Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/60

40]  one of the irons, which are secured by means of screws to the back of the scythe. These irons proceed from, and constitute a part of, the upright irons m, n, l, o, that that serve to keep the gatherer extended.

This contrivance is very simple and cheap: an attempt, however, has been made to simplify it still farther, by substituting for the gatherer two iron-hoops, represented in the Cut last referred to, by the dotted lines, marked h, g, k, i, with a cross-piece, that serves to connect them; thus saving the cloth and iron plate before described.—Experiments, however, have been made with both these implements; from the result of which it appears, that the gatherer is, upon the whole, preferable to the hoops, as no ears of corn are left behind; and that the latter alteration promises to be most serviceable, when there is no short corn, that can insinuate itself between such iron hoops.  SEA, strictly speaking, signifies a large body of water, which is connected with the ocean, and partly encompassed by land; such are the Baltic, and Mediterranean Seas: though the term sea is, also, frequently employed to denote the immense fluid mass that surrounds the globe.

The sea is the genuine source of all rivers; as the vapours, raised from its surface, are gradually dispersed over the earth, on which they descend in the form of drops or rain; and, by supplying streams, not only fertilize the vegetable kingdom, but at the same time, open an intercourse between distant nations or provinces; while they convey wealth, and thus contribute to the conveniencies of mankind. The colour of the marine fluid appears to be of various shades; namely, green, yellow, black, &c.; these phenomena, however, depend wholly on accidental causes; such as the depth of the water, the nature of the matter forming the bottom, or the motion of the winds: for, if be poured into a glass, it will be found transparent, like that drawn from rivers.

But, though the sea be thus beneficial, it appears from actual observation, that it daily encroaches upon the land; in consequence of which valuable tracts will, in the course of time, be completely inundated: hence it has been deemed necessary to resort to embankments, or artificial dams, in order to repel the inroads of this element; and, with a view to facilitate such national object, the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. have offered liberal premiums. Among the successful candidates, was Mr., of Rochford, Kent, who effectually secured 142 acres of land from the sea, by means of banks; and on whom, in 1785, they conferred their gold medal. In 1787, they bestowed their silver medal on the Rev., for embanking, draining, and freeing from the encroachments of the German Ocean, between 3 and 400 acres of land, that was formerly a stagnant marsh; but which, in consequence of his exertions, was rendered worth 20s. per acre, on a lease for twenty-one years. In the year 1800, the Society adjudged their gold medal to the same gentleman, for his farther endeavours in that laudable pursuit. The tract, thus obtained, amounts to 206 acres; and is defended from the ocean by an embankrnent of earth only, and which