1.   In the headwaters of most rivers there are large tracts of agricultural land and a virtual absence of industrial discharges.

2.   The problem lies in the virtual absence of water in the Martian atmosphere.

3.   In fairness to its selectors one must stress the virtual absence of any important body of writing expressing an alternative Left viewpoint.

4.   But Erhardt still has not seen the rushing results here, even though the offense has been improving since its virtual absence in the season opener in Denver.

5.   Despite the virtual absence of inflation now, Dudley said, growth this fast always increases the risk that wages and prices will start to creep steadily upward.

6.   In the virtual absence of discussion, Japan is making an enormous military commitment solely by issuing a joint declaration.

7.   More troubling is the virtual absence of doors for the poor to escape poverty.

8.   Nothing gave a better idea of how carefully Ford had thought out each detail, especially in relation to Saint Laurent, than the virtual absence of accessories.

9.   Perhaps just as odd has been the virtual absence of serious debate about policies of any other kind.