Ancient man attempted to change the weather by using magic. While experience taught him this was impossible, __1__ he tried to forecast weather conditions. Even earlier in __2__ 1000 B.C.there were weather seers in Babylon----and priests clever enough to denounce as frauds those predicted __3__ the weather a year in the advance. Some forecasters used __4__ methods that seemed to take no connection with the actual __5__ factors controlled the weather. Chickens and other animals __6__ were sacrificed and their intestines poked to find signs indicating rain and drought. Somewhat more scientific were __7__ predictions based on vegetation:"Onion's skin very thin ,mild weather coming in. Onion's skin thick and tough, coming weather is cold and rough." Insects and animals were also __8__ favorite weather clues: "Before the glowworm lights his __9__ lamp , then the air is always damp ." "If spiders their cobwebs forsake , the weather will for certain break ." "If frogs remained in pools , the weather will be fine . If they were seen on rocks, __10__ rain and cold were due." It's difficult to say whether this rhyme should be taken seriously : " Hark , I hear the asses bray . Me thinks we'll have some rain today ."
（责任编辑：liushengbao）
