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resemblance cannot be traced upon paper, because the edges are so
ill-defined. It may also be called the ' Flat Cloud.'
Nimbus is the heavy-looking, soft, shapeless cloud, from which
rain is falling. Whatever shape a cloud may have retained previous
to rain falling from it—at the moment of its change from vapour to
water, it softens in appearance, and becomes the • Nimbus,' or
' Rain Cloud.'
Cumulus is the hard-edged cloud, or cloud with well-defined
edges; whose resemblance can be accurately traced on paper. This
cloud is not, generally speaking, so large as the Stratus or Nimbus,
aud appears to be a compact mass of either the former or latter, or
of both. It may also be called the ' Heap Cloud.'
These four classifications of clouds wiU not, however, suffice to
describe exactly the appearance of the sky at all times. More minute
distinctions are required, for which the follovring may be used :—
Cirro-stratus—signifying a mixture of Cirrus and Stratus.
Cirro-cumulus—Cirrus and Cumulus.
Cumulo-stratus—signifying a mixture of Cumulus and Stratus.
Wliich terms may be rendered more explanatory of the precise
kind of cloud, by using the augmentative termination onus, or the
diminutive, itus. Thus: — Cirronus, Cirritus ; Cirrono-stratus ;
Cirrito-stratus ; Cirrono-cumulus, Cirrito-cumulus ; Stratonus, Stratitus;
Cumulonus, CumuHtus; Cumulono-stratus, Cumulito-stratus.
Should these be found insufficient to convey distinct ideas of every
variety of clouds, the second word may be augmented or diminished,
thus : Cirrono-stratitus, &c.
These terms may be abbreviated for common use by WTiting only
the first letters of each word; allowing one letter to represent the
diminutive, two letters the ordinary, or middle degree, and three
letters the augmentative. As Cirrus and Cumulus begin with the
same letter, it will be necessary to make a distinction between them
by taking two, three, and four letters, respectively, of Cumulus :
thus, C., Ci., Cir.; S., St., Str.; N., Ni, Nim.: Cu., Cum., Cumu.
Suppose it were desired to express Cumulito-stratoni, C.-Str. would
be sufficient, &c.
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