PREFACE. 



Of all science, none is more generally interesting 

 than that which explains the common phenomena 

 of life. We see that salt and snow are both 

 white, a rose red, leaves green, and the violet a 

 deep purple; but how few persons ever ask the 

 reason why! We know that a flute produces a 

 musical sound, and a cracked bell a discordant 

 one that fire is hot, ice cold, and a candle 

 luminous that water boils when subjected to heat, 

 and freezes from cold ; but when a child looks up 

 into our face and asks us "why," how many times 

 is it silenced with a frown, or called " very 

 foolish for asking such silly questions !" The 

 object of the present book is to explain about 2000 

 of these " silly questions" (which are often more 

 easily asked than answered) in language so simple 

 that a child may understand it, yet not so 

 childish as to offend the scientific ; and in order 

 that the answers may be strictly correct, not only 

 the most approved modern authors have been 

 consulted, but the manuscript has been submitted 

 sheet by sheet to the revision of two gentlemen 

 of acknowledged reputation for scientific attain- 

 ments. To the REV. A. BATH POWER, M. A. 

 especially, great obligation is due, for a careful 

 revision of the whole manuscript, for many excel 

 lent hints, and useful additions. In conclusion, 



