Page:The fairy tales of science.djvu/51



is the world made of? According to the ancient doctrine of the Four Elements, all things are formed of fire, air, earth, and water; and the varieties and differences in the properties of bodies depend entirely on the proportion in which these great principles are mingled.

While we confine our observations to the external properties of matter, this beautiful doctrine seems incontestable. If we kindle a few dry sticks on a cool hearth, we may remark that while the wood burns there rises smoke or air; the smoke is followed by flame or fire; moisture or water is deposited on the hearth; and ash or earth remains.

Everywhere can we detect the presence of the mighty elements. Fire can be set free from innumerable substances; air penetrates the pores of all bodies, and covers the world like a mantle; water forms the all-embracing sea, and nourishes every plant and animal: while earth enters into the composition of all solids, and gives form and stability to the universe.