A. The heat of the fire drives out the hydrogen gas of the wood; which is inflamed by contact with the red-hot coals.
Q. Why will a neighbour’s house sometimes catch fire, though no flame of the burning house ever touches it?
A. The heat of the burning house sets at liberty the hydrogen gas of the neighbouring wood-work, which is ignited by the flames or red-hot bricks of the house on fire.
Q. What is coke?
A. Coal freed from its volatile gases, by the action of artificial heat.
Q. Why do arnott’s stoves sometimes smell so strong of sulphur?
A. The fire is made of coke, which contains sulphur; and, whenever the draught is not rapid enough to drive the sulphur up the flue, it is emitted into the room.
Q. What is meant by spontaneous combustion?
A. Ignition produced by the action of one uninflamed body on another.