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Water - The Elixir of Life

BY - C. V. RAMAN
Man has through the ages sought in vain for an imaginary elixir of life, the divine Amrita, a draught of which was thought
to confer immortality. But the true elixir of life lies near our hands; for it is the commonest of all liquids, plain water! I
remember one day standing on the line which separates the Libyan Desert from the Valley of the Nile in Egypt.
On one side was visible a sea of billowing sand without a speck of green or a single living thing anywhere on it. On the
other side lay one of the greatest, most fertile and densely populated areas to be found anywhere on the earth, teeming
with life and vegetation. What made this wonderful difference? Why, it is the water of the river Nile flowing down to
the Mediterranean from its sources a couple of thousands of miles away. Geologists tell us that the entire soil of the
Nile valley is the creation of the river itself, brought down as the finest silt in its flood waters, from the highlands of
Abyssinia and from remote Central Africa, and laid down through the ages in the trough through which the Nile flows
into the sea. Egypt, in fact, was made by its river. Its ancient civilization was created and is sustained by the life-giving
waters which come down year after year with unfailing regularity.
I give this example and could give many others to emphasise that this common substance which we take for granted in
our everyday life is the most potent and the most wonderful thing on the face of our earth. It has played a role of vast
significance in shaping the course of the earth’s history and continues to play the leading role in the drama of life on
the surface of our planet.
There is nothing which adds so much to the beauty of the countryside as water, be it just a little stream trickling over
the rocks or a little pond by the wayside, where the cattle quench their thirst of an evening. The rainfed tanks that are
so common in South India – Alas! often so sadly neglected in their maintenance – are a cheering sight when they are
full. They are, of course, shallow, but this is less evident since the water is silt-laden and throws the light back, and the
bottom does not therefore show up. These tanks play a vital role in South Indian agriculture. Some of these tanks are
surprisingly large and it is a beautiful sight to see the sun rise or set over one of them. Water in a landscape may be
compared to the eyes in a human face. It reflects the mood of the hour, being bright and gay when the sun shines,
turning to dark and gloomy when the sky is overcast.
One of the most remarkable facts about water is its power to carry silt or finely divided soil in suspension. This is the
origin of the characteristic colour of the water in rainfed tanks. This colour varies with the nature of the earth in the
catchment area and is most vivid immediately after a fresh inflow following rain. Swiftly flowing water can carry fairly
large and heavy particles. The finest particles, however, remain floating within the liquid in spite of their greater density
and are carried to great distances. Such particles are, of course, extremely small, but their number is also great and
incredibly large amounts of solid matter can be transported in this way.
When silt-laden water mixes with the salt water of the sea, there is rapid precipitation of the suspended matter. This
can be readily seen when one travels by steamer down a great river to the deep sea. The colour of the water changes
successively from the muddy red or brown of silt through varying shades of yellow and green finally to the blue of the
deep sea. That great tracts of land have been formed by silt thus deposited is evident on an examination of the soil in
alluvial areas. Such land, consisting as it does of finely divided matter, is usually very fertile.
The flow of water has undoubtedly played a great part and a beneficent one in the geological processes by which the
soil on the earth’s surface has been formed from the rocks of its crust. The same agency, however, under appropriate
conditions, can also play a destructive part and wash away the soil which is the foundation of all agriculture, and if
allowed to proceed unchecked can have the most disastrous effect on the life of the country. The problem of soil erosion
is one of serious import in various countries and especially in many parts of India. The conditions under which it occurs
and the measures by which it can be checked are deserving of the closest study.
Soil erosion occurs in successive steps, the earliest of which may easily pass unnoticed. In the later stages, the cutting
up and washing away of the earth is only too painfully apparent in the formation of deep gullies and ravines which make
all agriculture impossible. Sudden bursts of excessively heavy rain resulting in a large run of surplus water are the
principal factors in causing soil erosion. Contributory causes are the slope of the land, removal of the natural protective
coat of vegetation, the existence of ruts along which the water can flow with rapidly gathering momentum, and the
absence of any checks of such flow. Incredibly large quantities of precious soil can be washed away if such conditions
exist, as is too often the case.
The menace which soil erosion presents to the continuance of successful agriculture is an alarming one in many parts
of India, calling urgently for attention and preventive action. The terracing of land, construction of bunds to check the
flow of water, the practice of contour cultivation and the planting of appropriate types of vegetation are amongst the
measure that have been suggested. It is obvious that the aim should be to check the flow of water at the earliest possible
stage before it has acquired any appreciable momentum and correspondingly large destructive power.
Water is the basis of all life. Every animal or plant contains a substantial proportion of free or combined water in its
body, and no kind of physiological activity is possible in which the fluid does not play an essential part. Water is, of
course, necessary for animal life, while moisture in the soil is equally imperative for the life and growth of plants and
trees though the quantity necessary varies enormously with the species. The conservation and utilization of water is
thus fundamental for human welfare. Apart from artesian water the ultimate source in all cases is rain or snowfall. Much
of Indian agriculture depends on seasonal rainfall and is therefore very sensitive to any failure or irregularity of the
same. The problems of soil erosion and of inadequate or irregular rainfall are closely connected with each other. It is
clear that the adoption of techniques preventing soil erosion would also help to conserve and keep the water where it
is wanted, in other words, on and in the soil, and such techniques therefore serve a double purpose.
It is evident, however, that in a country having only a seasonal rainfall, an immense quantity of rain-water must
necessarily run off the ground. The collection and utilization of this water is, therefore, of vital importance. Much of it
flows down into the streams and rivers and ultimately finds its way to the sea. Incredibly large quantities of the precious
fluid are thus lost to the country. The harnessing of our rivers, the waters of which now mostly run to waste, is a great
national problem which must be considered and dealt with on national lines. Vast areas of land which at present are
mere scrub jungle could be turned into fertile and prosperous country by courageous and well-planned action.
Closely connected with the conservation of water supplies is the problem of afforestation. The systematic planting of
suitable trees in every possible or even in impossible areas, and the development of what one can call civilized forests,
as distinguished from wild and untamed jungle, is one of the most urgent needs of India. Such plantation would directly
and indirectly prove a source of untold wealth to the country. They would check soil erosion and conserve the rainfall
of the country from flowing away to waste, and would provide the necessary supplies of cheap fuel, and thus render
unnecessary the wasteful conversion of farmyard manure into a form of fuel.
The measures necessary to control the movement of water and conserve the supplies of it can also serve subsidiary
purposes of value to the life of the countryside. By far the cheapest form of internal transport in a country is by boats
and barges through canals and rivers. We hear much about programmes of rails and road construction, but far too little
about the development of internal waterways in India. Then, again the harnessing of water supplies usually also makes
possible the development of hydro-electric power. The availability of electric power would make a tremendous
difference to the life of the countryside and enable rural economy to be improved in various directions.
In one sense, water is the commonest of liquids. In another sense, it is the most uncommon of liquids with amazing
properties which are responsible for its unique power of maintaining animal and plant life. The investigation of the
nature and properties of water is, therefore, of the highest scientific interest and is far from an exhausted field of
research.
About the author
"Water - the Elixir of Life" has been written by Sir C.V. Raman. Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born in the
year 1888, in a Tamil Hindu family. He excelled in his studies from childhood and completed his bachelor's degree at
the University of Madras with honours in physics from Presidency College at the age of 16. He published research
papers while still a student in college in 1906. He went on to do his Masters degree. When he was 19, he joined
the Indian Financial Services as Assistant Accountant General in Kolkata, since he did not find many opportunities in the
field of science. Later, he was appointed as a Physics Professor in the University of Kolkata in 1917. He founded
the Indian Journal of Physics in 1926. On Feb 28th, 1928 he made revolutionary discoveries in the field of "light
scattering". The phenomenon came to be known as the "Raman scattering/Raman Effect". The day is celebrated by the
Government of India as the National Science Day every year. (Scattering is a term used in physics to describe a wide
range of physical processes where moving particles of any form (light/sound), is forced to deviate from a
straight course). He became the first Indian Director in the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore in 1933, and
subsequently founded the Indian Academy of Science. Further, he established the Raman Research Institute in 1948
where he worked till the end of his life. He received his much-desired Nobel Prize in the year 1930 and was the first
Asian to receive the Prize in the field of science. Following the same, he received the "knighthood" that year which
enabled him to add "Sir" in front of his name. He was given many honorary titles, memberships in science societies and
elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna award in 1954. In the year 1970, Sir C.V.
Raman suffered a heart attack while he was in his laboratory. He passed away a few days after the incident.

EXPLANATION
Humans have always searched for a magical medicine, which if drunk once, maintains all forms of life healthily;
a spiritual substance which can sustain all forms of life forever. But the real cure is right in front of our eyes - the most
common type of liquid substances - the humble plain water! The author recollected his experience when he had been
to the Libyan desert. He stood on the line that split the Libyan desert from the Nile Valley in Egypt.
On one side, he saw huge waves of sand without a single green spot or any life on it. On the other side, he saw the most
fertile, most occupied land on earth - swarming with people and greenery. He wondered what brought about
this magnificent difference. It is due to the river Nile that flows down the Mediterranean, from a distance
of 2000 miles. Geologists, or people who study about the constituents of earth, claim that the river itself has created
the soil of the Nile valley. It has accumulated all the excellent mineral sediments from its floodwaters while flowing from
the Abyssinia highlands and interiors of Central Africa. It has been sedimenting in the trenches where the river Nile
flows into the sea, for hundreds of years. The author says, the country Egypt itself was created by the river Nile. It has
given life to the whole civilization and sustained the livelihood in the area by its regular presence, every year.
The author says he had mentioned the example of Nile, and that he can state many more - only to reiterate the fact that
we do not take "water" seriously. Since it is the most common substance found on Earth, it does not mean it is not
essential. It is the most powerful and glorious thing on Earth. It has a huge role in defining our history and is continuously
playing a critical part in our life on this planet. Water, in any form, adds beauty to a place - it can be a
small stream dripping down the rocks, or a small pond on the way where domestic animals satisfy their thirst during
evenings. It makes the whole place beautiful.
The concept of rain-fed tanks is common in South India, where tanks are built to collect rainwater and used
for irrigation. It looks lovely when such tanks are full, and is a wonderful treat for the eyes. But the system has not been
given proper care and maintenance. They have less depth, but it does not matter - the water is full of mineral
sediments and it reflects the light in such a way that the river-bed part is not seen from outside. These tanks
are essential for agriculture in South India. Some huge tanks are a beautiful sight, especially during sunrise and sunset
time. The author compares the water in a land area to the eyes in a human face. He explains its importance as
it demonstrates the mood of the hour - when the sun is bright and shining, the water also sparkles bright; it becomes
dull and dark when it is cloudy.
A distinguished fact about water is that it has the power to carry mineral sediments or fine particles of soil in a mixture
state. This is how water gets its colour in the rainwater tanks. The colour keeps changing with the earth's different
forms, in the tanks where rainwater is stored. It varies according to the different weather patterns - when there is fresh
rain, the colour changes into brighter tones. Fast-moving water has the power to carry bigger and heavier particles, due
to its force. But the dissolved small particles keep moving within the water, even if it has greater volume; they travel to
far distances. Such constituents - though small, they are higher in number and huge amounts of solid sediments travel
in water through this method. When the water with soil and minerals mixes with the seawater, there is a swift action
of precipitation. Precipitation means the water that falls as rain or snow, due to the chemical reactions in the
environment. This action is very evident to our eyes when we travel by steamboats in huge rivers to the deep sea. The
colour of the water also varies continuously from muddy red, brown (when silt is mixed in it) to different shades
of yellow/green and finally becomes blue in the deep sea. A detailed study of the silt-deposited soil in such areas
has revealed that the silt has thus formed vast areas of land. These lands are very fertile in nature.
One of the most important geological processes is the simple flow of water. It is one of the primary reasons for
the conversion of rocks (from earth's crust) into soil. Though it serves as a huge advantage, there is an equal
disadvantage as well. In some circumstances, it erodes the soil which forms the basic layer of all farming lands. If not
checked at appropriate conditions, it can have devastating effects for the whole country. Washing away of the soil is
one of the grave problems in India, especially being an agricultural country. The causes and measures to avoid soil
erosion have to be examined carefully.
Soil erosion takes place in a step-by-step process. The first few stages may not be evident; but as it progresses to the
later stages, the cutting and washing away of the earth's soil is very clearly seen, and it is worrisome. It is visible in the
formation of deep, narrow passes which makes the land unfit for farming. Sudden heavy rain is a huge factor
contributing to this problem - heavy rains result in massive outflow of water, which washes away the soil along with it.
Other factors which worsen this problem are:
 slope in the land - makes water rush out faster
 there is no vegetation (trees) on the land, which can naturally check erosion
 ruts or grooves made by the passage of vehicles, allows quicker, stronger outflow of water
 absence of any checks of such outflow of water
Such erosions can wash out unbelievable quantities of soil. It is to be noted that such huge amounts of soil are washed
away frequently! This problem of soil erosion proves to be a significant threat to agriculture in many parts of India. It
requires immediate action and calls for preventive measures. Some of them are:
 Terracing of land refers to a process of cutting pieces of sloped land into a series of successively receding flat
surfaces or platforms, which resemble steps. It stops water from rushing out and therefore silt sediments are
also retained.
  Building walls (bunds) around water bodies to hold back water
 Contour cultivation or ploughing is the farming practice of planting across a slope following its elevation border
lines. These borderlines already formed in the hill slopes, (contours) create breaks for water, reducing the
formation of gullies during heavy rainfall. This process allows water some extra time to settle in the soil before
it gets washed away.
 Planting correct types of crops in the related areas of soil. Each crop requires a different kind of soil and
climate and it has to be grown accordingly.
The primary purpose of the above measures is to check the inflow/outflow of water at the earliest possible stage before
the water gains speed and force to wash away the topsoil along with the nutrients. It can save us from massive
destruction in future. Water is a basic necessity. All plants, animals, even humans, have a considerable amount of water
in their bodies. Fluids facilitate physical movements in the body parts to function smoothly. Like how water is imperative
for body functions in animals, it is also vital for plants. Wetness in the soil is an essential factor that decides the growth
of crops/plants. Each species has varying levels of consumption of water. Hence, conservation and effective
utilization of water resources is a basic requirement for the welfare of the people.
Artesian water is a specific type of underground water that comes out through springs, due to natural pressure. Except
for artesian water, our only sources are rainwater or snowfall. Indian agriculture depends heavily on monsoon rains and
is immediately affected when seasonal rains fail.
Soil erosion and insufficient rains are related to each other. If the preventive measures are adopted effectively, it checks
soil erosion and also helps to protect the available water resources on and in the soil. Therefore, it serves a double
purpose.
It is clear that India being an agricultural country, depends on seasonal rainfall. When a considerable quantity of water
comes down as rainfall in a particular season, some part of it must be able to run off the ground. At the same time, we
need to collect and effectively use the excess water in future. Hence this conservation of water is of great importance.
A lot of the rainwater flows into the rivers and streams and finally reaches the ocean. Large amounts of silt-laden
water (with all nutrients) are thus mixed in the sea, making a huge loss for the mankind.
We have to take control of the abundant water and use it to produce sustainable energy - it is a matter of national
importance. If we can handle this issue with a well-planned and bold course of action, enormous areas of land which
are wasted as shrubs and bushes can be converted into fertile farming lands. Another aspect closely connected with
the conservation of water resources is afforestation. Planting trees according to the vegetation, climate and soil in every
possible bit of land is essential. Converting all the wild forests into fertile lands that reap benefits is the need of the hour
in our country. Such an action would lead to a good amount of creation of wealth for the country.
 Having more trees also helps in preventing soil erosion.
 Conserve rainwater by avoiding wastage.
 Reduce the conversion of farm manure into fuel, as it provides for more fuel at cheaper rates.
The measures discussed above, to handle the flow of water and to conserve water, also serves a secondary purpose. It
helps the people of the country by serving as a mode of transport. One of the cheapest forms of transportation in a
country is the water transport (boats). Boats sail through canals and rivers. Instead of spending huge amounts on rail
and road transport system, we can concentrate on internal waterways. Also, hydro-electric power may be tapped from
the water resources. The production of electric power can greatly benefit rural parts of India, and it facilitates growth
in all directions. Water is the most common form of all liquids because it is available to all. But how can it also be the
most uncommon form is a question: it has wonderful properties which enables it to sustain plant and animal life. How
can the most common form of liquid also have such exceptional properties? The examination of the nature and features
of water is always of tremendous interest and research in the field of water is still a never-ending process.

Summary
This lesson has been written by Sir. C.V. Raman. He has emphasized on the importance of the world's most common
liquid. Man has been searching for an imaginary elixir of life for ages - but the true medicine is very near to our hands;
it is the simple water. He draws example of the Nile valley civilization to show how one side is the most fertile land on
the earth while the other is a sea of billowing sand without a speck of green. Nile river is the life-giving waters that has
created and sustained the whole country of Egypt.
Water adds beauty to the countryside, be it a small stream or the rainfed tanks that are a common sight in South India.
These tanks store the silt-laden water full of nutrients and minerals which are precious to the crops. But they are
often neglected and not properly maintained. Swiftly flowing water carries fairly large and heavy particles while the
finer particles which are more in number are carried to great distances.
The flow of water plays a great beneficial role in the geological process of converting rocks into soil. India, an agriculture-
based country, depends on seasonal rainfall/snowfall, as it is the only source other than the artesian water.
Conservation of rainwater becomes a huge responsibility when soil erosion is not checked. Soil erosion though may not
be evident at first; it is painfully apparent at the later stages when deep gullies and ravines are formed, rendering
agriculture impossible. It calls for urgent preventive action - terracing of land, construction of bunds, contour
cultivation and planting appropriate types of vegetation are some of the measures suggested by the author. These
measures serve a double purpose of preventing soil erosion and keeping the water on and in the soil.
The author also brings in other benefits of water like using boats for a cheaper transport system and hydro-
electric power, which can uplift rural areas of India. Water is both the most common and uncommon liquid. The
investigation about the nature and properties of water will always be of the highest scientific interest!

CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL
In this chapter, C.V. Raman talks about water and how essential it is to human life, and terms it a great source of wealth
to the country. He goes on to elaborate about problems caused by water such as soil erosion, and how it can be
combatted through conservation and utilization of water, and afforestation.
Water: Man’s Greatest Resource - For a long time, man has been trying to find the elixir of life to achieve immortality.
But the true elixir of life is plain water. Raman brings up the example of the Nile in Egypt and how it has created a fertile
valley rich with life and vegetation to prove this. Egypt’s ancient civilization was created and maintained by the life-
giving waters of Nile. This emphasizes how a common thing like plain water has shaped the course of the earth’s history
and continues to do so.
Rain-fed tanks in South India play an important role in agriculture. Water carries silt which gives a characteristic colour
to these rain-fed tanks. And although often neglected, they add beauty to the countryside, as do little streams and
ponds. Water in the landscape is like eyes in a human face- they reflect the mood of the hour by reflecting the sky.
Soil Erosion and Methods to Combat it - Water can also play a destructive role and wash away soil, which is the basis of
all agriculture, thus disastrously affecting the life of the country. Soil erosion is a serious problem in many parts of India,
and we must closely study the measures to prevent it.
The early stages of soil erosion may pass unnoticed. In the later stages, it creates deep gullies and ravines that make
farming impossible. Sudden bursts of heavy rain are responsible for causing such soil erosion. Other causes are the slope
of the land, removal of trees that protect the soil, hollows through which the water can flow rapidly, and the absence
of checks to such rapid flow.
Soil erosion is a great disturbance to successful agriculture in many parts of India, and this calls for urgent attention and
preventive action. Some of the methods that have been suggested are terracing of land, construction of bunds, contour
cultivation and planting of appropriate types of vegetation. The aim is to check the flow of water at the early stage
before it has the power to erode land.
Conservation of Water and its Advantages - Water is the basis of all life. All animals and plants contain a great amount
of water in its body, and water plays a part in all bodily activities. The moisture in the soil is essential to the growth of
trees. So, the preservation and utilization of water is necessary for human welfare.
The main sources of water are surface water and rain or snowfall. Much of Indian agriculture depends on seasonal
rainfall and is affected by its failure or irregularity. Soil erosion and irregular rainfall are closely connected. Thus,
preventing soil erosion would also help conserve water.
In a country that only has seasonal rainfall, a lot of rainwater flows down into streams and rivers and finally into the sea.
A huge amount of precious water is therefore lost to the country. Harnessing our rivers and utilizing their water must
happen on a national level. Large areas of scrub jungle land could become fertile through well-planned action.
Afforestation - The problem of afforestation is also closely connected to water conservation. Suitable trees should be
planted systematically in all areas, and civilized forests must be developed. This would serve as a source of great wealth
to India. It would check soil erosion, as well as conserve water.
Other Benefits of Water Conservation - Measures for controlling water movement and conserving water would also
improve life in the countryside. Waterways, the cheapest form of internal transport, should be developed. Harvesting
of water would also produce hydroelectric power which would enable the improvement of rural life and economy. It
would enable more groundwater to be tapped, helping overcome the difficulties arising from inadequate or irregular
rainfall. Water, although considered the commonest of liquids, has amazing properties that maintain animal and plant
life. So, the study of the nature and properties of water is of the highest scientific interest and has a great scope of
research.
Conclusion - Water is one of man’s greatest resources, and must be treated as such for the benefit and improvement
of human life. It aids agriculture, the backbone of the country, but also causes problems such as soil erosion. Proper
conservation and utilization of water is of utmost importance because it can solve these problems as well as help in the
development of the country.

Water is a vital ingredient for survival of all living beings. Imagine a day without water no water to drink, wash, or to
cook! People can survive without food for days but not without water. About 70% of earth’s surface is covered with
water. Of this 97% is saline and 2% is fresh which is present in the form of ice caps, glaciers, icebergs or in the
atmosphere. Only 1% can be used for drinking. We are heading towards a freshwater crisis that is leading to poor access
to safe water for millions of people. Hence, conserving water has become the need of the hour, along with an efficient
management system, to ensure a steady supply for the future.
Humankind has always searched in vain for an imaginary elixir of life, the divine amrita. A draught of this elixir was
thought to confer immortality. But Raman feels that the true elixir of life is water. This single liquid can change the entire
scene. He remembers that he was standing on the line which separates the Libyan Desert from the valley of the Nile in
Egypt. On one side was a vast area covered with sand and without a speck of green or a single living thing. On the other
side was one of the greatest, most fertile and densely populated areas. It was teeming with life and vegetation. The only
thing which made the difference was water. It was the water of the river Nile. Geologists say that the entire soil of river,
Nile is the creation of the river itself. Its ancient civilization was created and sustained by the life-giving water of the
Nile.
We take granted this common substance in everyday life. But we forget that water is the most potent and wonderful
thing on the earth. It has played a very important role in shaping the course of earth’s history. It continues to play the
leading role in the drama of life on earth. Nothing can add so much to the beauty of the countryside as water. In south
India, the rain-fed tanks are very common. They are shallow but the bottom of the tank is not visible due to silt-laden
water. These tanks play a vital role in south India agriculture. Much of rice is grown under them.
One of the most remarkable facts about water is its power to carry silt in suspension. This suspension is the reason for
the different colours of the water in a rain-fed tank. Swiftly flowing water can carry fairly large and heavy particles. The
finest particles remain with the water and are carried to a large distance. When silt-laden water mixes with the saltwater
of the sea, there is rapid precipitation of the suspended matter. The colour of the water changes successively from the
muddy red or brown of silt through varying shades of yellow and green finally to the blue of the deep sea. A large land
is formed by silt thus deposited. Such land is very fertile. The flow of water plays a great part in this process; sometimes
it can be destructive also.
The problem of soil erosion is of major significance. It occurs in step by step. The cutting up and washing away of the
earth will make agriculture impossible. The sudden burst of excessively heavy rain resulting in a large run of surplus
water is the principal factor in causing soil erosion. Soil erosion is dangerous to agriculture. Some measures can be taken
to check soil erosion. They are terracing of the land, construction of bunds to check the flow of water, the practice of
contour cultivation and the planting of appropriate plants.
Water is the basis of all life. Each animal and plant contains water in its body. No activity is possible without water.
Water is necessary for animal life. The moist in the soil is necessary for the growth of plants and trees. So, the
conservation and utilization of water is most important for human welfare.
Indian agriculture depends on rainfall. The problems of soil erosion and irregular rainfall are closely connected with
each other. By preventing soil erosion, we can conserve and keep the water where it is wanted. So, the collection and
utilization of rainwater is very important. Much of the water flows down the streams and rivers and thus a large quantity
of water is lost.
A vast area of land could be turned into a fertile and prosperous country by courageous and well-planned action. The
systematic planting of suitable trees is the urgent need of India. Such plantation would, directly and indirectly, prove a
source of wealth to the country. They would check soil erosion and conserve the rainfall of the country. Water is the
commonest of liquid, but it is also the most uncommon of liquid with amazing properties. These properties are
responsible for its unique power of maintaining animal and plant life. The investigation of the nature and properties of
water is, therefore, of the highest scientific interest.