86 THE SEASON WHY. 



" For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth ; likewise to the small rain, 

 and to the great rain of his strength." JOB xxxvir. 



the water prevents the cold air from continuing to draw off the 

 caloric of the water. 



343. Why has this exceptional law of the expansion oj 

 water, when freezing, been ordained? 



Because, but for this, deep waters might be frozen through theii 

 whole depth. This would destroy the myriads of fish and other 

 living things that inhabit the water. Parts of the earth, now clad 

 in verdure, would be lost in eternal winter ; and even in the most 

 temperate zones it would take months to effect a thaw ; and thawing 

 would be attended with such floods and subterranean commotions 

 as are terrible to contemplate. 



344. Why are bed-room windows sometimes covered with 

 crystalline forms on winter mornings T 



Because the vapour of the breaths of the inmates has condensed 

 upon the window-panes, and formed water. The water has frozen 

 with the cold, and exhibits the beautiful crystalline forms into which 

 its particles are arranged. 



[Here we have another domestic illustration of the great laws of nature. It 

 is the same law which locks the artic regions in ice and decorates our window- 

 panes. This beautiful phenomenon is usually witnessed by us on frosty 

 mornings when we rise from our beds. It has a story which the observer of 

 nature may read in its sparkling eyes. It tells that, although without the air is 

 biting cold, God has wrapped a mantle around the face of nature to keep it 

 from injury ; and that the earth and the waters, though looking chilled and 

 dead, have still the warmth of life preserved in their bosoms.] 



345. What is dew? 



Dew is watery vapour diffused in the air, condensed by coming 

 in contact with bodies colder than the atmosphere. 



346. Why does the air become charged with watery vapour ? 

 Because, during the day, under the influence of the sun's rays, 



vapours are exhaled from all the moist and watery surfaces of the 

 earth. These vapours are held in suspension in the atmosphere 

 until, by a change in the temperature of the earth, and of bodies on 

 the surface of the earth, they are condensed, and deposited in 

 translucid drops. 



347. What causes the decline of temperature that favour* 

 the deposition of deys ? 



