384 Prof. Bischof on the Natural History of 



springs, those consequently which rise from a greater depth, run 

 out clear. 



I have instituted some experiments in order to ascertain 

 what must be the extent of a single mass of water, which re- 

 tains a uniform temperature, when a given quantity of water 

 is added to it, whose temperature varies with the variable tem- 

 perature of the rivers of our latitude, and when from it '^ dis- 

 charged an equal quantity of water, whose annual variations of 

 temperature are limited to those observed in the coldest of the 

 Pader springs.'^* The water-district (Wassergebiet) of these 

 springs is about 216 millions of square feet, and the quantity 

 of water which they afford in one minute 16,5J30 cubic feet, ac- 

 cording to measurements, as accurate as the nature of the thing 

 would admit. It was calculated, from these numerical data, 

 that a mass of water, 120 feet in depth, must be present in this 

 district where the springs rise, if all the water which sinks here 

 in half a year produce an alteration of temperature of 2°.25 F., 

 presupposing that a mean difference of 22°. 5 exists between the 

 temperature of the water which sinks, and of that which lies 

 in the fissured rock. Since, however, the presupposition that all 

 the springs in Paderborn undergo this variation of tempera- 

 ture of 2°.25 in a half year, applies only to those whose average 

 temperature does not exceed 50°.6 F. ; while the warmer springs, 

 which are by far the more numerous, exhibit no variation of 

 temperature during the whole year ; the size of the subterra- 

 neous reservoir must be much vaster, if such considerable quan- 

 tities of water of a uniform temperature flow from it, while 

 the water, which sinks and is added to it, suffers variations of 

 temperature dependent on those of the atmosphere. 



" It is really a remarkable fact to see so considerable a number of springs 

 rise in so small a compass as the lower part of the town of Paderborn^ 

 Their number is said to amount to 130, several of which constantly appear 

 close together, often at the distance of but one or two paces, and imme- 

 diately form considerable brooks, which by their union form the Pader, so 

 large a river, that its different branches turn no less than fourteen undershot 

 water-wheels of the town situated near together. Almost equally large 

 masses of water, however, derive their sources from Lippspring, Kirchbor- 

 chen, and Upsprung, not to mention the many other springs which lie dis- 

 persed at the foot of that chain of hills. 



