abſorbent veſſels of the plant are known to abound more than in any other of its parts.
The water held in a ſtate of ſolution by the atmoſphere, in conſequence of the heat which it acquires from the perpendicular rays of the ſun, is ſo much greater in quantity than what it can retain in ſituations not expoſed to an equal degree of heat, that every thing that is not expoſed to the direct rays of the ſun, becomes covered with a great degree of moiſture; ſo that it is very difficult to preſerve inſtruments of iron, or even of the moſt highly poliſhed ſteel, from the ruſt.
During the whole period of time that we were ſailing round the Tropics, the barometer had not ſtood higher than 28 inches 4 lines, nor lower than 28 inches 1 1-10th lines.
We knew very well that our proviſion of water could not retain its freſhneſs in the extreme heat of this climate; but one ſhould hardly have imagined, that whilſt we had means on board of reſtoring its purity, they ſhould not have been put effectually in practice, before diſtributing to the crew their daily allowance.
Water that is kept for a long time on board, undergoes the ſame ſort of decompoſition which takes place in ſtagnant pools; and this proceſs is conſiderably accelerated by the influence of a
hot
