BY FREEZING. 113 



in a state of intense concentration. In like manner, 

 even the atmospheric air, which is always held in solu- 

 tion, is rejected, and hence the reason why all the ice 

 which forms upon still ponds is full of air-bubbles, while 

 the ice which is produced in agitated water is perfectly 

 free from them. This in itself is a remarkable condition, 

 the entire bearing of which is not clearly understood ; 

 but a still more singular fact has been discovered in 

 intimate connection with the rejection of all matter from 

 a freezing solution. Water, which in this way is freed 

 entirely of air, will not boil at 212 F., the ordinary 

 boiling point of water. 



If a mass of ice formed in the manner described is 

 placed in a vessel, and being just covered with a film of 

 oil, to prevent the absorption of air, is melted over a 

 lamp or fire, and the heat continued, it will, so far from 

 being converted into steam at 212, continue to increase 

 in temperature up to 270 or more, and then burst into 

 ebullition with sucK explosive violence as to rend the 

 vessel in which it is confined. 



From this experiment we learn that did water exist 

 in any other condition than that in which we find it 

 even with the apparently simple difference of containing 

 no air it would not be safe to employ it in any culinary 

 or manufacturing operation, since its use would be fol- 

 lowed by explosions as dangerous as those of gunpowder. 

 Such researches as these prove to us the admirable 

 adaptation of all things to their especial ends the beau- 

 tiful adjustment of the balance of forces throughout 

 creation. 



The refinements of Grecian philosophy saw, without 

 the aids of inductive science, that the outward vesture of 

 nature covered a host of mysterious agencies to which 

 its characteristics were directly due. In their dream of 

 the four elements, fire, the external and visible form of 

 heat, was regarded as the cause of vitality, and the 

 disposer of every organised and unorganised condition 



