<h2><span class="h2line1">THE BENEFICENT RAIN</span></h2>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p53.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="128" /> <p class="caption">135. Ice crystals growing downwards into the brook</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p53a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="506" /> <p class="caption">136. Group of ice crystals. Observe how in growing they avoid other</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p53b.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="223" /> <p class="caption">137. First stage. Lance-like form seen pushing out from banks of brooks</p> </div>
<h2 id="c6"><span class="h2line1">CHAPTER VI</span> <br/><span class="h2line2">THE BENEFICENT RAIN</span></h2>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">“We knew it would rain for the poplar’s showed</p>
<p class="t0">The white of their leaves, the amber grain</p>
<p class="t0">Shrunk in the wind and the lightning now</p>
<p class="t0">Is tangled in tremulous skeins of rain.”</p>
<p class="lr">—<span class="sc">Aldrich.</span></p>
</div>
<p>Fickle April, the season of sunshine
and rain, comes on apace; and the
bluebird, that “comes first you know, like a
violet that has taken wings,” has piped
his clear advance notes in the hedges,
and a bright message of promise his cheery
song always brings, of blossoms and verdure
soon to follow.</p>
<p>Surely each changing month brings with
its advent its own peculiar charms. The
seasons of frost, snow and ice are full of
beauty to those of us who have looked into,
and delight to ponder over, the many
secret ways of nature. But April with
its sudden showers, which eventually do
bring forth the May flowers, we hail with
hope; and are only too happy to leave
behind us, as a pleasant remembrance, the
more sombre, frozen charms of winter.</p>
<p>The ice-bound brooks have at last burst
their fetters, in the meadows by the little
streams the stems of the willows are
yellowing, and here and there the pussy
willows, in their silver, furry coats, are
bursting forth; the alders have sprouted,
and from the ooze of the marshes the
swamp-cabbages are pushing forth their
sharp-pointed purple sprouts. While the
honking geese, flock after flock, trail wedge-like
in the early mists of the morning,
across the gray skies. In the sedgy places
where the flags are just sprouting the
“peepers” at twilight begin their spring
chorus, and with the advent of all these
signs of advancing spring, we realise that
the “backbone of winter” has fairly been
broken, and the earth is preparing and
waiting for April, with its beneficent
showers to bring new life into all dormant
buds and vegetation beneath the earth
and to arouse them once more from their
long winter’s lethargy.</p>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p54.jpg" alt="" width-obs="595" height-obs="162" /> <p class="caption">138. Second stage of lance-like crystal</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p54a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="282" /> <p class="caption">139. Lance-like form completed</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p54c.jpg" alt="" width-obs="500" height-obs="570" /> <p class="caption">140. Freak ice crystals</p> </div>
<div class="fig"> id="pic140b"> <ANTIMG src="images/p54d.jpg" alt="" width-obs="500" height-obs="556" /> <p class="caption">140 b. Group of ice crystals containing germs, “freaks” and one completed ice flower</p> </div>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">“April cold with dropping rain</p>
<p class="t0">Willows and lilac bring again</p>
<p class="t0">With the whistle of returning birds.”</p>
</div>
<p>Since the rain plays such an important
role in nature’s plans, certain facts concerning
its origin, and the clouds which
govern its formation and fall, will prove
of interest.</p>
<p>The prior causes of rain are due to the
evaporation of moisture which is constantly
going on, from ocean, lake and river,
and all vegetation; until the air is freely
saturated with moisture thus evaporated.
Then “Mother Nature” assists, causing
turbulent, driving winds to rise, and all
her elements combine forthwith, to precipitate
the moisture; and then follows
the rain.</p>
<p>The rays of the sun falling upon the air
stratum nearest the earth cause it to
arise and expand. Thus, as a result, the
clouds are formed. The ascending air
leaves a partial vacuum below, which
causes surrounding air to rush inward;
which in turn causes winds. Once this
process starts, it tends to grow and perpetuate
itself. The inrushing air below
forces the rising air still higher and higher,
which causes dense clouds to form and rush
upwards to great heights. Both snow
and rain fall as a result of warm moist
air being forced upward to a great altitude,
and its moisture condensed.</p>
<p>The smaller raindrops fall from the
lower cloud strata, but the larger drops
descend from a much higher altitude. In
the higher, frigid altitudes where snow,
and the granular snow pellets are formed
and exist, in the upper sections of the
clouds; by falling down through the vast
cloud regions below, they gradually collect
minute cloud particles, and smaller drops
in their travels, and thus, by melting,
as they encounter warmer air currents,
form the very large, high-altitude raindrops.</p>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p55.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="443" /> <p class="caption">141 a. Coral-like branch showing the “feather type” in detail</p> </div>
<div class="fig"> id="pic141b"> <ANTIMG src="images/p55a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="441" /> <p class="caption">141 b. Window-pane ice. Two forms, the arborescent and feather types</p> </div>
<p>It has not until quite recently been
possible to measure with any degree of
accuracy, and photograph raindrops in
the exact size in which they fall. But
now that it has become possible to do this,
it is most interesting to know the process.
It is also most important to be able to
know that certain types of raindrops fall
during given storms. For instance, a very
large type of raindrop emanates from a
violent thunder-storm, when there is vivid
lightning. Another distinct type belongs
to the general storm, and there are many
others, their form and size being governed
entirely by the clouds and the character
of the storms from which they fall.</p>
<p>Hundreds of samples of raindrop impressions
have recently been secured, and
the method employed to collect and photograph
them is most unique. To secure
these raindrop impressions, emanating from
various storms and clouds, a shallow tin
receptacle about four inches in diameter
was used, the bottom of the tin being
covered with fine, uncompacted flour an
inch deep. The flour was then exposed
to the rain for about four seconds, and the
raindrops allowed to remain in the flour
until each drop had hardened as it fell.
These dough pellets, or raindrop impressions
were found, in every instance, to
correspond very closely in size to the raindrops
as they fell. When thoroughly dried
out they were carefully removed from their
bed of flour, labelled and photographed.
This method of determining the relative
dimensions of raindrops which fall during
various types of storms, has proven to be
the most satisfactory method as yet discovered.</p>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p56.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="327" /> <p class="caption">142. Beautiful type of window-ice growing like delicate sea-weed</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p56a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="592" height-obs="324" /> <p class="caption">143. Window-pane ice. Resembling pampas grass</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p56c.jpg" alt="" width-obs="597" height-obs="321" /> <p class="caption">144. Another type of window-pane ice</p> </div>
<p>The large raindrops are invariably
great travellers. The larger the drops
the greater the height from which they fell.
Some of them travel a distance of five
to eight miles before reaching the earth.</p>
<p>Raindrops falling from very high altitudes
invariably start out as snowflakes,
as the upper section of a rain-cloud, when
formed in the high frigid altitudes, is
usually composed of snow. The general
rain-storm usually furnishes small to
medium-sized drops. But sudden thunder-storms,
where the clouds gather in dense,
mountain-like formations, as the one shown
in the photographed illustration, furnish
the very largest raindrops which fall,
unless we except those which may sometimes
result from the melting of large
hailstones, which emanate sometimes from
very violent storms of the whirling, tornado
type.</p>
<p>The cold gray rains of early spring,
which frequently turn to ice in falling,
and sheathe the branches of trees with a
glittering coat of icy mail, change in character
as spring and the warmer weather
advances.</p>
<p>The mid-summer thundershower is still
another type, and an impressive one. When
all nature lies gasping and parched under
the withering heat of a torrid sun, when
the pebbly beds of the little streams are
brown and dry, and the thirsty cattle low
plaintively in the sun-scorched pastures,
then suddenly, the south winds send a
long-drawn, whispering sigh through the
motionless tree-tops; the poplar leaves
begin to tremble and toss, and faster
and faster the thunder heads begin to roll
up and assemble, and rush together, with
low ominous mutterings.</p>
<p>The clouds, coppery-hued and black,
and full of menace, hang low, and almost
seem to touch the hills, rising winds chase
each other and catch up stray dead leaves
and débris, sending them whirling and
dancing in fantastic eddies; while the
startled swallows wheel low before the
rushing, mighty tumult of the approaching
storm.</p>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p57.jpg" alt="" width-obs="500" height-obs="458" /> <p class="caption">145. Another example of Columnar ice. Formation like vegetable roots</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p57a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="500" height-obs="467" /> <p class="caption">146. Columnar ice, found under peaty soil</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p57b.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="656" /> <p class="caption">147. Columnar ice, section shown in detail, largely magnified</p> </div>
<p>Nothing can compare in grandeur, to
the marshalling of Nature’s forces together
and the raging fury of a great thunder-storm.
Truly the roar of the thunder
may well be likened to Heaven’s artillery,
and no pyrotechnic display ever equals
that which the jagged, forked lightning
creates amid the inky, ominous clouds of
the heavens. And then the finale; the
low, distant, retreating growls of the passing
thunder, the gradual lifting of the clouds,
and then like magic, their leaden, ominous
curtains are swept aside, and the happy
sunshine is with us again, and the earth,
refreshed and purified by the grateful
shower, gasps no more in the throes of heat.</p>
<p>And how lovely is nature after such a
shower. How sweet and fresh the air,
and how each blade of grass, and all vegetation
sparkles and scintillates anew. The
little mountain torrent which trickled so
listlessly, just a mere silver thread among
its mossy stones, has gained new courage
and strength since the shower, and its
gurgling may plainly be heard as it now
rushes madly down the incline. The meadow
brook has overflowed its banks,
and formed a miniature lake, in which the
grateful cattle stand contentedly knee-deep.
All the birds rejoice, and the robins,
noisiest of them all, pause to plume afresh
their wet feathers, and pipe their peculiar
rain song; a distinct note of gratitude and
joy for the coming of the rain.</p>
<p>The rain, besides playing a most important
part in aiding all vegetation, is an
acknowledged and powerful agent in the
cleansing and purification of the atmosphere.
Foul air is dissipated, and dust
and particles which rise in clouds and
permeate the air we breathe, are beaten
to the earth and dissipated by the kindly
rain.</p>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p58.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="474" /> <p class="caption">148. Very great thunder-storm drops</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p58a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="298" /> <p class="caption">149. Rain from high cirro-stratus clouds</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p58d.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="202" /> <p class="caption">150. Rain from low nimbus clouds</p> </div>
<p>Storms which arise in pleasant summer
weather are frequently caused by the diurnal
breezes which ascend mountain slopes
causing sudden clouds to assemble, and
thunder-storms to follow. Violent thunder-storms
are caused by the intensely hot air
which arises from the earth in summer,
and which encounters the cooler air
descending.</p>
<p>Frequently “heat lightning” may be
observed flickering fitfully in the skies,
when there is no rain. When such is the
case, you may be assured that a storm
cloud hovers somewhere in that direction,
although it may not be visible, or its
thunder audible. Whenever the lightning
is brilliant and continuous the storm is
sure to be of a violent character, when
frequently the destructive bolts are fifty
miles away.</p>
<p>The rainbow, that wonderfully beautiful
bow of prismatic tints, which sometimes
throws its ethereal arch across the
heavens for a brief while, is caused by the
reflection of the sun’s rays shining upon
drops of rain, the colours being arranged
in definite order; red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, indigo and violet. The lunar
rainbow, which occasionally forms at night
when the moon shines, is not of frequent
occurrence, but very beautiful when it
does deign to show itself. Its colouring
is not nearly as distinct at the rainbow,
but ghostly, and of a pale-yellowish tint.
Frequently a double rainbow is seen after
a shower; this is but a reflection of the rainbow
proper, but indescribably beautiful.</p>
<p>In the coming of the rainbow we have
a Biblical symbol. It is spoken of in
Genesis, and was used as a token of the
Covenant; as a Divine promise to man,
that the earth should never again be
destroyed by flood.</p>
<p>There are numberless so-called signs,
which are considered reliable indications
of rain. Almost invariably a continuous
south wind will, in most localities, bring
in its wake rain in a few days. On the
contrary, a continuous north wind is liable
to dispel all rain signs for a time.</p>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p59.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="500" /> <p class="caption">151. Thunder and hail storm type</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p59a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="449" /> <p class="caption">152. From a great rain storm which lasted 15 hours</p> </div>
<p>A “mackerel sky,” that is, a sky covered
with a wide expanse of small silvery clouds,
round in shape, is another rather sure
indication of rain; salmon-coloured, leaden,
or silvery clouds are usually indications
of falling weather, and when at sunset
the clouds of the west are brightly coloured,
red or flame-coloured, afterwards followed
by lighter hues, streaking up from the
place where the sun disappeared, and
stretching far across the sky, finally converging
to a common point on the opposite
horizon, you may be quite certain that
somewhere within line of the sun, there is
a heavy storm brewing; although it may
be invisible, and hidden by the earth.</p>
<p>We know that in certain parts of the
earth the rain seldom falls. In Lima
(Peru), Thebes (Egypt), and in certain
sections of North Africa they very rarely
have rain. The presence of forests tends
to increase the rainfall. Over the ocean
it is always clear when the trade winds are
blowing steadily, while rains fall continuously
in the zone of calms.</p>
<p>Some countries are rarely free from rains;
in Hindustan, Brazil and Guadeloupe the
rain is almost continuous, while certain
localities are noted for prolonged seasons
of either drought or rain, which occur at
stated periods, as in California.</p>
<p>The benefits derived from the rain are
unlimited. After the visitation of a great
and prolonged drought, when lakes and
rivers and their many tributaries, the little
mountain torrents which feed them, are
dry for lack of rain; when the gardens
and all vegetation at last succumb and
shrivel for lack of moisture; when we
really endure great bodily privation,
and domestic animals suffer for lack of
water, then we may realise fully, what
a wise and necessary provision the rain is
to us.</p>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p60.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="439" /> <p class="caption">153. Thunder cloud</p> </div>
<div class="fig"><ANTIMG src="images/p60a.jpg" alt="" width-obs="600" height-obs="445" /> <p class="caption">154. Nimbus or low stratus clouds</p> </div>
<p>It seems therefore that there is always
a great promise and hope embodied in
the providential falling of the rain at such
a crisis; nothing can express the thought
I would convey more clearly than the
following beautiful lines:</p>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">“Hast thou forgotten God who gives the rain?</p>
<p class="t0">Plentiful and merciful the long showers pour</p>
<p class="t0">On parching field where dust and drouth were sore,</p>
<p class="t0">Yet, will thine eyes watch out the night again?</p>
</div>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">“What hope had earth gasping at yesternoon?</p>
<p class="t0">What hope hast thou whose comfort shall be soon.</p>
<p class="t0">To-morrow where the upland fields lay black,</p>
<p class="t0">Thou shalt go forth and look on life come back.</p>
<p class="t0">Harvest shall follow seed-time yet again.</p>
<p class="t0">Hast thou forgotten God who gives the rain?”</p>
<p class="lr">—<span class="sc">Earle.</span></p>
</div>
<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small">THE END</span></p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.