Concentration of Salt
This should prevent any surprise that rivers of such
magnitude and rapidity, flowing perpetually instead of intermittently, should produce these effects and end by filling up
the Pontus. For it is not a mere probability, but a logical
certainty, that this must happen. And a proof of what is going
to take place is this, that in the same proportion as the
Maeotic lake is less salt than the Pontus, the Pontus is less
so than the Mediterranean. From which it is manifest that,
when the time which it has taken for the Maeotic lake to fill
up shall have been extended in proportion to the excess of the
Pontic over the Maeotic basin, then the Pontus will also
become like a marsh and lake, and filled with fresh water like
the Maeotic lake: nay, we must suppose that the process will
be somewhat more rapid, insomuch as the rivers falling into
it are more numerous and more rapid. I have said thus much
in answer to the incredulity of those who cannot believe that
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the Pontus is actually being silted up, and will some day be
filled; and that so vast a sea will ever become a lake or marsh.
But I have another and higher object also in thus speaking:
which is to prevent our ignorance from forcing us to give a
childish credence to every traveller's tale and marvel related
by voyagers; and that, by possessing certain indications of the
truth, we may be enabled by them to test the truth or falsehood
of anything alleged by this or that person.
