A. It is hidden in the water; or (to speak more scientifically) it is stored up in a latent state.
Q. How much heat may be thus secreted or made latent?
A. All things contain a vast quantity of latent heat; but, as much as 1140° of heat may remain latent in water.
Q. How can 1140° of heat be added to water, without being perceptible to our feelings?
A. 1st—140° of heat are hidden in the water, when ice is melted by the sun or fire.
2ndly—1000° more of heat are secreted, when water is converted into steam. Thus, before ice is converted into steam, 1140° of heat become latent.[6]
[6] Thus, one pint of boiling water, (212° according to the thermometer,) will make 1800 pints of steam; but the steam is no hotter to the touch than boiling water, both are 212°: therefore, when water is converted into steam, 1000° of heat become latent. Hence, before ice is converted to steam, it must contain 1140° of latent heat.
Q. Can we be made to feel the heat of ice or snow?
A. Yes. Into a pint of snow put half as much salt; then plunge your hand into the liquid; and it will feel so intensely cold, that the snow itself will seem quite warm in comparison to it.