obferved upon the tfland of Sumatra. 385 
fofs to account for it fatisfa&orily. If I might hazard a con- 
jefture, and it is not offered as any thing more, I would fup- 
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 fifli to fubfift 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 paffed in boats. The fifh 
no longer experiencing this refrefhment, neceffary as it would 
feem to their exiftence, . fickened. and perifhed as in a corrupted 
element. 
If, any thing fimilar to what I have above dcfcribed has been 
noticed in other parts of the world, I fhould be happy by a 
comparifon of the attendant circumftances, to inveftigate and 
afcertain the true caufes of fo extraordinary an effedt. In com^ 
municating to you the obfervations I have made, I purfue the" 
mofl likely means of. obtaining this fatisfadlion. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 
