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The greater buyancy of the fresh water and the admirable law which [preserves?] its maximum density above the [pressing?] point enabled these snow [torrents?] to perform an important function in the economy of Nature.

Experiment proved to me that the entire surface of the bay is coated by pellicle or film of fresh water - which is of [course?] in contact with the under surface of the ice floes. This film is in rapid motion [that?] acting upon the ice mechanically by attrition as well as temperature. So well defined is this watery layer that at four inches below the surface it is perfectly fresh to the taste and in a large chasm which extends from observatory [unclear] transversely across our bay I failed with nitrate of silver to detect the salt.

The large ravine which goes by the name of Rio Santa Maria - Blessed Mary River - descends [300?] feet (by [Baron?]) in two 1/8 [unclear] miles - Throughout this tumultuous fall = the waters dashed against the rocks and suspected to other sources of heat acquire a temp of + 37°. This fact will readily explain the above experience.

Allowing a pellicle of four inches to cover the surface of our bay (an area of 36 miles) we have cubic feet [of?] 14.400 000 tons thus distributed - of pure fresh water above the salt of the sea. Extend this calculation to other discharging bays and remember the absolute division of the liquids in virtue of their diffusing densities and we may understand