A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar; Book

PREFACE. No science is more generally interesting than that which explains the common phenomena of life. V e see that salt and snow are both white, a rose red, leaves green, and the violet a deep purple but how few persons ever ask the reason why We know that a flute produces a musical sound, and a cracked bell a discordant one-that fire is hot, ice cold, and a candle luminous-that water boils when subjected to heat, and freezes from cold but when a child looks up into our face and asks us why -how many times is it silenced with a frown, or caIled very foolish for asking such silly questions The object of the present book is to explain about 2000 of these questions which are often more easily asked than answered in language so simple that a child may understand it, yet not so childish as to offend the. scientific. In order to secure the strictest accuracy in the answers, the most approved modern authors have been consulted, and each edition has been ubinitt ed to the revision of gentlemen of acknowledged reputation for scientific attainments. Sincere thanks are due to the REV. A. BATH P OWER R , I. A., and to RORER J T A RIE M S A NN, E SQ. M . . R . C . S., of Buxton, for their most careful revisions of the whole book, for many excellent hints, and useful additions. In conclusion, the almost unparalleled success of this little volume, of which 25,000 copies have been printed, since the year 1848, is an in controvertible proof of its acceptability , and has induced thc author to spare neither labor nor ex ense to render his it Guide to the Scientific Knowfedgo of Things Familiar inatruetive and amusing to the young, as well as to thoae of maturer life. To teachers of schools it may be advisable to state, that, as every question has been again and again submitted to a most rigid investigation, no material alterations will be made in future editions. A remarkable instance came before the author a few months since of the statement made in the early part of this preface. The conversation was about smoke-why it was black. and not whik like the fine dust of lime. A little child who was present, asked, Why is the kettle so black with smoke ZIer papa answered, Because it has been on the fire But urged the child what is the good of its being black 2 The gentleman replied, Silly child-you ask very foolish questions-sit down and hold your tongue. He might have read pp. 186, and 186, and answered tbc child more discreetly. ISIIE o R ff S er their revised edition of - this useful book, in full confidence that it will meet with an equal aud universal acceptance loth in families and schools, throughout this country. They believe it will be found to contain an amount of usefuI information never before collcctcd in B shape so convenient for study, and so easy for ref rence. SUBJECTS OF THE CHAPTERS. PART I.-HEAT. J PAan Introduction , 9 1.-The SUN a source of heat . . 10 11.-ELECTRIC a I s T ou Y r ce of heat. . . 11 11.-Thunder and lightning 11-36 111.-CI-IEMICAL ACTIOS B source of heat . 36 111.-Chomical d o n . . 36 IV.-Combustion . . 39 V.--Smoke and smoky chimneys 62 V1.-Lamps and candles . . 74 VI1.-Animal heat . . B3 VIII.-- ECHANIC A A C L TI ON it 80UrCC of beat 94 VIII.-Percussion . . . 94 1X.-Friction . . 97 X...Read More