10 



NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. 



[ Lesson III. 



bodies by which he is surrounded, how can 

 we obtain the knowledge we reqii : 



P. From the experience of philo- 

 sophers, who have observed and experi- 

 mented upon the many and various bodies 

 around them, and left their knowledge to 

 us. Galileo was the first to test theories 

 by practical experiments, and Lord Bacon 

 showed that this was the only method of 

 acquiring a knowledge of the laws of 

 nature. 



21. 7*. Where can the recorded ex- 

 perience of philosophers be found ? 



P. In works upon Natural Philosophy, 

 in which the nature and properties of 

 bodies, the laws which govern them, and 

 the phenomena of nature are explained. 



22. T. As bodies differ materially one 

 from another, the comprehension of the 

 nature of their individual properties appears 

 to be almost impossible. 



P. So it would be, if there were not 

 general properties which we observe to 

 exist in all bodies, whatever other differences 

 they exhibit. Thus, it is essential to the 

 existence of a body that it possess the 

 power of extension, occupy a limited space, 

 and be impenetrable ; but in addition to 

 these properties, without which we cannot 

 form any idea of matter, there are other 



properties which we observe, .MS divisibility, 

 extensibility, compressibility, porosity, in- 

 ertia, and gravity. 



23. T. Can you always re-cognise these 

 properties in bodies ? 



P. Yes ; some arc essential to the 

 existence of a body, others are not, as I 

 stated before. 



2-t. T. How do you expect to under- 

 stand all the phenomena that occur when 

 expcrMting upon bodies ? 



studying Natural Philosophy. 



GENERAL QUESTIONS ON LESSON II. 



1. What is the object of Natural Phi- 

 losophy, and to what purposes is it applied ? 



2. What is meant by a natural law ? 

 8. What is the use of experiments ? 



1. What is essential to the existence of 

 a body ? 



5. Do all bodies possess peculiar cha- 

 racteristic properties ? 



[The pupil should be required to state the pro- 

 perties of various bodies in a concise manner 

 Example : Lead is solid, heavy, soft, mal- 

 leable, deficient in tenacity, and readily 

 fusible. Water is fluid, inodorous, clear, and 

 tasteless. Carbonic acid is gaseous, colour- 

 less, pungent, insoluble in water, and acid- 

 ulous, &c.J 



LESSON III. 



HALLAM learned from the bogk on Natural Philosophy that the pedlar-astrologer 

 lent him, many of the laws of nature and their application, and by reading, reflection, 

 and observation, he was enabled to add much to his store of knowledge, and apply his 

 experience in such a manner, that he not only enriched himself, but benefit ted his 

 neighbours. The only source from whence we can derive our knowledge of nature is 

 the perception of the senses, practical experience and observation ; the facts observed 

 and collected are arranged, and inferences drawn cither from analogy or induction ; but 

 we derive all the certain and accurate knowledge of the laws of nature from the latter. 

 Having mastered certain points, his next object was to apply his experience, and this 

 he did so effectually that he drained the marshy lands, and made the mountain streams 

 move machinery. We trust our pupils will all endeavour to be Hallams. 



QUESTIONS. 



25. T. You have said that one of the 

 properties of matter was divisibility. Now, 

 do you think that there is any limit to this ; 



divisible, being capable of division into 

 smaller and still smaller portions ; and, pro- 

 vided the instruments of division are fine 

 thn.t is to say, can it be infinitely divided ? | enough, there is no limit as far as our 

 P. As far as we know, all bodies are j senses arc concerned. Yet, as all particles 



