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CHAPTER IV. 



Capillary Attraction. 



That very law which moulds a tear, 

 And bids it trickle from its source, 

 That law preserves the earth a sphere, 

 And guides the planets in their course. 



ROGERS. 



CONSIDERED in all its relations and bearings, 

 capillary attraction is one of the most important 

 processes in nature, and is immediately con- 

 nected with all the changes and modifications of 

 both living and dead matter. It is the force by 

 which solids and liquids are drawn and held 

 together; which causes plates of glass, wood, 

 metal, &c. to adhere with some force to the sur- 

 face of water and other liquids, when laid flat 

 upon them. It is by the force of capillary at- 

 traction, that the waters of the earth are conveyed 

 through its crust in opposition to that of gravity ; 

 for water is much lighter than the earthy and 

 rocky strata through which it descends ; and has 

 been found at the greatest depths to which 

 miners have penetrated, forming subterraneous 

 streams, which greatly augment after heavy 

 rains. During this transudation of water through 



