THE EEASON WI1Y. 89 



Out of whose womb came the ice ? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath 

 gendered it ?" JOB xxxvm. 



358. In what parts of the world is the maximum of dew 

 formed ? 



In warm lands near the sea, or in the vicinity of rivers or lakes, 

 as the localities of the Bed Sea, the Persian Gulf the coast of 

 Coromandel, in Alexandria, and Chili. 



359. In what parts of the world is the minimum of dew 

 formed ? 



It is quite absent in arid regions, in the interior of continents, 

 such as Central Brazil, the Sahara, and Nubia. 



360. Why is dew seldom formed at sea ? 



Because of the defective radiating quality of the surface of 

 water. 



361. Why is a heavy dew regarded as the precursor of rain ? 

 Because a heavy formation of dew indicates that the air is 



saturated with moisture. 



362. What is hoar-frost ? 

 Hoar-frost is frozen dew. 



363. Why is hoar-frost said to foretell rain ? 



Because it shows that the air is saturated with moisture, and 

 the temperature of the air being low, the vapours are likely to 

 condense, and produce showers. 



364. What is honey-dew ? 



Honey-dew is the name applied to a sweet and sticky moisture 

 occasionally deposited upon the leaves of plants. It is, however, 

 an error to call it dew, as it is procured by a class of insects termed 

 aphides. 



365. What are fogs? 



Fogs are clouds formed near the earth's surface ; but London 

 fogs are distinguished from clouds by the fact that they embrace 

 in their vaporous folds the smoke and volatile matters imparted to 

 the air by the operations of man. This is also the case with fogs 

 generally that arise near large towns. 



