As
to the moon or a star, if its declination be unknown, but its bearing and
altitude being given, its declination and path may be found, and
therefore the time since its rising or before its setting; a most useful
piece of information to a traveller. Watches break, and compasses cannot
be used on horseback without stopping, and therefore a diagram of this
description, of which any number of copies can be traced out, may be of
use for rough purposes.
Other Signs of Direction.--Bearings by the Growth of Trees.--In exposed
situations and near the sea, the growth of trees is rarely symmetrical;
they betray by their bent heads and stunted branches the direction of the
prevalent influences most adverse to their growth. This direction is
constant over wide districts in a flat country, but cannot be equally
relied upon in a hilly one, where the mountains and valleys affect the
conditions of shade and shelter, and deflect the course of the wind.
Moss grows best where there is continuous damp, therefore it prefers that
side of a tree which affords the most suitable combination of exposure to
damp winds and shelter from the sun. When the winds do not differ
materially in dampness, the north side of the forest trees are the most
thickly covered with moss.
Bearings by the shape of Ant-hills.--That most accurate observer, Pierre
Huber, writes as follows concerning the nests of the yellow ants, which
are abundantly to be found in the Swiss Alps and in some other
mountainous countries.
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