76 THE SEASON WHY. 



1 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered : the Lord is precious 

 and full of compassion." PSALSI CXL. 



Because they contain no hydrogen to produce flame, and assist 

 combustion. 



A new plan of kindling fires has lately been recommended. Coals are to bo 

 laid in the bottom of the fire-place to a considerable depth*, then the paper and 

 wood are to be laid on, and then a little coals and cinders over them. Tin's 

 plan of " laying in " the fire is precisely the reverse of that which has been 

 pursued for many years. The theory is, that when the coals in the bottom are 

 ignited, a more even combustion is kept up, whilst the smoke and gas which 

 would otherwise escape, and become as so much waste fuel, is burnt up, and 

 produces heat. Wo have heard the plan strongly recommended by persons who 

 nave tried it, and who testify to the great economy ef fuel to which it 

 conduces. 



CHAPTER XV. 



294. Why does paper ignite more readily than wood ? 

 Because its texture is less dense than that of wood ; its particles 



are therefore more readily heated and decomposed. 



295. But if articles of loose texture are lad conductors of 

 heat, ivhy do they so easily ignite ? 



The fact that they are bad conductors assists their ignition. 

 The heat which would pass from particle to particle of the dense 

 substance of iron, and be conducted away, accumulates in the 

 interspaces of paper, and ignites it. 



296. Why does wood ignite less readily than paper ? 

 Because its substance is denser than that of paper ; it therefore 



requires a higher degree of heat to inflame its substance. 



297. Why does wood, ivhen ignited, burn longer than 

 paper ? 



Because, being a denser substance, it submits a larger number 

 of particles, within a given space, to the action of the heat, and 

 the formation of gases. 



298. Why do we, in lighting afire .first lay in vaper, then 

 wood, and lastly coals f 



