspec C] and storme: mists if they come downe and fall from the mountaines, or otherwise descend from heauen and settle vpon the vallies, promise a faire and drie season.

Leauing the stars and clouds aboue, let vs come to our fires that we make and keepe in our houses here beneath, for they are to be raunged in the next place of our prognostication. If the fire then burne in the chimney pale, and keep there with a huzzing noise, we find by experience it foreshewes tempest and stormie weather: as also wee may be sure of rain, in case we see a fun∣geous substance or foot gathered about lampes and candle snuffs: if you see the flame either of fire or candle mount winding and wauing as it were, long you shall not be without wind. The like is to be said of fire and candle light, if either they seem to go out of themselues, or to kin∣dle and take fire with much adoe. Also, when we discern in the fire a number of sparkles gathe∣red [unspec D] together and hanging one to another: or if when the pot is taken off from the fire, the coles sticke to the bottome and sides: or when the fire being raked in embres, keepeth a spitting and sparkling from it: also, if the ashes lying vpon the hearth grow together: and last of all, when the liue-cole shineth brighter or scorcheth more than ordinarie, all these be signes of rain.

Goe we a little lower to the water, for that element also giues signes of the weather: and first of all, if you see the sea within the hauen, after the floud is gone, in a low and ebb water to bee calme, and yet heare it keep a rumbling noise within, it foreshews wind: if it doe thus by times and fits one after another, resting stil and quiet between whiles, it presages cold weather & rain. Item, if in calme and faire weather the sea strond or water banks resound and make a noise, it is a token of a bitter tempest: so it fares also with the very sea it selfe; for if it be calm, & yet make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [unspec E] roaring; or if the fome thereof be seen to scatter to & fro, or the very water to boile & buble, you may be bold to foretell of tempests: the Puffins also of the sea, [i. fishes named in Latin Pulmo∣nes] if they appear swimming aboue water, foresignifie cold weather for many daies together: oftentimes the sea being otherwise calme, swells, & by hoouing higher than ordinarie, shewes she had wind good store enclosed within her, which soon after will breake out into a tempest.

Let vs come aland againe, and marke the disposition of woods and hills: you shall heare the mountains and forrests both, keep a sounding and rumbling noise, and then they foretell some change of weather, nay you shall mark the leaues of trees to moue, flicker, and play themselues, & yet no wind at all stirring; but be sure then you shall not be long without. The like predicti∣on is to be gathered by the light downe of either poplars or thistles flying too and fro in the [unspec F] aire; also of plumes and feathers floting vpon the water. Goe down lower to the vales & plains: if a man chance to heare a bustling there, he may make account that a tempest will follow. As for the rumbling in the aire, it is an vndoubted signe and token thereof.

Moreouer, the verie bruit and dumb creatures presage and giue warning what weather there [unspec G] will be. To begin with the fishes of the sea: the dolphins playing & disporting themselues in a calme water, doe certainely fore-shew wind comming from that coast whence they fetch these friskes and gambols: contrariwise, if they fling and dash water this way and that way, the sea at that time being rough and troubled, it is an infallible signe of a calm and of faire weather tow∣ard. The Cuttle or little Calamarie Loligo, launching it selfe and flying aboue the water; the Cockles & winkles cleauing and sticking hard to the grauell, the Sea-vrchins thrusting them∣selues into the owse and mud, or otherwise balaised & couered with sand, be all signes of tem∣pests neare. The like may be said of Froggs, when they crie more than their custome is, and of Seamews also, when they gaggle in a morning betimes extraordinarily, semblably, the Cormo∣rants, Gulls, Mallards, and Ducks, when they keep a proining of their feathers with their bills, [unspec H] foreshew wind: and generally, when you see other water-foule to gather and assemble together and then combat one with another, or Cranes make hast to flie into the midland parts of the maine. The Cormorants and Guls flying from the sea and standing lakes, and Cranes soaring a∣loft in the aire still, without any noise, doe put in comfort of a faire and drie season: so doth the How lat also, when she cries chuitt in rainie weather: but if it be then faire and drie, we shall be sure to haue foule tempests for it afterwards: Rauens crying one to another as if they sobbed or yexed therewith, and besides clapping themselues with their wings, if they continue this note, doe portend winds; but if they giue ouer between-whiles, & cut their crie short as if they swal∣low it backe again, they presage rain and wind both. Iacke-dawes, if it be late ere they returne from their reliefe abroad, foretoken cold and hard weather; so do the white-birds when they as∣semble [unspec I] and flock together, as also when land-foule (and the crow especially) keep a crying a∣gainst the water, clapping their wings, washing also & bathing themselues. If the Swallow flie low and so neere the water, that she flap the same oftentimes with her wings, it is a sign of rain and foule weather. Semblably, all other birds that nestle in trees, if they seem to make many flights out, but returne again quickly to their nests. Moreouer, if Geese hold on a continuall gagling out of all order vntunably, a man may guesse no better by them, no more than he can of the Heron which he seeth heauy and sad vpon the sands.

And no maruell that these riuer-foules, or generally any other birds of the aire whatsoeuer, should haue a secret presage and foreknowledge of the disposition of the aire; for the very four∣footed beasts of the earth doe make shew thereof by their behauiour. The sheep and such small cattaile, leaping and playing wantonly, dancing also as vntowardly without measure, doe testi∣fie [unspec K] some change of weather: nay the dull and heauie oxen holding vp their nose and muzles, snuffe and smell into the aire, yea and keep a licking against the haire [toward rain.] Also when you see the foule and filthie hogs, rend, teare, and fling about them bottles of hay, and yet they care not for it when they haue done, because it is no meat for them: likewise if you perceiue the pismires or ants either lying close and idle, full against their nature (whose propertie is to be industrious and euer busie) or encountring one another in battailewise, or else carying their egs abroad out of their holes. Finally, when the mads or earthwormes come forth and appeare, a man may be bold to foretel of a change in the weather.

What should I say more? It is knowne for certaine, that Clauer-grasse or hearbe-Trefoile will looke rough against a tempest, yea and the le•…•…ues thereof will stand staring vp as if it were [unspec L] afraid thereof. And to conclude and make an end once of this discourse, whensoeuer you see at any feast the dishes and platters wherein your meat is serued vp to the bourd, sweat or stand of a dew, and leauing that sweat which is resolued from them either vpon dresser, cupbourd, or ta∣ble, be assured that it is a token of terrible tempests approching.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Some call them Towers.