CHAP. 80.—PROGNOSTICS DERIVED FROM THE STARS.
In the third rank must be placed the prognostics derived
from the stars. These bodies are sometimes to be seen shooting
to and fro;[1] when this happens, winds immediately ensue,
in that part of the heavens in which the presage has been
afforded. When the heavens are equally bright throughout
their whole expanse, at the periods previously mentioned,[2] the
ensuing autumn will be fine and cool. If the spring and summer have
passed not without some rain, the autumn will be
fine and settled,[3] and there will be but little wind: when the
autumn is fine, it makes a windy winter. When the brightness of the stars is suddenly obscured, though without[4] clouds
or fog, violent tempests may be expected. If numerous stars
are seen to shoot,[5] leaving a white track behind them, they
presage wind from that quarter.[6] If they follow in quick
succession from the same quarter, the wind will blow steadily,
but if from various quarters of the heavens, the wind will shift
in sudden gusts and squalls. If circles are seen to surround
any of the planets, there will be rain.[7] In the constellation
of Cancer, there are two small stars to be seen, known as the
Aselli,[8] the small space that lies between them being occupied
by a cloudy appearance, which is known as the Manger;[9] when
this cloud is not visible in a clear sky, it is a presage of a
violent storm. If a fog conceals from our view the one of these
stars which lies to the north-east, there will be high winds from
the south; but if it is the star which lies to the south that is so
obscured, then the wind will be from the north-east. The
rainbow, when double, indicates the approach[10] of rain; but
if seen after rain, it gives promise, though by no means a certain one, of fine weather. Circular clouds around some of the
stars are indicative of rain.
1. See B. ii. c. 6 and c. 36.
2. In c. 59 of this Book
3. "Densum." Fée says that this is in general confirmed by experience.
4. This results, Fée says, from the presence of thin, aqueous vapours,
which portend a change in the atmosphere.
5. Fée attributes this phænomenon to hydrosulphuric gas, ignited in the
air by an electric spark. The notion that these meteors are stars, was
prevalent to a very recent period.
6. To which they proceed.
7. This, Fée says, is confirmed by experience.
8. Or "Little Asses."
9. Præsepia.
10. This, as Fée remarks, is consistent with experience.