A. No; they merely prevent the heat of the body from escaping.
Q. Where would the heat escape to, if the body were not wrapped in wool or fur?
A. The heat of the body would fly off into the air; for the cold air (coming into contact with our body) would gradually draw away its heat, till it was as cold as the air itself.
Q. What then is the principal use of clothing in winter-time?
A. To keep the body air-tight; and prevent the external air (or wind) from coming into contact with it, to absorb its heat.
Q. Why are beasts covered with fur, hair, or wool?
A. Because fur, hair, and wool are very slow conductors of heat; and (as dumb animals cannot be clad like human beings) God has given them a robe of hair or wool, to keep them warm.
Q. Why are birds covered with down or feathers?
A. Because down and feathers are very bad conductors of heat; and (as birds cannot be clad like human beings) God has given them a robe of feathers to keep them warm.
Q. Why are wool, fur, hair, or feathers such slow conductors of heat?