The Mighty Deep 



our sense of taste. It has only been separated 

 by the water into such minute particles that we 

 cannot see them. This is a case of mixing, not 

 of chemical union. 



When we think of the characteristics of Sea 

 Water, as compared with Fresh Water, we have 

 to do with simple mixing. As sugar floats, 

 unseen but not untasted, in tea or coffee ; so salt 

 floats, unseen but not untasted, in ocean waters. 



Such a thing as absolutely pure water is very 

 rare. No matter how clear a stream may seem 

 to us, it holds a vast number of specks of 

 material, collected from earth and air. Once 

 a scientific man had some, most carefully 

 distilled, which seemed to be of crystal purity. 

 But he put it under the strong beam of an 

 electric lamp, and, alas, for human powers ! 

 after so doing he could only declare that the 

 idea of purity was ludicrous. If it is so with 

 distilled water, the less said the better about 

 common drinking-water. It may be well for 

 our peace of mind that we have not stronger 

 sight. 



Ocean-water holds about two hundred times 

 as much dissolved material as ordinary fresh 

 water. The different kinds of substances found 

 in any particular water-supply determine the 



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