under, as you cannot open the
eyelids for the weight of water above you; throwing yourself toward
the egg, and endeavouring by the action of your hands and feet
against the water to get forward, till within reach of it.

In this attempt you will find that the water buoys you up against
your inclination; that it is not so easy to sink as you imagine, and
that you cannot, but by active force, get down to the egg. Thus you
feel the power of water to support you, and learn to confide in that
power, while your endeavours to overcome it, and reach the egg,
teach you the manner of acting on the water with your feet and
hands, which action is afterwards used in swimming to support your
head higher above the water, or to go forward through it.

1399. continued...

"I would the more earnestly press you to the trial of this method,
because I think I shall satisfy you that your body is lighter than
water, and that you might float in it a long time with your mouth
free for breathing, if you would put yourself into a proper posture,
and would be still, and forbear struggling; yet, till you have
obtained this experimental confidence in the water, I cannot depend
upon your having the necessary presence of mind to recollect the
posture, and the directions I gave you relating to it. The surprise
may put all out of your mind.

1400. continued...

"Though the legs, arms, and head of a human body, being solid parts,
are specifically somewhat heavier than fresh water, as the trunk,
particularly the upper part, from its hollowness, is so much lighter
than water, so the whole of the body, taken altogether, is too light
to sink wholly under water, but some part will remain above until
the lungs become filled with water, which happens when a person, in
the fright, attempts breathing while the mouth and nostrils are
under water.

1401. continued...

"The legs and arms are specifically lighter than salt water, and
will be supported by it, so that a human body cannot sink in salt
water, though the lungs were filled as above, but from the greater
specific gravity of the head. Therefore a person throwing himself on
his back in salt water, and extending his arms, may easily lie so as
to keep his mouth and nostrils free for breathing; and, by a slight
motion of his hand, may prevent turning, if he sh