«A leech kept in a phial or bottle, partly filled with water, will indicate approaching change in the weather. Place on a window-ledge an eight-ounce phial containing a leech and about six ounces of water, and watch it daily. When the weather continues serene and beautiful, the leech will lie motionless at the bottom of the phial, rolled in a spiral form. When it begins to rain at noon, or a little before or after, the leech will be found at the top of its lodging, where it remains until the weather becomes settled. When wind approaches, the leech gallops about its limpid habitation with great liveliness, seldom resting until the wind becomes violent. When a thunder-storm is about to appear, the animal seeks a lodgment above the level of the water, displays great uneasiness, and moves about in convulsive-like threads. In clear frost, as in fine summer weather, it will lie constantly at the bottom; whereas in snowy weather, as in rain, it dwells at the very mouth of the phial. The observer should cover the mouth of the phial with a piece of linen, and change the water every week or two.»