462 THE FARMER AT HOME. 



of wheels. If the radius exceeds the height of that part of the horse 

 to which the traces are attached, the line of traction will be inclined 

 to the horizon, and part of the power will be exerted in pressing the 

 wheel to the ground. Besides, the circumference of the wheel might 

 be imagined of such extent as almost to resemble, in its contact with 

 the ground, a flat surface ; in which case, the effect would approx- 

 imate the dragging one flat surface upon another one. The best 

 average size of wheels is in the range of six feet in diameter. 



WIG AN WELL. About a mile from Wigan, in Lancashire, 

 England, is a spring, the water of which burns like oil. On apply- 

 ing a lighted candle to the surface, a large flame is suddenly produced, 

 and burns vigorously. A dishful of water having been taken up at 

 the part whence the flame issues, and a lighted candle held to it, the 

 flame goes out ; notwithstanding which the water in this part boils 

 and rises up like water in a pot on the fire, but does not feel warm 

 on introducing the hand. What is still more extraordinary, on 

 making a dam, and preventing the flowing of fresh water to the 

 ignited part, that which was already there having been drained away, 

 a burning candle being applied to the surface of the dry earth, at the 

 same point where the water before burned, the fumes take fire, and 

 burn with a resplendent light, the cone of the flame ascending a foot 

 and a half from the surface of the earth. It is not discolored, like 

 that of sulphurous bodies, neither has it any manifest smell, nor do 

 the fumes, in their ascent, betray any sensible heat. The latter 

 unquestionably consists of inflammable air, or hydrogen gas ; and it 

 ought to be observed that the whole of the country about Wigan for 

 the compass of several miles, is underlaid with coal. This phenom- 

 enon may therefore be referred to the same cause which occasioned 

 the dreadful explosion of Felling Colliery ; but in the present case, 

 this destructive gas, instead of being pent up in the bowels of the 

 earth, accompanies the water in its passage to the surface. 



WILD BOAR. A ferocious and formidable animal of the forest. 

 He is always found of an iron gray, inclining to black ; his snout is 

 much longer than that of the tame hog ; his tusks also are larger, 

 some of them being seen almost a foot long. When he is come to a 

 state of maturity, he walks the forest fearless, dreading no single 

 creature. He does not seek the lion to attack, but will not fly at his 

 approach. We are told of a combat of a lion and a wild boar, in a 

 meadow near Algiers, which continued for a long time with sur- 

 prising obstinacy. At last, both were seen to fall by the wounds they 

 had given each other ; and the ground all about them was covered 

 with their blood. When this creature aims at the hunter nothing 

 will avail but courage arid agility ; if the hunter flies for it, he is 

 surely overtaken and killed. If the boar comes straight up, he is to 

 be received at the point of the spear ; but if he makes doubles and 

 windings, he is to be watched very cautiously, for he will attempt 



