The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-03-28
Causes Of tAe Heat Of the Earth.

The sun is undoubtedly, one OF the
principle causes, of the heat Of this
globe, and the warmth of particular
place, is owing to its relative position
to the sun. When, he is on the south
ern side of the earth, the inhabitants
of the north parts have not so much
warmth as when he approaches the
north pole. The same thing happens
in the southern parts of the earth,
when the sun is towards the north.
In those climates where the the sun is
almost vertical, the cold is never so in
tense, as to freeze the rivers and lakes,
the heat being very considerable in
those regions. 1t becomes also very
fervent when the sun continues long
above the horizon, and his rays fall for
length of time upon the same place.
Hence it is that towards the poles,
where the days are very long, the heat
in certain countries, is sometimes ex-
tremely intense. From all these cir
cumstances it appears that the sun, and
his relative position to the earth, is one
of the chief causes of the heat in open
air. But this is not the only cause, for
if this were the case, the heat of every
summer would be equal, and the tenn
perature of countries in the same eli
mate, should be always exactly the
same. But neither of these is the case
for it is observed that upon the highest
mountains, where even there are spa.
cious plains, and upon these mountains
other hills and more plains, it is much
colder then in the lowlands and in the
valleys. Even under the line, if we
ascend from plain, where the heat is
scarcely supportable, up mountain
several hundred feet high, we shall ex.
perience the most intense cold, and en-.
ter a region of snow and ice. 1t has
also been remarked in winter, when,
during the day, the cold has been very
severe, it sometimes sensibly diminish
es toward midnight, and then becomes
temperate, although the suns rays do
not impart warmth to the atmosphere
This will prove then that there may be
warmth in the air, that is not immedi
ately produced by the sun. There are
substances which emit sparks and take
fire by friction and percussion. The
axletrees of wheals not sufficiently
creased, will take fire when the car
riages are rolled with great rapidity
Other substances, will become warm anG
enkindle, when mixed together. If /:
certain quantity of water, be poured
upon truss of hay or straw, degree
of warmth will be produced. Bodie:
which undergo a degree of putrifac
ton, and of fermentation, often acquire
an increase of temperature. Even il
the air, the motion of certain matter
may occasion mixtures, solution, ant
combinations, which produce a grea
degree of heat. Thus we may at one,
conceive how heat may be produced il
open, air. AT first the sun is the prin
ciple cause of il; to heat which pro
ceeds from this body are joined, tina
of several living creature, and com
bustible matters, that which comes GU
1of the bowels of the earth, from tn
depths of the seas, and from the warn
mineral spring. This heat is ofte1
much increased, by the fermentation
that different bodies undergo, eithe
upon the surface OF the earth, or il
the upper regions of the atmosphere
where they produce warm, exhalations
] When, therefore, the particles of bodie
j which float in the lower atmosphere
and which are capable of reeeivin
I and retaining heat, are warmed, an,
have not been cooled or dispersed b
wind and rain, their heat gradually il
creases till Il becomes intense; an
diminishes, when any of the abov
causes cease toact. All these arrange
ments, are worthy of the wisdom an
: goodness of God they are benefci;
: to all parts of the inhabitable worlt
and every climate enjoys; all the haI
piness, of which it is susceptible. BIZ
we who live in temperate climat
most sensibly experience the provider
tial and guardian care of our Create
, who has distributed to US cold an
he at, in the wisest proportion, with
S mercy that claims our gratitude an
! love. KLoNIMUs.