Water. 249 



had recourse to. The water of lakes is merely a collection of rain, 

 spring, and river water^ and, of course, contains the same hetero- 

 geneous salts. But it is seldom so transparent as river water ; bein**- 

 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 oppose the putrefaction of 

 these bodies, but rather promotes it, whereas, in river water, which 

 is constantly in motion, but little putrefaction takes place. Hence, 

 the reason of the slimy appearance, and the brownish colour, which 

 commonly distinguishes lake water. However, with these disadvan- 

 tages, it will generally be found preferable to well water, for Horses. 

 Marsh water contains, a still greater proportion of animal and vege- 

 table remains, than lake water, because it is altogether stagnant, and 

 for this reason it must be more unfit for Horses, than the water of 

 lakes. Moss water, is strongly impregnated with those vegetable 

 bodies, which constitute mosses, and usually, also, contains iron; 

 for these reasons, moss water cannot be proper for Horses. 



3R 



