BLACK, something opake and porous, that imbibes the greatest part of the light that falls on it, reflects little or none, and therefore exhibits no colour. Bodies of a black colour are found more inflamma ble, because the rays of light falling on them are not reflected outwards, but en ter the body, and are often reflected and refracted within it, till they are stifled and lost. They are also found lighter, crteris paribus, than white bodies, being more porous. It may be added, that clothes dyed of this colour wear out fast er than those of any other, because their substance is more penetrated and cor roded by the vitriol necessary strike their dye, than other bodies arc by the galls and alum which suffice for them. The inflammability of black bodies, and their disposition to acquire heat, beyond those of other colours, are easily evinced. Some appeal to the experiment of a white and black glove worn in the same sun ; the consequence will be, a very sensibly greater degree of heat in the one hand than the other. Others allege
the phenomena of burning-glasses, by which black bodies are always found to kindle soonest ; thus, a burning-glass, too weak to have any visible effect at all up on white paper, will readily kindle the same paper rubbed over with ink.
Dr. Watson, the present Bishop of Landaff, covered the bulb of a thermo meter with a black coating of India ink, in consequence of which the mercury rose ten degrees. Phil. Trans. vol. lxiii. Black clothes heat more, and dry sooner in the sun, than white clothes. Black is therefore a bad colour for clothes in hot climates : but a fit colour for the linings of ladies' summer hats.