CHEMICAL ACTION. 31 



Q. Where does the heat come from ? 



A. It was in the water and lime 

 before ; but was in a latent state. 



Q. Was iliere heat in the cold water and lime, 

 before they were mixed together ? 



A. Yes. All bodies contain heat; 

 the coldest ice, as well as the hottest fire. 



Q. Is there HEAT even in ICE ? 



A. Yes. But it is latent, (i. e. not 

 perceptible to our senses).* 



Q. How do you know there is heat, if you 

 cannot perceive it ? 



A. Thus: Ice is 32 by the ther- 

 mometer ; but if ice be melted over a fire, 

 (though 140 of heat are thus absorbed,) 

 it will feel no hotter than it was before. 

 (i. e. it will be only 32, and not 172). 



Q. What becomes of the 140, which went into 

 the ice to melt it ? 



A. It is hidden in the water; or (to 

 speak more scientifically) it is stored up 

 in a latent state. 



Q. How much heat may be thus secreted or 

 made latent ? 



* Latent, from the Latin word, Lateo, (to lie hid.) 

 32, i. e. 32 degrees? 140, i. e. 140 degrees, &c. 



