Q. Would not the air of the lower part of a room be heated equally well, if the stoves were fixed higher up?
A. No; the heat of a fire has a very little effect upon the air below the level of the grate; and, therefore, every grate should be as near to the floor as possible.
Q. Why are our feet so cold when we sit close by a good fire?
A. As the fire consumes the air which passes over it, cold air rushes through the crevices of the doors and windows along the bottom of the room to supply the deficiency; and these currents of cold air, rushing constantly over our feet, deprive them of their warmth.
Q. If a piece of paper be laid flat on a clear fire, it will not blaze, but char. Why so?
A. The carbon of a clear fire, being sufficiently hot to unite with the oxygen of the air, produces carbonic acid gas, which soon envelops the paper laid flat upon the cinders: but carbonic acid gas will not blaze.
Q. If you blow the paper, it will blaze immediately. Why so?
A. By blowing, or opening the door suddenly, the carbonic acid is dissipated, and the paper is instantly fanned into flame.
Q. Why does water extinguish a fire?
1st—Because the water forms a coating over the fuel, and keeps it from the air: