ON SWIMMING, Sec, S67 



that live in boats do not, however, trust to their children 

 floating naturally, for they keep gourds fixed to their 

 shoulders to prevent them sinking should they happen to 

 fall in the water. This precaution seonis prudent in 

 China, the water^inthe canals and rivers here being of a 

 ▼ery soft quality. 



Men who cannot swim, ha])peningto (all in the water, Menareaptto 

 are certainly (as you observe) very apt to drown them- s Ji y^" by ^rTfs- 

 selves by pushing their hands and arms above water ; for ing their 

 a person cannot sink if the hands are kept under the sur- "^"^** 

 face and a gentle motion performed by them. But I can- 

 not avoid observing that Doctor Franklin's remarks re- 

 lative to the specific gravity of the human body in salt and 

 fresh water seem liable to some objections, if indiscrimi- 

 nately applied to all persons, there being great reason to 

 think the specific gravity of the human species difiers 

 considerably. The following instance appears to favour 

 this opinion : In company with two friends, some years p^cts which 

 ago, it was customary for us to proceed to the sea to shew that the 

 enjoy the exercise of swimming; this was at Bombay in ^P^^^"J^ gravi- 

 India; the gentlemen who accompanied me could both and conse-* 

 swim, but neither of them had ever tried to lioat on the <l"cntly their 

 water without motion. When swimming on their backs floating, are 

 they were requested to endeavour to lie quiet without different. 

 any motion of hands or feet. The best swimmer of the 

 two could not float without using a little motion with his 

 hands or feet, although he repeated the trial several days ; 

 when he lay without motion his head gradually sunk till 

 completely under water. This person was of short sta- 

 ture, strong, and athletic. The other gentleman was of 

 a spare make, thin, and delicate in constitution ; and at 

 the first trial floated on tlie surface like a cork, without 

 any motion of hands or feet; his toes, part of his feet, 

 knees, part of his shoulders and head, remained above 

 the surface, when every part of his body was at rest ; 

 whilst the stout gentleman could in no position float on 

 the surface without a gentle motion of hands or feet. It 

 certainly appeared to me evident that the specific gravity 

 of these persons differed considerably. 



When the sun has been obscured by clouds, or other-'Particular ob- 

 wise not too powerful. I have frequently amused myself ^^'^^^^*^"\^^' 



