54 THE ORIGIN OP CREATION. 







Thirdly, Heat produced by friction, where that atomic action 

 is induced by mechanical influences, as by the rubbing of two 

 solid bodies against each other. 



As regards the natural heat exhibited in our bodies, what 

 causes it? The human body, like every other production of 

 nature endowed with life, is a magnet ; and as in other magnets, 

 the force is exerted from the centre to either end. The stomach 

 being the centre of the body and the place where the food is 

 transformed into blood, for repairing the waste of the body and 

 increasing its growth the material is forced from thence in 

 both directions. "While therefore a certain amount of animal 

 heat is caused by the dissolving of the food in the stomach, and 

 the action and inter-action of the atoms, it is also increased by 

 the magnetic power of the body in forcing these into circulation. 

 We also increase the natural heat of our bodies by taking our 

 food warm. In cold climates, it may be said, the inhabitants 

 could not preserve life otherwise. 



Similar heat is produced by mixing sulphuric acid and water, 

 as already explained, and by the pouring of water on lime. 

 Great heat is the result in both of these cases without com- 

 bustion. Although heat is induced by water, it is kept within 

 certain limits of temperature by water also. Masons engaged 

 in labour at new buildings, may be seen warming their dinners 

 by placing their pitchers among lime and wet sand. 



Hot springs and geysers, furnish other examples of the same 

 action. At the Great Geysers in California, we find the ground 

 all around them completely burnt, and exhibiting the most 

 beautiful varieties of colour. Dozens of different kinds of 

 chemicals are found all over the place. Water and steam ooze 

 out under the feet, and from the sides of the ravine on either 



