The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-16

by the WINDS over the lana, and descend
again in gentle showers.
Thus we see that water is not only alb
solutely necessary to their existence, but
that it conduces in a thousand WAYS to
our comfort.
AS the twilight gently draws around
us the drapery of night, and prevents
violent and sudden transition from the
light of day, to the sombre hues of dark
ness, so water moderates the changes of
the seasons.
The imponderable substance we call
heat, presents two forms: sensible and
insensible, Or latent. We say that a
body possesses sensible heat, when it
will effect u thermometer. All bodies
possess a certain amount of latent heat.
The atmosphere which surrounds us
always contains it, and is constantly
giving it off, and receiving it. Now,
water possesses great capacity for latent
heat, and holds it in vast quantity at
ordinary temperature. On the approach
of winter, as the temperature Of water
descends, it gives off to the air its latent
heat, and thus prevents what would
otherwise prove Il sudden and violent
change of seasons. It is thus to the
agency Of water, that we owe the mode
rate temperature Of autumn,-the tWi-
light of the year. Again, in spring, the
temperature of water rises with the i'll
creased heat; it takes up from the at
mosphere vast quantity of latent heat,
and thus retards Il too violent change
from winter to summer. Water thus
gives us the balmy air of spring, proper
~ the do,cn of the year.
Aswater forms a very large proportion
Of our bodies, SO also the food we eat
contains this all-pervading substance in
great quantity. 1t gives fullness and
plumpness, as we'll to the delicious fruit,
as to the body which receives it.
Water is the med UNI of commune
cation between the mind, and the exter-
nal world. There is hardly sensation
weexperience, except through itsagency.
It is the great moderator of temperature
as we'll to our bodies, as to the surround
ing air, and in health, is constantly,
though silently performing its various
offices for our comfort. An invisible
vapor Of watery particles is constantly
being cxhaled from the surface of the
body. This exhalation, Or evaporation,
serves two purposes: that of elimination
of effcte particles, and that of keeping
down the temperature. Thus it is, that
one Mirsts when over-heated, and the
water is exhalcd from the skin and
thus is explained the immunity from
excessive heat, which is enjoyed by
those who perspire freely.
The globe Of the eye, owes its trans
parency and rotundity to this substance.
It's lea.sis asacl1 of pure sparkling water,
brilliant as the drop of dew, to which
muscles are attached, which modify its
form, and render it q proper refracting
medium of light.
The organ of hearing-no less wonder
full in its construction, also requires the
agency Of water to convey sounds to
the brain. AS the sound impinges upon
the drum of the ear, and causes it to
yibrate, the sensation is conveyed along
through Il chain of minute and delicate
bones, until it impinges again upon
sack of water. The sound is dilflsed
through this little lakelet, and gently
distributed to the auditory nerve lining
its cavity!
TO the solvent power OF water we owe
the sense of Taste, as every article OF food,
must be dissolved in the saliva, before
any sensation can be conveyed to the
gustatory nerve. 1t is hardly necessary
to add, that the same rule applies to the
0ljuct0ry sense.
Besides the important uses of water,
above alluded to, and its familiar do
nestle employments, ii is q great .teJtU-
izer. This Office it performs by its power
of expansion on reaching the freezing
point. It permeates rocks, and stones,
and congealing, endsthemasunder; no.
ceases the communication until barren
r..