428 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



ticity, and porosity or absorbent powers ; and the special influ 

 ence of this last circumstance upon the character of an arable 

 soil. 



The following are all subjects of study : bodies in the mass : 

 the weight of bodies ; means of determining the density of bodies 

 and their specific gravity ; the physical properties of the air ; of 

 atmospheric pressure ; and of the construction and use of the 

 barometer. 



The study of hydrostatics ; the pressure of liquids in their 

 reservoirs, and against dikes and embankments ; hydraulics ; 

 capillary attraction ; the use of siphons and pumps. 



The study of heat in all its various phenomena. Its effects 

 upon solid and liquid bodies, and the changes which it makes in 

 their condition ; the phenomena of fusion, ebullition, and evap 

 oration ; of vapors; of the hygrometer or measurer of moisture, 

 and the utility of the instrument ; the conducting powers ol&quot; 

 bodies ; of metals in particular ; of free or radiating heat : appli 

 cation of heat to furnaces or kilns ; laws of cold applied to 

 bodies ; power of emitting and of absorbing cold ; measure of 

 heat ; means of determining the mean temperature of any place ; 

 influence of heat and cold upon vegetation ; means of preserving 

 certain vegetables from frost ; construction and use of the 

 thermometer. 



Meteorology. Explication of the phenomena of dew ; of 

 white frosts ; of clouds ; of rain ; of snow ; their various influ 

 ences upon harvest, and the whole subject of climate. 



Study of light. Progress of light in space; laws of its reflec 

 tion ; laws of its refraction ; action of light upon vegetation. 

 The subject of vision. The polarization of light ; the explica 

 tion of the rainbow, and other phenomena of light ; the prism. 



Study of electricity. Conductors of electricity ; distribution 

 of the electric fluid in nature ; power of the electric rods or 

 points ; electricity developed by the contact of bodies ; of gal 

 vanic piles ; their construction and uses. Atmospheric elec 

 tricity ; its origin ; the formation of thunder clouds ; action of 

 electricity upon vegetation : of lightning ; of thunder ; of hail. 



Chemistry. Simple bodies ; compound bodies ; difference 

 between combination and mixture ; atomical attraction ; cohe 

 sion ; affinity ; what is intended by chemical agents. Explana 

 tion of the chemical nomenclature, and of chemical terms. 



