Salt Water 



passages ; it may float lightly via cloudland ; but 

 in any case its goal is the sea. 



Still, though the ocean includes in its composi- 

 tion every kind of land-water, Sea-water as such 

 is different from them all. Not only in its vast 

 extent, in its enormous depth, but in its strong 

 flavour of Salt. 



One of the commonest of substances is Salt. 

 It is in the ground, in air, in water. We even 

 know that it does not belong to our earth alone, 

 but to many heavenly bodies also. 



Perhaps one reason for this abundance, at least 

 upon our Earth, is that it is necessary for life. 

 There is salt in the make of blood and of brain, 

 of muscle and of tendon. Salt is perpetually 

 passing out of a man's body ; therefore continual 

 fresh supplies of it are needed. Without a 

 certain amount of salt in his food, he cannot 

 keep in good health. 



This at one time was not understood ; and salt 

 was looked upon as a mere luxury, easily to be 

 dispensed with. Condemned criminals were for- 

 bidden that luxury ; and they went through a 

 good deal of suffering, the reason for which was 

 not guessed. If plenty of animal and vegetable 

 food was given to them, they managed to get 

 along, since both contain salt ; but if they were 



ii 



