ing more or less
than foresight. So foresight tends to prudence and skill, and they
exercise both, and with reference to the future. The goldfinch does not
build her nest in the hole of the tree, or in the crotch of the limb; but
_hangs it_ with _exquisite skill_ on the slender _waving, outward branch_,
where no animal, or larger bird, or any depredator, can be sustained. She
is not more timid than others; why does she invariably thus build? What
makes her "_impulses_" differ from those of other birds, and always in the
_same manner_?

Jenner, too, has grouped, in admirably descriptive language, many of the
peculiarities exhibited by animals and birds before approaching storms,
some of which exhibit foresight, and others not.

Perhaps the rooster, who keeps ceaseless watch over his harem, is the most
reliable weather-watcher we have. In my earlier days, when it was the
practice to keep valuable birds of the kind much longer than it now is,
and they had opportunity to become _experienced_, it was interesting to
observe how closely they watched the weather. I well remember a venerable
chanticleer, who, perched on the tree among his hens, would always
foretell the coming storm of the morrow, by sounding forth _in the
evening_, and _often_, his defiant note. Such note in the evening was
invariable evidence of foul weather. And during the night, their earlier
and more frequent crowing is often indicative of it. It is, however, in
the earlier part of the day, in doubtful cases, that no inconsiderable
reliance may be placed on their sagacity. Often, when a storm is gathering
in the forenoon, they will announce it by an almost incessant crowing. The
habits of an _experienced_, old-fashioned bird, of this kind, will well
repay attention; but I can not answer for the Shanghai and other _fancy
breeds_.

Jenner says:

"The leech disturbed, is newly risen
Quite to the summit of his prison."

Few have had, or will have, opportunities to observe this, but it is
strikingly true. It is difficult to conceive how mere condensation, from
an increase of vapor in the atmosphere, should be foreseen by the leech in
his watery prison. It is obvious, I think, there is an electric change
which reaches him, as it does the whole animal creation, the once broken
bones, and the joints of Aunt Betty. Thus much of the philosophy of signs.

_The barometer_ is a useful instrument, in connection with observations of
the other phenomena. It is e