tibjerved upon the Ijland of Sumatra. 
Ibfs to account for it fatisfa&orily. If I might hazard a con- 
jecture, and it is not offered as any thing more, I would flip- 
pofe, that the fea requires the mixture of a due proportion of 
frefh water to temper its faline quality, and enable certain fpe- 
cies of fifh to fubjtft in it. Of this falubrious correction it was 
deprived for an unufual fpace of time, not only by the want of 
rain, but by the ceafing of many rivers to flow into it, whofe 
fources were dried up. I rode acrofs the mouths of feveral per- 
fectly dry, which I had often before palled in boats.. The fifh 
no longer experiencing this refrefhment, neceflary as it would 
feem to their exigence, fickened and p.erifhed as in a corrupted 
element. 
If any thing fimilar to whatT have above defcribed has been 
noticed in other parts of the world,. I fhonld be happy by a 
comparifon of the attendant; circumftances, to inveffigate. and 
afcertain the true caufes of, fo extraordinary an effeCt. In com- 
municating to you the obfervations I have made, I purfue. the. 
molt, likely means of obtaining this fatisfaCliom 
" II have the honour to be, , &c. 
