ts from
the relative situation of the sun and the eastern edge of an approaching
storm.

The following couplet of Darwin is an apt description of the morning
appearance:

"In fiery red the sun doth rise,
Then wades through clouds to mount the skies."

The sun is often reflected in vivid colors, from the under surface of
clouds, at sunset. This is an indication of fair weather. It is evident
the sun shines through a _clear atmosphere beyond the cloud_, or his rays
would not reach and illume the lower surface of the cirro-stratus with
such distinctness. He "_sets clear_," as is said; the clouds are passing
off, and there are none beyond. It is this appearance, in different forms,
when there happen to be patches of broken, melting cirro-stratus above the
horizon, which makes the beautiful sunsets that attract attention. So the
sun is reflected, in beautiful colors sometimes, from the cumulus clouds
which have passed over to the east. The most beautiful and variegated I
have ever seen, were reflected from that imperfect cumulus condensation
which takes place occasionally during long drouths--doubtless resembling
that which is seen over Peru, hereinbefore alluded to, as described by
Stewart.

It is not, then, the presence of cloud condensation at the west, at
nightfall, which alone indicates foul weather; but such condensation,
whatever its form, as evinces that it is not the _dissolving_ cloud of the
day, but the eastern, approaching portion of a _still denser portion
beyond, through, or under which, the sun can not shine clearly, but which
wholly or partially obscures it_. _Remembering this philosophy of the
matter_, the observer will soon be able to detect the various forms of
condensation which originate or exhibit themselves at nightfall, and
whether they indicate an approaching storm or not, without a more explicit
specification of them. It is an important hour for observation; "Let not
the sun go down" without attention.

When the condensation is obvious, but thin, at nightfall, it may not, as I
have said, be discernible in the evening. But there are methods by which
the incipient storm condensation may be detected. The number of the stars
visible, and the _distinctness_ with which they may be seen, indicate the
absence or presence of condensation and its density. Virgil, alluding to
the indications of fair weather, says:

"_Brightly_ the stars shine forth; Cynthia no more
_Glimmers_ obnoxious to her b