REFRIGERATION. 347 



the plain surface to the highest points of ele- 

 vation in the firmament, are afterwards re- 

 solved to a liquid state, and ultimately made to 

 assume the consolidated form of ice and of 

 snow ; the effects of which, on the whole face 

 of creation, are known to the most superficial 

 observer. I shall, proceed, in the next chap- 

 ter, to explore the nature and cause of fire, 

 of that matter distinguished from every other 

 species by the sensation of heat which it ex- 

 cites, in animated beings in general, and by the 

 expansion which it causes to common matter 

 in particular. 



