" at once that all argument head urged, if at all, against the rule itself; and end examine the rationale rule Now the human body, in general, is neither much lighter nor much heavier water Seine; , the specific gravity human body, in its natural condition, is about equal bulk of fresh water which it displaces The bodies of fat and fleshy persons, with small bones, and of women generally, are lighter than those lean and large-boned, and of men; specific gravity water of river is somewhat influenced presence tide from sea But, leaving this tide out of question, it said that very few human bodies will sink at all, even in fresh water, own accord Almost , falling into river, enabled to float, if he suffer the specific gravity water fairly adduced in comparison own - , if he suffer his whole person immersed, with as little exception as possible The proper position swim, upright position walker on land, head thrown fully back, and immersed; the mouth and nostrils alone remaining above the surface Thus circumstanced, find that we float without difficulty and without exertion evident, however, gravities body, and bulk of water displaced, are very nicely balanced, trifle will cause either to preponderate An arm, for instance, uplifted water, and thus deprived support, is an additional weight sufficient to immerse the whole head, while the accidental aid smallest piece of timber will enable us to elevate the head so look about Now, struggles of one unused to swimming, the arms are invariably thrown upwards, while an attempt is made the head in its usual perpendicular position The result immersion mouth and nostrils, inception, during efforts to breathe while beneath the surface, of water lungs Much is also received stomach, whole body becomes heavier difference weight air originally distending these cavities, fluid which now fills them This difference is sufficient to cause the body to sink, as general rule; but is insufficient cases of individuals with small bones and an abnormal quantity of flaccid or fatty matter Such individuals float even after drowning

"The corpse, being supposed bottom river, will there remain until, by some means, its specific gravity again becomes that bulk of water which it displaces This effect is brought about by decomposition, or otherwise The result of decomposition generation of gas, distending the cellular tissues and all the cavities, and giving the puffed appearance so horrible distension has progressed bulk corpse is materially increased without corresponding increase of mass or weight, its specific gravity becomes that water displaced, and it forthwith makes its appearance surface But decomposition is modified by innumerable circumstances - is hastened or retarded by innumerable agencies; for example, heat or cold season, mineral impregnation or purity water, by its depth or shallowness, by its currency or stagnation, temperament body, by its infection or freedom from disease before death Thus evident that assign no period, with any thing like accuracy, at which the corpse shall rise through decomposition Under certain conditions this result brought about within an hour; under others, it take place at all chemical infusions the animal frame preserved foreverfrom corruption; the Bi-chloride of Mercury is one But, apart from decomposition, , and very usually is, generation of gas stomach, acetous fermentation of vegetable matter (or within other cavities from other causes) sufficient to induce distension which will bring the body surface The effect produced firing of cannon of simple vibration either loosen the corpse soft mud or ooze imbedded, thus permitting it to rise when other agencies have already prepared it for so doing; or it may overcome the tenacity of some putrescent portions cellular tissue; allowing the cavities to distend under the influence gas

"Having thus the whole philosophy subject, easily test the assertions of L'Etoile 'All experience shows,' says this paper, 'that drowned bodies, or bodies thrown water immediately after death by violence, require from six to ten days for sufficient decomposition place to bring them top water Even when cannon is fired over corpse, and it rises before five or six days' immersion, it sinks again if let alone '

"The whole paragraph must now appear tissue of inconsequence and incoherence All experience show that 'drowned bodies' require from six to ten days for sufficient decomposition place to bring them surface Both science and experience show period rising is, and necessarily , indeterminate If, moreover, body has risen surface through firing of cannon, 'sink again if let alone,' until decomposition has progressed permit the escape generated gas But your attention distinction made between 'drowned bodies,' and 'bodies thrown water immediately after death by violence ' Although the writer admits the distinction, he yet includes them all same category shown how body of drowning man becomes specifically heavier than its bulk of water, sink at all, except struggles he elevates his arms above the surface, gasps for breath while beneath the surface - gasps which supply by water the place original air lungs But these struggles and these gasps occur body 'thrown water immediately after death by violence ' Thus, latter instance, the body, as general rule, sink at all - fact L'Etoile is evidently ignorant When decomposition had proceeded to very great extent - flesh had in great measure left the bones - then, indeed, but not till then, should we lose sight corpse

"And now we argument, body found that of Marie Rogt, because, three days only having elapsed, this body was found floating ? If drowned, being woman, she might never have sunk; or having sunk, reappeared in twenty-four hours, or less But no one supposes her drowned; and, dying before being thrown river, she found floating at any period afterwards whatever

" 'But,' says L'Etoile, ' body kept in its mangled state on shore until Tuesday night, some trace found on shore murderers ' Here at first difficult to perceive the intention reasoner He means to anticipate what he imagines an objection theory - viz: body was kept on shore two days, suffering rapid decomposition - morerapid than if immersed in water He supposes that, had this been the case, it appeared surface Wednesday, and thinks that only under such circumstances it could so have appeared accordingly in haste to show not kept on shore; for, , 'some trace found on shore murderers ' I presume you smile sequitur be made how the mere duration corpse shore could operate to multiply traces assassins Nor can I

" 'And furthermore exceedingly improbable,' continues our journal, 'that any villains who had committed such murder as is here supposed, thrown the body in without weight to sink it, when such precaution so easily been taken ' Observe, here, the laughable confusion of thought ! No one - not even L'Etoile - disputes the murder committed body found The marks of violence are too obvious our reasoner's object merely to show body Marie's He wishes that Marie assassinated - not corpse was not Yet his observation proves only the latter point corpse without weight attached Murderers, casting it in, have failed to attach weight Therefore not thrown in by murderers all proved, if any thing is The question of identity even approached, and L'Etoile at great pains merely to gainsay now what it has admitted only moment before ' perfectly convinced,' it says, ' body found of murdered female '