A. The _dry skin_ prevents the _wind from penetrating to their body_; and as the _fur_ contains a _quantity of air_ between its hairs (which soon _becomes heated by the body_) the Laplander is clad in _a case of hot air, impervious to the cold and wind_. Q. _Why does a LINEN SHIRT feel COLDER than a COTTON ONE?_ A. _Linen is a much better conductor_ than cotton; and, therefore, (as soon as it touches the body) _it more rapidly draws away the heat_, and produces a sensation of cold. Q. _Why is the FACE COOLED by wiping the temples with a fine CAMBRIC HANDKERCHIEF?_ A. The fine fibres of the cambric have a _strong capillary attraction for moisture_; and are _excellent conductors of heat_: thus the moisture and heat are _both abstracted from the face_, and a sensation of coolness is produced. "Capillary attraction," i. e. _the attraction of a thread or hair_. The wick of a candle is wet with grease, because the melted tallow runs up the cotton from capillary attraction. Q. _Why would not a COTTON handkerchief do as well?_ A. The coarse fibres of cotton have much less capillary attraction, and are _nothing like such good conductors_ as linen: and, therefore, wiping the face with a _cotton handkerchief_, increases the sensation of warmth. CHAPTER XIV. 2.--ABSORPTION OF HEAT. Q. _What is the difference between CONDUCTING heat, and ABSORBING heat?_ A. To _conduct_ heat, is to _transmit it from one body to another_ through a conducting medium: to _absorb_ heat, is to _suck it up_, as a sponge sucks up water. Q. _Give me an example._ A. _Black cloth absorbs_, but does not _conduct heat_: thus, if black cloth be laid in the sun, _it will absorb the rays_ very rapidly; but if _one end of the black cloth_ be made hot, it would not _conduct the heat_ to the _other_ end. Q. _Are good CONDUCTORS of heat, good ABSORBERS also?_ A. No; every _good conductor of heat_ is a _bad absorber of it_; and _no good absorber of heat_ can be a _good conductor_ also. Q. _Is IRON a good ABSORBER of heat?_ A. No; _iron is a good conductor_, but a very _bad absorber_ of heat. Q. _Why do the FENDER and FIRE-IRONS (which lie upon it) remain COLD, although they are before a good fire?_ A. Because the metal fender and fire-irons have very _little capacity for absorbing heat_; although they are soon made hot (by conduction), when placed in _contact_ with the hot fire or stove. Q. _Why does a KETTLE boil faster, when the bottom and back are COVERED with SOOT?_ A. The _black soot absorbs heat_ very quickly from the fire, and the metal _conducts it to the water_. Q. _Why will not a NEW KETTLE boil so fast as an OLD one?_ A. Because the _bottom and sides_ of a new kettle are _clean and bright_; but in an _old_ kettle _are covered with soot_. Q. _Why would the KETTLE be SLOWER BOILING, if the BOTTOM and BACK were CLEAN and bright?_