The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million
John Stuart Mill · en
All _bad radiators of heat_, such as polished metal surfaces, smooth
stones, and polished surfaces generally. Dew will be found to lie more
abundantly upon rough and woolly leaves than upon smooth ones.
356. _At what period of the night is the largest amount of dew usually
formed?_
It is generally supposed that dew is formed _most copiously_ in the
_mornings_ and _evenings_. But _such is not the case_. It is deposited
at all hours of the night, but _most plentifully after midnight_.
357. _Why is dew formed most plentifully after midnight?_
Because, as _radiation_ has been going on for some time, the
temperature of the earth, and of various bodies upon it, has been
_considerably reduced_.
[Verse: "Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of
heaven, who hath gendered it?"--JOB XXXVIII.]
358. _In what parts of the world is the maximum of dew formed?_
In warm lands near the sea, or in the vicinity of rivers or lakes,
as the localities of the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf the coast of
Coromandel, in Alexandria, and Chili.
359. _In what parts of the world is the minimum of dew formed?_
It is quite absent in arid regions, in the interior of continents, such
as Central Brazil, the Sahara, and Nubia.
360. _Why is dew seldom formed at sea?_
Because of the defective _radiating_ quality of the surface of _water_.
361. _Why is a heavy dew regarded as the precursor of rain?_
Because a heavy formation of dew indicates that the air is _saturated
with moisture_.
362. _What is hoar-frost?_
Hoar-frost is frozen dew.
363. _Why is hoar-frost said to foretell rain?_
Because it shows that the air is saturated with moisture, and the
temperature of the air being low, the vapours are _likely to condense_,
and produce _showers_.
364. _What is honey-dew?_
Honey-dew is the name applied to a _sweet and sticky moisture_
occasionally deposited upon the leaves of plants. It is, however, an
error to call it _dew_, as it is procured by a class of _insects_
termed _aphides_.
365. _What are fogs?_
Fogs are _clouds_ formed near the earth's surface_;_ but London fogs
are distinguished from clouds by the fact that they embrace in their
vaporous folds the _smoke_ and _volatile matters_ imparted to the air
by the operations of man. This is also the case with fogs generally
that arise near large towns.
[Verse: "Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of
dew?"--JOB XXXVIII.]
366. _Why are certain coasts liable to almost perpetual fogs?_
Because of local or geographical agencies which contribute to their
production. The coasts of California are almost constantly wrapped
in fog; and, almost as constantly, the western coast of the American
continent, as far south as Peru. Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and
Hudson's Bay, are all subject to dense and frequent fogs arising
from the condensation of vapour from the water flowing from the hot
Gulf-stream, coming in contact with the colder air.
367. _What are dry fogs?_