The temperature of the sea, although it must necessarily vary in the different seasons, is much more uniform than that of any inland water exposed to the atmosphere. This is, in a great measure, attributable to its vast body of water, and the perpetual agitation to which it is exposed. Sea water, when congealed by frost, is found to reject all, or nearly all, its saline particles; and consequently, when thawed, its ice yields water so fresh that it may be drunk without unpleasantness. The freezing of sea water is not unfrequently practised in the northern parts of the world, with a view to lessen the trouble and expense of extracting salt from it, for domestic and other uses (202). Salt water may likewise be rendered fresh and palatable by distillation, a mode which is now very generally practised at sea. The sea shore has of late become so much frequented by invalids, for the purpose of bathing, that there is scarcely a fishing village, on the whole extent of our coast, but which is provided with some accommodation for bathers. As a cold bath, sea water is employed, with advantage, in all those cases of debility for which cold bathing has, in general, been recommended. It is also used as an external application in tumours and some other complaints; and, taken internally, as a remedy in various disorders. It is to sea water that we are chiefly indebted for the salt which we use at table, and for all the purposes of domestic economy (202). From this water is also obtained those salts used in medicine, called Glauber’s (203) and Epsom salts (199). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ORDER III.—MINERAL WATERS. 1. THE MORE SIMPLE COLD WATERS. 280. _MALVERN WATER is a simple cold water, perfectly bright and pellucid: it has an agreeable, and somewhat pungent flavour; but, in other respects, it does not differ in taste from pure and good soft water._ _It contains carbonic acid (26), and a very small portion of earth, either lime or magnesia; but, the carbonic acid perhaps excepted, the foreign bodies are less in quantity than those even of our common spring water._ The spring from which this water principally issues is denominated the Holy Well: and is situated high up the hill, about midway between the villages of Great and Little Malvern, in Worcestershire. Both as an external and internal application, the waters of Malvern have been considered beneficial in many obstinate complaints. It is a singular circumstance respecting them that, notwithstanding their apparent purity, if they be exposed to the air in an open vessel, they will soon acquire a fetid and unpleasant smell. Malvern is principally frequented during the summer season.[5] Footnote 5: Adjoining to Great Malvern, and a little higher up the hill, there is a very light and pleasant _chalybeate water_. 2. THE MORE SIMPLE WARM WATERS.