CONTENTS.

PART I.

THE NATURE, properTIES, AND BENEFICIAL EFFECTS

OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE SYSTEM OF NATURE,

AND THE EVIDENCES WHICH ITS CONSTITUTION AF-

FORDS OF THE WISDOM AND BENEFICENCE OF THE

CREATOR.

INTRODUCTION.-The works of God deserve our serious

contemplation-His wisdom displayed in the various

scenes connected with sublunary nature-His power

displayed in the luminaries of heaven-His perfections

manifested even in the invisible regions of nature-

Atmosphere an important appendage to our globe-

Outline of subjects in reference to the atmosphere

CHAPTER I.

Proofs that air is a material substance-Various experi-

ments illustrative of this position-It produces sound,

and shows a resistance to bodies passing through it-

It excludes all other bodies from the place it occupies

-A common bellows shows the materiality of air-Its

waves frequently become an object of sight

page 15

page 7

CHAPTER II.

The weight and pressure of the atmosphere, and the

quantity of matter it contains-Comparative weight of

air and water-Experiments illustrative of its pressure

-Barometer, and the mode of its action-Pascal's cele-

brated experiment with water and wine, to prove the

pressure of the atmosphere-Remarks and reflections

in reference to such experiments-Atmospheric pres-

sure on the body of a man-This pressure varies-

Weight of the whole atmosphere-Air decreases in

density as we ascend to the higher regions-Scenes

beheld from balloons-The pressure of the atmosphere

illustrated by a great variety of simple experiments page 19

CHAPTER III.

Facts illustrated by the pressure of the atmosphere-It

explains suction-The process of a child sucking the

breast-Why two smooth surfaces adhere with great

force-Action of a boy's sucker-Adherence of shell-

fish to the rocks on which they are found-Why frosts

occasion a scantiness of water-Why a cask will not

run, unless open at top-Mode of taking a draught of

water, and the principle on which it depends-Action

of the syphon-Remarks and reflections in reference to

the atmospheric pressure-Its discovery struck the

learned throughout Europe with surprise-Amazing

pressure on the human body-How our dwellings are

prevented from being crushed to atoms-Wisdom

and benevolence of the Divine Being in such opera-

tions

page 37

CHAPTER IV.

The elasticity of the air, and the phenomena it explains--

Important purposes effected by the atmosphere-Va-

rious illustrations of the elasticity of air-Effects pro-

duced in various substances by this property-Spring

of the air equal to its weight-Is susceptible of dilata-

tion and compression-Elasticity of air not capable

of being destroyed-This property explains a great

variety of appearances in nature and art

page 49

CHAPTER V.

The height of the atmosphere, or the elevation to which

it extends beyond the surface of the earth-Height of

the atmosphere, were it of uniform density-Its height,

as ascertained from the twilight-Mode of finding its

height from the effects of refraction-Probably extends

to a much higher elevation than is generally supposed

-Height of fire-balls, and other meteors-Universal

space may be filled with ethereal fluids

page 59

CHAPTER VI.

The composition of the atmosphere-Atmosphere a com-
pound fluid-History of this discovery-Component
parts of which it consists-Properties of oxygen gas-
Properties of nitrous oxyde-Its extraordinary effect on
the animal spirits, illustrated in a variety of instances
-Its singular effects on a student in Yale College-Its
effects on the author, and other individuals-On in-
sects, etc.-Reflections on this subject-Properties of
nitrogen gas-Carbonic-acid gas-Where found-Its
specific gravity-Fatal to all animals that breathe it-

Grotto del Cani-Hints and cautions in reference to

avoiding the pernicious effects of this gas-Atmosphere

of our globe not to be considered the same as those of

other planets-Adapted only to mortal men--May be

improved, and rendered more salubrious, by the uni-

versal cultivation of the soil-Millennial era-Man has

it in his power to effectuate important changes, were

his moral dispositions renovated-State of the atmo-

sphere before the deluge-Atmospheres of other planets

-Reflections

page 65

CHAPTER VII.

The beneficial effects of the atmosphere in the system of

nature-Air is essential to the growth of plants-

Pressure of the atmosphere preserves water in its

liquid state-Supports fire and flame-Respiration of

all animals depends upon it-Various interesting ex-

periments in relation to respiration-Reflections-

Respiration in fishes-Atmosphere essential to the

process of evaporation-Density of the atmosphere

gives buoyancy to the clouds-Is the source of

winds, which are of essential use in the system of

nature-Air is the vehicle of smell, the medium of

sounds, and produces all the harmonies of music-The

cause of that splendour and universal light around us,

and of the morning and evening twilight-Disastrous
effects which would follow were the atmosphere swept
away-Divine wisdom and beneficence displayed in the
arrangements of the atmosphere-Its transparency-
Not capable of being frozen-Man has acquired a
certain degree of sovereignty over it--Moral reflection
in reference to this subject.

page 84

CHAPTER VIII.

The wisdom and benevolence of the Creator, as displayed

in the constitution of the atmosphere-Wisdom and

goodness are manifest in the proportion which subsists

between the different gases-In determining the rela-

tive specific gravity of these gases-And in the process

for supplying the waste of oxygen, and promoting the

renovation of the atmosphere-Concluding reflections

-Folly of denying the reality of a future and invisible

state of existence-Many of the objects of religion lie

beyond the range of our corporeal vision, but are not,

on that account, to be considered unreal-What ought

to be our great object in our study of the sciences, and

the investigation of the phenomena of nature?

page 118