STUDIES IN NATURE 



would thaw and melt, but the great mass of ice 

 far down underneath could hardly be reached 

 by the hottest sun, and might not disappear all 

 through the summer. 



This expansion of water when it freezes 

 accounts for the state of the roads and paths 

 after a frost ; it also assists the breaking up of 

 rocks and of the soil ; for the frozen water 

 pushes the particles apart and makes the cre- 

 vices bigger, so that the air and rain can after- 

 wards get farther in to carry on their work of 

 destruction. 



Ice and snow both play a most useful part 

 in keeping the ground, or the water below them, 

 from losing any more heat. This protects the 

 animal and vegetable life from the extreme cold, 

 and it is a good thing in many ways for the 

 country when a heavy fall of snow comes before 

 a severe frost sets in. 



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