456 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE SEA, AND ITS METEOROLOGY. 



scanty supply of latent heat for liberation in the cloud region. 

 As a consequence of this, the winds would have less motive power, 

 and the whole climatic arrangements of our planet would be 

 different from what they are. 



893. We may note also another peculiarity as to the difference 



The radiating in the dii^cct hcat-absorbinff and radiating proper- 

 powers or eaitn, air, .. p ,-, •]• -J- 1-ii 

 and water compared, tics 01 sca, land, and air : it IS one wnicn presents 



the atmosphere in the light of a regulator between the land on one 

 hand, and the heating powers of the sun on the other. It is 

 suggestive also of other benign compensations and lovely offices in 

 the physical machinery of oiu' planet : both land and water receive 

 more heat from the sun than they radiate again ; but the atmo- 

 sjDhere receives less heat direct from the sun than it radiates off 

 again into space : as the heat comes from the sun, part of it is 

 absorbed by the atmosphere ; but the largest portion of it is im- 

 pressed upon the land and water ; from them a portion passes off 

 into the atmosphere by conduction, while another portion is 

 radiated directly off into the realms of space. What becomes of the 

 remaiuder ? Let us inquire, for there is a remainder, and unless 

 means for its escape were provided, the land and water, especially 

 the latter, would continue to grow warmer and warmer, and so 

 produce confusion in the terrestrial economy. The remainder of 

 this heat, being that which is neither radiated by sea and land 

 directly off into space, nor imparted to the air by conduction from 

 them, is absorbed in the processes of evaporation ; it is tlien de- 

 livered to the atmosphere latent in the vesicles of vapour, to be 

 set free in the cloud region, rendered sensible and imparted to the 

 upper air, whence it is sent off by radiation into the " emptiness of 

 space." Thus the air with its actinometry presents itself in the 

 light of a thermal adjustment, by which the land and sea are pre- 

 vented from becoming seething hot ; and by which they are enabled 

 to perform their wonderful offices with certainty and regularity. 



894. It is cm^ious to think that this heat which we have been 

 A reflection concern- Contemplating, now as latent in the clouds above, now 

 iug heat. as scnsiblo in the waters below, comes from the same 

 source whence originally came the heat which has been packed away 

 in seams of coal and stored in the bowels of tlie earth for ages and 

 ages, to be called forth by man at will for his o^vn comfort, pleasure, 

 and convenience ; that this protean thing is the agent which con- 

 trols sea and winds, and they it ; that it is it which has lifted up 

 the mountains ; — which clothes the world with beauty, and keeps the 



