Q. _Why is it difficult to wash in SALT WATER?_ A. Because salt water contains _muriatic acid_; and the _soda of soap_ combines with the _muriatic acid of the salt water_, and produces a cloudiness. Q. _Why does a BLACK HAT turn RED at the SEA SIDE?_ A. The _muriatic acid of the sea-water_ disturbs the _gallic acid of the black dye_, and turns it _red_. Q. _Of what is SOAP made?_ A. Of kelp (or the ashes of sea-weed dried and burnt in a pit) mixed with oil or fat. YELLOW SOAP is made of whale-oil, soda, and resin. SOFT SOAP is made of oil and potash. HARD SOAP of oil and soda. Q. _Why does WATER CLEAN dirty LINEN?_ A. Because the _oxygen_ of the water attaches itself to the _stains of the linen_, and _dissolves_ them; as oxalic acid dissolves ink spots. Q. _Why does SOAP greatly INCREASE the cleansing power of water?_ A. 1st--Because soap _increases the oxygen_ of the water: and 2ndly--It _neutralizes the grease_ of the things washed. Q. _Why is RAIN WATER SOFT?_ A. Because it has _not come in contact with earths and minerals_. Q. _Why is it MORE EASY to WASH with SOFT water than with HARD?_ A. Because it unites freely with the soap, _dissolving_ it instead of _decomposing it_, as hard water does. Q. _Why do WOOD ASHES make HARD water SOFT?_ A. 1st--Because the _carbonic acid of the wood ashes_ combines with the _sulphate of lime in the hard water_, and converts it into _chalk_: and 2ndly--The _sulphuric acid of the water_ combines with the _potash of the wood ashes_, and prevents it from neutralizing the oily matter of the soap. Q. _Why has RAIN water such an UNPLEASANT SMELL, when it is collected in a rain water tub or tank?_ A. Because it is impregnated with _decomposed organic matter_, washed from roofs, trees, or the casks in which it is collected. Q. _Why does WATER MELT SUGAR?_ A. Because very minute particles of water _insinuate themselves into the pores_ of the sugar, and force the crystals _apart from each other_. Q. _Why does WATER MELT SALT?_ A. Because very minute particles of water insinuate themselves into the _pores of the salt_, and force the crystals _apart from each other_. Q. _Why does melted SUGAR or SALT give a FLAVOUR to the WATER?_ A. Because the sugar or salt (being disunited into very minute pieces) _floats about the water_, and mixes with _every part_. Q. _Why does HOT water melt sugar and salt QUICKER than COLD water?_ A. 1st--Because the _heat_ of the water entering the pores of the sugar or salt, _opens a passage for the water_: and 2ndly--The _particles of hot water_ being _smaller_ than those of cold, can _more readily penetrate_ the pores of salt or sugar. Q. _Why is SEA-water SALT?_ A. 1st--Because it contains _mines of salt_ at the bottom of its bed: 2ndly--It is impregnated with _bituminous matter_, which is brackish: and 3rdly--It contains many _putrid substances_, which increase its brackishness.