Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-01-16

ANNWILtrIoS.-ltis is ascertined and is capable
of the clearest proofs that the simple elements Of
which all substance is composed cannot by any
conceivable means be destroyed. Theymay indeed
be so changed as to present not the least resem-
bllnce 90 their previous forms they NAV be
SO mingled with other bodies that their identity
cannot be traced they may be dissipated into in-
visible vapor, and be apparently annihilated; but
we learn from the science of chemistry that, in
every shape the same elements remain inextin-
guishlbe and unaltered. Tue phenomena of solu-
tons afford some OF the most obvious illustrations
OF complete changes produced in bodies without
causing their annhilAtion. If piece OF silver be
immersed in diluted ntre, in short time the silver
will be entirely dissolved It's hardness, its lustre,
its tenacity, its specific gravity, all the character
istics wch distinguish it as a metal, are gone
its very form has vanished, and the hard. splendid.
ponderous opaque metal. which, lew minutes
before was immersed in the mixture, is apparently
aunihilated. The liquid, however, remains as
lnpid before t presents no dilierencei IN appear
ance 70 indicate a change, What, then, has be-
come Of the solid piece of silver which was placed
in the liquid Mustwe conclude thatitis annihilat-
sl2 Put some pieces OF copper nto the solution
Snd the silver will reappear, and fall to the bot
tom of the glass in small brlianusnetallic crystals
Though solution is one OF the simplest process
ses of nature, the limited faculties of man will not
/ permit him to comprehend the mode in which il
| operates. There is not one phenomenon OF ma
ture that the mind of man can fully comprehend,
and. after pursuing the enquiry far as the mem
tai capacity will admit. be is obliged to confess
that there is an operating power beyond the
reach of his comprehension.
= How RAIN FALIs-Where does the ram come
/ from? You answer, Z" From the Clouds But
| where do the clouds come fromY You may think
the wind blows them over you. But If it blows
clouds over you from somewhere else, 1t also blows
them from over you to other places. The fact is,
| the water of the clouds is ust much over you
/ on a clear day as GU a cloudy or rainy day. On
! fair day when clouds are seen, the water Is di-
vded up into such small particles, that it does not
obstruct the SUMS light and SO you see no clouds
| or water A change of temperature in the atmos-
phere, rs when warmer and colder current OF arr
meet, causes the small PARTICLES OF water 10 unite
in pairs, aud the pairs uaite and these qnadruple
drops unite and so on until hundreds or thousands
Of the small invisible particles unite in one and
! even then that one may be many hundred times
smaller than pins head A mass Of these com-
bined drops which are still small enough TO float
in the air reiracts, or bend out of their so
many of the SUMS rays that they stop and often
darken is light. Ii is thus that clouds gather in
a clear sky. When enough drops unite to make
one heavy TO float in the air, 1t begins 70 fall.
/ Ii meets and unites with many Others in falling.
and often so many unite that great rain drops are
! formed by the time they get to the ground. Each
large drop is made up Of thousands, perhaps mil
! lions of the small drops that float in the unseen
air in clear sky.--American AgricaltSrist.
Aladder colors red This is the reason why the
madser you get, the reddor you grow