  The boat sailer or yachtsman should be able, from close observation of the barometer and the general appearance of the sky, to foretell the weather with a certain degree of accuracy. The aneroid barometer is peculiarly sensitive to all atmospheric changes, and is thus invaluable for meteorological forecasts. A regular code of phenomena has been formulated by meteorologists, from which I take the following: A rapid rise indicates unsettled weather. A gradual rise indicates settled weather. A rise with dry air and cold increasing in summer indicates wind from the northward, and if rain has fallen better weather may be expected. A rise with moist air and a low temperature indicates a continuance of fine weather. A rapid fall indicates stormy weather. A rapid fall with westerly wind indicates stormy weather from northward. A fall with northerly wind indicates storm with rain and hail in summer and snow in winter. A fall after very calm and warm weather indicates rain and squalls. The barometer rises for a northerly wind, including from northwest by north to the eastward, for dry or less wet weather, for less wind, or for more than one of these changes, except on a few occasions when rain, hail or snow comes from the northward with strong wind. The barometer falls for a southerly wind, including from southeast by south to the westward, for wet weather, for stronger wind, or for more than one of these changes, except on a few occasions, when moderate wind, with rain or snow, comes from the northward. A fall, with a south wind, precedes rain. A sudden and considerable fall, with the wind due west, presages a violent storm from the north or northwest, during which the glass will rise to its former height. A steady and considerable fall of the barometer during an east wind indicates a shift of wind to the southward, unless a heavy fall of snow or rain immediately follows. A falling barometer, with the wind at north, brings bad weather; in summer rain and gales; in spring snows and frosts. If, after a storm of wind and rain, the barometer remains steady at the point to which it had fallen, severe weather The following rhymes are familiar to most sailors: When the glass falls low, Look out for a blow. First rise after low, Portends a stronger blow. When the glass is high, Let all your kites fly. Long foretold—long last; Short notice—soon past. The following notes may be relied on for forecasting the weather: Red sky at sunset, fine weather. Red sky in the morning, wind or rain, and often both. Gray sky in the morning, fine weather. Hard, oily looking clouds, strong wind. Yellowish green clouds, wind and rain. Bright yellow sky at sunset, wind. Pale yellow sky at sunset, rain. Very clear atmosphere near the horizon is a sign of more wind and often rain. Here follow some old sailors' jingles which I heard when a boy in the forecastle: When rain comes before the wind, Sheets and halyards you must mind; When wind comes before the rain, Hoist your topsails up again. Evening red and morning gray Are sure signs of a fine day; But evening gray and morning red, Makes a sailor shake his head. The action of the aneroid barometer depends on the effect produced by the pressure of the atmosphere on a circular metallic chamber partially exhausted of air and hermetically sealed. This kind of barometer is liable to changes on account of its mechanism getting out of order, and it should be often compared with a mercurial barometer, which from its cumbersomeness cannot be conveniently carried in a small craft. Aneroid barometers of excellent quality, and of about the size of an ordinary watch, are offered for sale at a reasonable price, and a cruise should not be undertaken without one. A phosphorescent sea is a certain sign of continuance of fine weather. When porpoises come into shallow water and ascend the river stormy weather is near. Sea birds fly far out to sea in fine weather, but if they fly inland bad weather may be expected. A halo round the moon, especially if it appears distant and yet very distinct, indicates a gale of wind and probably rain. When the wind changes it usually shifts with the sun from left to right. Thus an East wind shifts to West by way of Southeast, South and Southwest, and a West wind shifts to East by way of Northwest, North and Northeast. If The United States Signal Service has a local observer stationed at each of the principal ports. When the "information signal," which consists of a red pennant, is displayed, it indicates that information has been received from the central office of a storm covering a limited area, dangerous only for vessels about to sail to certain points. Ship-masters and others interested will be supplied with the necessary information on application. A cautionary signal, which is a Yellow Flag with a white center, indicates that the winds expected are not so violent that well found and seaworthy vessels cannot encounter them without great danger. A cautionary flag hoisted alone signifies that the direction of the expected wind is doubtful. CAUTIONARY SIGNALS. A dangerous storm signal, which is a Red Square Flag with black center, is hoisted when the wind is over thirty-five miles an hour. At night a Red Light indicates Easterly STORM SIGNALS. Following are the weather signals, which explain themselves: WEATHER. Beaufort's scale is used to measure the velocity of the wind. It is given below:
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