CLOTH. METAL. 185 



from one body to another through a 

 conducting medium : to absorb heat, is 

 to suck it up, as a sponge sucks up water. 



Q. Give me an example. 



A. Black cloth absorbs, but does not 

 conduct heat : thus, if black cloth be laid 

 in the sun, it will absorb the rays very 

 rapidly ; but if one end of the black cloth 

 be made hot, it would not conduct the 

 heat to the other end. 



Q. Are good CONDUCTORS of heat, good 



ABSORBERS also ? 



A. No ; every good conductor of heat 

 is a bad absorber of it; and no good 

 absorber of heat can be a good conductor 

 also. 



Q. Is IRON a good ABSORBER of heat ? 



A. No ; iron is a good conductor, 

 but a very bad absorber of heat. 



Q. Why do the FENDER and FIRE-IRONS 

 (which lie upon it) remain COLD, although they are 

 before a good fire ? 



A. Because the metal fender and 

 fire-irons have very little capacity for 

 absorbing heat ; although they are soon 

 made hot (by conduction), when placed 

 in contact with the hot fire or stove. 



