SCIENCE OF COMMON THINGS. 175 



Colors most suitable for dresses. Why a negro never sunburns. 



1147* Why do we wear white linen and a black outer dress, if we want 

 to be warm f 



Because the black outer dress quickly absorbs heat 

 from the sun ; and the white linen (being a bad absorb- 

 ent) abstracts no heat from the warm body. 



1148 What colors are warmest for dresses? 



For outside garments black is the warmest, and then 

 such colors as approach nearest to black (as dark blue 

 and green). White is the coldest color for external 

 clothing. 



1149 Why are dark colors (for external wear) so much warmer than 

 light ones f 



Because dark colors absorb heat from the sun more 

 abundantly than light ones. 



1150 How can you prove that dark colors are warmer than light ones ? 



If a piece of black and a piece of white cloth were 

 laid upon snow, in a few hours the black cloth will 

 have melted the snow beneath / whereas the white cloth 

 will have produced little or no effect upon it at all. 



The darker any color is, the warmer it is, because it is a better absorb- 

 ent of heat. The order may be thus arranged : 1, black (warmest of all) ; 

 2, violet ; 3, indigo ; 4, blue ; 5, green ; 6, red ; 7, yellow ; and 8, white 

 (coldest of all). 



1151 Why does the black skin of a negro never sunburn or blister with 

 Hie hot sun? 



Because the black color absorbs the heat, conveys it 

 below the surface of the skin, and converts it into sen- 

 sible heat and perspiration. 



1153 Why does the white European skin blister and burn when 

 exposed to the hot sun f 



Because white will not absorb heat ; and therefore the 

 hot sun rests on the surface of the skin^. and burns it. 



1153 Why do most of the animals inhabiting the frigid zones have 

 white fur, hair, or feathers? 



Because white radiates and absorbs but little heat. 



1154 What relation exists between the power of bodies to absorb and 

 communicate heat? 



Those bodies which absorb heat freely, also part with 

 it most rapidly / that is, they are sooner heated and 

 more speedily cooled than other bodies. 



