244 MODE OF DRYING MARSHES. 



of very late Neptunian origin ; and this crude ftate of the 

 land not yet fully relinquifhed by its antient oceanic pof- 

 feffor is the probable caufe of ague being endemic. The 

 important queftion arifing on this ftatement is, how 

 may the fuperfluous waters be removed ? — i anfvv^er by 

 evaporation. On this fubieit let fatts fpeak ; they only 

 can throv/ light on fuch a fubjedl, and lay a folid foun- 

 dation for theory ; if this agent be found effedtual in pro- 

 portion to the intenfity of the climate, and if it has pro- 

 duced the defired effcCt in a much cooler climate than 

 that of America, a fortiori^ it will prove more efficacious 

 and more quickly fo in that country. 



The temperature of Ireland though equable feldom af- 

 fords three months fummer weather, i. c. above 6o^' 

 Fahrenheit's ; yet after the moft rainy winters (and 

 frequently here fall 30 inches of rain in the year) the 

 temporary pools called Titrlotighs which collect in all our 

 confined valleys, evaporate wholly, even before fummer 

 comes on, though the atmofpherc is generally loaded 

 with moifture, nay almoft faturated with it from the 

 ocean and other feas around us : and though here are 

 wanting the two great requifites for evaporation viz. 

 Air chemically dry, and heat comparatively fpeaking, 

 the caufe of this happy effed: is very partial, it is the 

 continental wind which always vifits us periodically and 

 Tvith the fun after winter ; it is abfolutely dry though not 

 hot ; it in one months blowing, and ever without ftorms, 

 rids the whole ifland of its fuperfluous water, and even 

 leaves the fields parched, the roads almoft impaflable for 

 the dull, and the lips of the inhabitants chapped and 

 cleft by the quick evaporation. This is the feafon which 

 reftores tone to our bodies relaxed and debihtated by a 

 warm wet winter ; for we have no epidemic inflamma^ 

 tory difeafes until the continental wind comes from the 

 Eait, 



2 Here 



