Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-09-05
airgiuia FREE grsss.
Simple Reasons.

Simple Reasons.
soap bubble is round because every
part of its surface is equally pressed by the
atmosphere
Sheep thrive best in a pasture infested
with moles, because of the better drainage
of the land
Boiled water tastes fiat and insipid be-
cause the gases it contained have been driv-
en- off by heat.
Red hair is of that color because it is
supposed to have larger proportion of sui
phur than black hair.
A heavy dew is the precursor of rain be-
cause it shows that the atmosphere is satura-
ted with moisture.
Iron bedsteads are safe during thunder
storm because, being good conductors, they
keep the electricity rom the body.
White clothing is cool because it reflects
the heat of the sun black clothing is warm
because it absorbs both heat and light
A burning gas jet is unhealthy in a bed
chamber because one gaslight gives out as
much carbonic acid gas as two sleepers.
The flesh under the nails looks red be-
cause the nails are almost transparent, and
thus the color of the tissue beneath is yisl-
BILE.
Swallows fly low before rain because
the insects they pursue are then near the
ground to escape the moisture Of the upper
air.
Sea shells murmur because the vibrations
of the air, not otherwise observable, are col
lected in the shell and by its shape are
brought to a focus.
A spoon in glass filled with hot water
prevents the breaking Of the glass because
the metal readily absorbs large part of
the heat Of the water.
Flies can walk on the ceiling because
their feet are natual air.pumps aud form a
vacuum, so that the body is supported by
atmospheric pressure.
A plumb-line by the side Of a very large
building inclines little from the perpendic-
ular because the weight is attracted by the
mass Of the edifce
A red sunset foretells dry weather because
it indicates that the air toward the west,
from which direction rains may generally
be expected, contains little moisture.
Lightning travels in a zigzag course be-
cause it passes through different strata OF
the air, aud being resisted in its passage
! turns from side to side to find the easiest
! way.
A man feels drowsy after hearty dinner
: because a large part Of the blood in the sys-
tenn goes to the stomach to aid in digestion
and leaves the brain poorly supplied.
The twinkling of the stars forebodes bad
weather, because it shows that there are
aerial currents of different temperatures,
thus probably indicating atmospheric dis
turbances.
Wooden goods feel warm because wool is
a poor conductor of heat, and the goods
made of wool contain within their substance
large quantities Of air, also poor conductor.
Hogs carry straws in their mouths on the
approach of bad weather, because of he
reditary instinct. Wild hogs always make
a comfortable bed when rain is coming on.
boys marble placed in 9 kettle pre-
vents the encrusting of the vessels because
the marble attracts the particles of lime and
so prevents their adhering to the sides Of
the kettle
People wink because the eye must be kept
clean and moist, and by the action of the
eyeids the fluid secreted by the glands of
the eyes is spread equally over the surface
of the globe.
The voice can be heard to greater dis
tance through 4 speaking tube than through
the air because the sound is confined to the
air within the tube and the tube itself is
good conductor.
The perfume of flowers is more clearly
perceived just before or just after rain be-
cause the air, being then laden with mois-
ture, better conveys the essential oils that
constitute the perfumes.
The day after heavy snowfall j. usually
very clear because the snow in falling brings
down with it most of the dust and impuri-
ties of the air and leaves the atmosphere
exceedingly pure.
4 CT ose room is bad for sleeping, because
air once bfeathed parts with sixth of its
oxygen and contains an equivalent amount
of carbonic acid gas; air brcathed six times
will not support life
The snow huts of the Esquimaux are the
warme.t dwellings that can be constructed
in the polar regions. because snow is the
poorest conductor of heat that cen be found
there, and keeps the warmth of the fire
within.
People hiccopgh because of a muscular
contraction of the diaphragm. 1t is sup
posed to be sympathetic and to arise from
an effort of the diaphragm to assist the
stomach TO get rid Of some undigcsted or
disagreeable matter.
The human system can endure heat OF 2l2
degrees, the boiling point OF water, because
the skin is a bad conductor aud because the
perspiration cools the body. Men have