XIX. RIVERS AND FLOODS, 152

XX. TIDES, 161

XXI. WHAT IS A SPONGE? 167

XXII. WATER AND ICE, 177

XXIII. STORED ENERGY IN WATER, 182

XXIV. WHY DOES ICE FLOAT? 192

XXV. GLACIERS, 198

XXVI. EVIDENCES AND THEORIES OF AN ICE AGE, 207

XXVII. GLACIAL AND PREGLACIAL LAKES AND RIVERS, 217

XXVIII. SOME EFFECTS OF THE GLACIAL PERIOD, 230

XXIX. DRAINAGE BEFORE THE ICE AGE, 239

INTRODUCTION.

Dear Reader: Please look through this "Introduction" before beginning
with the regular chapters. It is always well to know the object, aim,
and mode of treatment of a book before reading it, so as to be able to
look at it from the author's view-point.

First: A word about the title--"Nature's Miracles." Some may claim that
it is unscientific to speak of the operations of nature as "miracles."
But the point of the title lies in the paradox of finding so many
wonderful things--as wonderful as any miracle that was ever
recorded--subservient to the rule of law.

"But," you say, "a miracle does not come under any rule of law."

Ah! are you sure of that? It is true that we may not understand the law
that the so-called miracle comes under, but the Author of all natural
law does. We do not pretend to dispute but that the Power that made
nature's laws can change them if He sees fit; but we cannot believe that
He will ever see fit. It would destroy all order and harmony, all
advancement in science and knowledge of God's works, not to be able to
rely implicitly upon the laws of nature as consistent and continuous.

In putting out these little volumes, it is not to be understood that the
subjects treated will be more than touched upon, at the most salient
points. To do much more would require volumes of immense size, and life
would be too short for me to write or for you to read them.

Again: these volumes are "familiar talks." The Author wishes to sit down
with you--so to speak--and not hold you at arm's length.

It will be his aim to use the language of common life and to avoid all
technical names so far as possible, or, when they are necessary, to
explain their meaning. The object is to reach the thousands of readers
who have no