43 



OEDINAKY MEETING.* 

 Rev, Prebendary R. Thornton, D.D., V.P., in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed, and the 

 following Election took place : — 



Member : — Peter F. "Wood, Esq., Kent. 

 The following paper was then i-ead by the author : — 



HOW THE WATERS OFTHE OCEAN BECAME SALT, 

 By Prof. Edward Hull, LL.D., F.R.«., F.G.S. 



THERE are many things in the world around us to which Ave 

 are so accustomed from childhood that Ave never stop to 

 enquire Avhy they should be so. That rivers and lakes should 

 consist of fresh water, and that the sea should be formed of 

 salt water, seems so natural that we consider them as not only 

 matters of course, but essential to the physical economy of 

 the Avorld ; and if perchance our attention is called to the 

 fact that some inland lakes are formed of salt water we pro- 

 ceed to investigate the cause of so unusual an occurrence — 

 one which being exceptional requires special explanation. 

 But how few of the thousands and millions who traverse 

 the ocean or d^vell upon its shores put to themselves the 

 question " Why are its waters salt ? " And this, notwith- 

 standing that it is daily receiving supplies of fresh Avater 

 both from the rain Avhich falls upon its surface and from the 

 riA^ers Avhich empty themselves into it. Clearly there is 

 something here Avhich does require special investigation, a 

 question Avhich does need solution, because, as far as the sup- 



^ .3r(l of 28th Session. 



