Of Magnefian Earth. 459 
to confiderable changes, are frequently de- 
compofed, and forced to enter into new com¬ 
binations. It is not therefore to be fuppofed* 
that the fame individual fale has been contained 
by the ocean, from the creation to the prefent 
time. We know that the waters are continually 
evaporating into the atmofphere, forming 
clouds, defending again in rain, replenifhing 
the earth, and after forming rivers, returning 
to the fea. Sea fait riles, by a moderate heat, 
with the vapour of water, and is often carried by 
ftorms to confiderable diftances. By thefe and 
other means, it is probable, there muft be a con¬ 
tinual wafte of fait, which Nature muft have fome 
mode to fupply. 
The ocean is replete with animals and plants.’ 
The deftruction and corruption of thefe muft 
furnifh much matter, fitted for the formation 
of faline fubftances, much earth, much of the 
principle of inflammability, and of air; and, if 
water were not a part of their compofition, 
the fea would plentifully fupply that elementary 
ingredient. By the putrefa&ion of fimilar fub¬ 
ftances, mixed with calcareous earth, moiftened 
with water, and expofed to the gradual a&ion 
of the air, Nitre is formed. May not the fame 
fubftances, under different circumftances, 
covered by the depth of the ocean, and feparated 
hereby from immediate communication with 
the air, produce Sea-Salt. It has lately been 
difcovered 
