

CHAP. ix. THE IMPORTANCE OF DUST. 85 



occurred, owing to the enormously increased amount of 

 dust thrown into the atmosphere as our country has be- 

 come more densely populated, and especially owing to 

 the vast increase of our smoke-producing manufactories. 

 It seems highly probable, therefore, that to increase the 

 wealth of our capitalist-manufacturers we are allowing 

 the climate of our whole country to be greatly deterio- 

 rated in a way which diminishes both its productiveness 

 and its beauty, thus injuriously affecting the enjoyment 

 and the health of the whole population, since sunshine is 

 itself an essential condition of healthy life. When this 

 fact is thoroughly realized we shall surely put a stop to 

 such a reckless and wholly unnecessary production of in- 

 jurious smoke and dust. 



In conclusion, we find that the much-abused and all- 

 pervading dust, which, when too freely produced, de- 

 teriorates our climate and brings us dirt, discomfort, and 

 even disease, is, nevertheless, under natural conditions, 

 an essential portion of the economy of nature. It gives 

 us much of the beauty of natural scenery as due to vary- 

 ing atmospheric effects of sky, and cloud, and sunset 

 tints, and thus renders life more enjoyable; while, as an 

 essential condition of diffused daylight and of moderate 

 rainfalls combined with a dry atmosphere, it appears to 

 be absolutely necessary for our existence upon the earth, 

 perhaps even for the very development of terrestrial, as 

 opposed to aquatic life. The overwhelming importance 

 of the small things, and even of the despised things, of 

 our world has never, perhaps, been so strikingly brought 

 home to us as in these recent investigations into the wide- 

 spread and far-reaching beneficial influences of Atmos- 

 pheric Dust. 



