II.—On Dew

Abstract

The immense amount that has been written on the subject of dew renders it extremely difficult for one to state anything regarding it which has not been previously expressed in some form. It has been examined over and over by minds of every type, and from every point of view; so that every possible explanation of the different phenomena seems to have been given, and so many passing thoughts recorded, that from the literary point of view the whole subject seems exhausted. As a necessary result, these different treatises are in many respects contradictory; and it would be quite impossible to construct anything like a consistent explanation and account of our subject, from the very voluminous writings of those who have treated it from the purely literary point of view, and whose ideas have been evolved from their inner consciousness, according to what seemed to them the fitness of things, and without questioning nature as to the truth of their conclusions. On the scientific side of the subject, however, the writings are not so voluminous, and additions to it are still required to enable us to determine which of the many conflicting opinions are correct.