Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/497

Rh though their feet are not webbed, as those of most other water-fowl, they swim with considerable speed.

These birds continue throughout the year in England: like the land-rail, they seldom fly, and are generally taken by means of dogs, which are trained for the purpose of running them down.—The flesh of the water-rail is wholesome; though inferior to that of the preceding species; and, as this bird resorts to damp and marshy situations, it acquires a peculiar moorish taste.  RAILS, are pieces of timber, placed on stair-cases, and also on balusters, both as a support, and to prevent accidents. They also denote those pieces of wood which are fixed within pales, in order to strengthen fences.

In April, 1782, a Patent was granted to Mr., for his invention of making and ornamenting every kind of railing, balustrades, or balusters, and pannels for stair-cases, galleries, balconies, &c. both in private houses, and in churches, or other public buildings. His privilege is now expired: but, as a detail of the principles on which he proceeded, would be intelligible only to architects, the curious reader will consult the 7th volume of the Repertory of Arts and Manufactures, where a full specification is inserted.  RAIN, a well-known meteor, which descends from the clouds in drops of water.

Various conjectures have been formed by natural philosophers, to account for the origin of rain: it appears, however, to be universally allowed, that such phenomenon is produced from the moisture or water which is absorbed from the surface of the globe by the heat of the sun, and conveyed into the atmosphere, whence it is again precipitated upon the earth; though the specific cause is by no means clearly determined.—According to chemical principles, the air itself is a solvent of water, and thus contributes to the formation of rain in the clouds, when they are saturated with aqueous humours. Now, as soon as two such volumes of condensed vapour meet each other in the atmosphere, in different temperatures, the necessary consequence will be precipitation: in a manner similar to that from the vaulted ceiling or window of a cold room, when first heated.

Rain irrigates and softens the earth, thus adapting it to the nourishment of plants.—By falling on lofty mountains, and other elevated situations, this meteor carries down numerous loose particles of earth into the contiguous vallies, which are thereby not only ameliorated, or rendered more fertile; but the air is also purified from noxious exhalations, which are returned to the ground whence they were absorbed; a natural process that remarkably contributes to enrich the soil. Lastly, it moderates the temperature of the air, and affords a supply of water to fountains, brooks, rivers, &c.

But, though gentle showers be in many respects beneficial to mankind, yet vehement rains coming down in torrents occasion great injury; as they are often attended with violent inundations, which wash or carry off the finer particles into rivers, and thus impoverish the land. To remedy, in some degree, this inconvenience, it has been recommended to plant along their banks, orchards, or