86 



the mill, but twist and turn it as he would he could not do so, and 

 the mill ground and ground and the heap of salt grew higher and 

 higher, and at last down sank the boat. And there lies the mill 

 at the bottom of the sea, and grinds away to this very day, and 

 that's why the sea is salt. 



Scarcely less fantastic is the fable of Rabelai^, who relates how 

 when Phffiton essayed to drive the chariot of the sun and collided 

 with the earth. Le globe transpira fortement. Les mers furent 

 le resultat de cette exudation, car, dit-il, toute sueur est sallee. Oe 

 que vous direz estre vray si voulez taster de la votre propre." 



The saltness of the sea is of more practical importance than one 

 might, at first sight, imagine. Bait not only increases the 

 dynamic powers of the ocean, renders it more buoyant and enables 

 ships to carry larger cargoes than they could if it were fresh, but 

 it profoundly influences the climate of our globe. Captain Maury 

 says, "From the brine the sea derives dynamical powers and its 

 currents their main strength. Hence to understand the dynamics 

 of the ocean, it is necessary to study the effects of their saltness 

 upon the equilibrium of the waves. Why is the sea made salt ? 

 It is the salts of the sea that impart to its waters those curious 

 anomalies in the laws of freezing and of thermal dilatation. It is 

 the salts of the sea that assist the rays of heat to penetrate its 

 bosom." The temperature of the earth depends on the circulation 

 of the ocean, so that the condition of the whole world, both 

 meteoric and climatic, which so profoundly affects the development 

 and maintenance of life, both animal and vegetable, would all be 

 entirely altered were the sea not salt. 



At the close of Dr. FitzGerald's paper, a short discussion took 

 place, or rather some further information was asked for, with 

 reference to the influence of the sea upon coast towns, and as to 

 the quantity of sea water which might advantageously be taken 

 medicinally. 



Dr. FitzGerald having replied, 



Mr. G. C. Walton, F.L.8., proceeded to give some information 

 on the subject of grasses and sedges, a large number of very 

 beautiful and perfect specimens of each order of vegetation being 

 exhibited, and in passing a vote of thanks to Mr. Walton, a hope 

 was expressed that he would pursue the subject further at a future 

 meeting. 



