IN PHYSICS. 217 



upper surface of the water, when one looks down into it, 

 as a concave lens to minify objects ; and the upper sur- 

 face of the water, when one looks up at it, as a total 

 reflector of the light. These facts, together with the 

 phenomenon of refraction, as shown in the apparent 

 breaking of the handle where it enters the water, will 

 account for all the curious modifications which may be 

 noticed. The experiment is worth hours of examina- 

 tion. 



29. When a star is near the horizon, does it seem higher 

 or lower than its true place? 



It seems higher, since the rays of light are bent 

 downward to the eye, and the object is seen in the line 

 of the ray as it enters that organ. 



30. Why can we not see a rainbow at midday ? 



Because the sun is not in the right position. To pro- 

 duce the ordinary rainbow it must be toward the eastern 

 or western horizon. 



31. What conclusion do we draw from the fact that 

 moonlight shows the same dark lines as sunlight / 



That its light has the same source as that of the sun, 

 and is, indeed, sunlight. 



32. Why does the bottom of a ship seen tinder water 

 appear flatter than it really is ? 



Because, by refraction, the bottom of the ship is 

 apparently elevated above its true place. 



33. Of what shape does a round body appear in water? 



It appears to be flattened ; and hence a round body 

 looks like an oval one. 



