passes, and the greater or less laxity of those Strata. For the same Reason, the Water of one River may abound with it more than that of another. Nay, the same River, when much agitated, and in commotion, must bear up more of it, than when it moves with less rapidity and violence. That there is a great Quantity of this Matter in Rivers; and that it contributes vastly to the ordinary Fertility of the Earth, we have an illustrious Instance in the Nile, the Ganges, and other Rivers that yearly overflow the neighbouring Plains. Their Banks shew the fairest and largest Crops of any in the whole World. They are even loaded with the multitude of their Productions; and those who have not seen them, will hardly be induced to believe the mighty Returns those Tracts make in comparison of others, that have not the Benefit of like Inundations.
- Water serves only for a Vehicle to the Terrestrial Matter, which forms Vegetables; and does not it self make any addition unto them. Where the proper Terrestrial Matter is wanting, the Plant is not augmented, though never so much Water ascend into it. The Cataputia in E, took up more Water than the Mint in C, and yet had grown but very little, having received only three Grains and an half of additional weight; whereas the other had received no less than twenty six Grains. The Mint in I, was planted in the same sort of Water as that in K, was; only the latter had Earth dissolved in the Water; and yet that drew off 13140 Grains of the Water, gaining it self no more than 139 Grains in weight; whereas the other took up but 10731 Grains of the Water, and was augmented 168 Grains in weight. Consequently that spent 2409 Grains more of the Water than this in K, did, and yet was not so much encreased in weight as this by 29 Grains. The Mint in M, stood in the very same