Part 1 (1/2)

A Catechiss; Their History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery

by Benziger Brothers

PREFACE

This book, a reprint of a successful English publication, has been so enlarged as to be to all intents and purposes new It has been carefully revised by a Reverend gentleman, who for some time filled the chair of Physics and Chees

Recent inventions and improvements are described in a simple, popular style, so as to be easily understood by all, and short notices are given of pro to doctrinal s of the Church

A feature which will commend the book to every teacher is the definitions of difficult words and terraphs in which such words occur

Technical language is avoided aspupils to become familiarly acquainted with the various phenoeneral history of the objects of the anidoms, and the fundamental truths of the arts and sciences

The illustrations are of a superior order, and a very complete Index, which will be appreciated by every teacher, supplements the book In a word, no pains have been spared to enhance the value of the work, and render it an important auxiliary in the dissee

The publishers beg to acknowledge their obligations to the Sisters of Mercy, Loretto, Pa, to whose kindness they are indebted for estions

In the hope that the book may be found suited to the accomplishment of its aim, it is respectfully submitted to schools and instructors of youth, who are the best judges of its merits

CHAPTER I

DEW, WATER, RAIN, SNOW, HAIL, ATMOSPHERE, WIND, LIGHTNING, THUNDER, ELECTRICITY, TWILIGHT, AND THE AURORA BOREALIS

What is Dew?

Moisture collected fro the day, the powerful heat of the sun causes to arise from the earth and water a moist vapor, which, after the sun sinks below the horizon, is condensed by the cold, and falls in the for and Autumn than at any other season; in wares of teypt abounds in dews all the su too hot to condense the vapors in the day-tiather into clouds and form rain

_Horizon_, the line which bounds the view on all sides, so that the earth and sky appear toto ree of heat or cold

_Condense_, to cause the particles of a body to approach or unite more closely

What are its uses?

It cools and refreshes the vegetable creation, and prevents it fro destroyed by the heat of the sun All hot countries where there is little or no rain are therefore blessed with this provision by the all-bountiful Creator, to render them luxuriant and inhabitable; and the dehich fall are so copious, that the earth is as deeply soaked with theht as if a heavy rain had fallen For this reason also it is, that we so often read in the Bible of the ”dew of Heaven” being pronal favor