Section 114. THE SOURCES[1] OF WATER.
Reading edition
Section 114. THE SOURCES[1] OF WATER.
There[2] are many sources of water. The first great source[3] is the ocean, which collects all the water from[4] the earth; this water contains so large a quantity of salt, that none[5] of us can drink it. The sun, however, bears[6] down upon the ocean’s surface, and its heating[7] rays penetrating[8] the water, combine, as[9] it were, with it (S. 4, N. 5, B), and[10] raise it up. The atmosphere (S. 5, N. 2), like[11] a sponge, absorbs the[12] vaporous water, carrying[13] it from the Equator to[14] the Arctic and the Antarctic regions; thus[15] distributing it north and south. It then condenses in the form of rain and of snow. When it sinks into the earth and pours down the[16] mountain sides, it forms springs and rivulets, entering[17] (S. 16, N. 4) the ocean again in[18] the form of rivers. Man catches[19] it in tubs and cisterns, draws[20] it from[21] the rivers, or digs down[22] into the earth, and catches[23] it as it passes[24] along beneath his feet. Thus[25] we have rain water, river water, and spring or well water.—Dr. Lankester.