WATERS. 
is seldom so transparent as river water, being usually 
contaminated with the remains of animal and vegetable 
bodies which have undergone putrefaction in it. For 
as lake water is often nearly stagnant, it does not op 
pose the putrefaction of these bodies, but rather pro 
motes it ; whereas in river water, which is constantly 
in motion, no putrefaction takes place. Hence the rea 
son of the slimy appearance and the brownish colour 
which often distinguishes lake water. 
Marsb water contains a still greater proportion of 
animal and vegetable remains than lake water, because 
it is altogether stagnant. Moss water is strongly im 
pregnated with those vegetable bodies which constitute 
mosses, and usually also contains iron. 
CHAP. II. 
OF SEA WATER. 
THE Ocean is the great reservoir of water into 
which the lakes and rivers empty themselves, and from 
which is again drawn by evaporation that moisture 
which, falling in showers of rain, fertilizes the earth, 
and supplies the waste of the springs and rivers. This 
constant circulation would naturally dispose one to be 
lieve, a priori, that the waters of the ocean do not dif 
fer much from the waters of rivers and lakes : but no 
thing would be more erroneous than such a conclusion; 
VoL. III. 
A 2. 
369 
Chap. II.