THINGS TO KNOW.
2024. Why do candles and lamps "spirt," when rain is at hand?
2025. Because the air is filled with vapor, and the humidity penetrates the wick, where (being formed into steam) it expands suddenly, and produces a little explosion.
2026. Why does a drop of water sometimes roll along a piece of hot iron without leaving the least trace?
2027. Because (when the iron is very hot indeed) the bottom of the drop is turned into vapor, which buoys the drop up, without allowing it to touch the iron.
2028. Why does a laundress put a little saliva on a flat-iron, to know if it be hot enough?