182 BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



lies also are covered over with corn ; they shout for 

 joy, they also sing." Nay, the very manner in which 

 this blessing is made to descend, claims at once our 

 admiration and gratitude; for, in general, the rain 

 descends in gentle showers, but, in the case of thun- 

 der, there is an exception, when it pours down with 

 impetuosity and in torrents ; but let it be remarked, 

 that here it acts the part of a life-preserver ; for, when 

 once wet, our clothes become excellent conductors 

 to carry off the electric fluid to the earth. 



Even frost and snow have their uses. Hail is 

 known to cool the air in summer; and experience 

 has demonstrated, that " nature could not give a bet- 

 ter covering than snow to secure the corn, the plants 

 and trees, from the effects of cold in winter; and if 

 a frost succeeds after a ploughed field has been well 

 watered by the autumnal rains, the particles of the 

 earth dilute and separate, and the spring then com- 

 pletes the making the earth light, moveable, and fit 

 to receive the kindly influence of the sun and fine 

 weather." 



Water-spouts at sea seem to proceed from the 

 same cause as whirlwinds upon land, and if these 

 serve the purpose of carrying up the superabundance 

 of the jelectric fluid from the earth to the atmosphere, 

 as is with good reason supposed, their utility, in the 

 economy of nature, must be apparent. 



With regard to those illusory appearances that 

 \ve behold in the heavens, do they not teach us in a 

 language plain, evident, and forcible, how easily we 

 may be deceived by our senses, and of the conse- 



