79 



But after all, this is only theory; and to assume it to be true, 

 and thence to explain effects on that assumjition as if it were an 

 undoubted laAv of nature, is jumping at a concUision, and standing 

 in the Avay of our arriving at truth, by preventing us taking the 

 trouble to examine in each case whether such an explanation is 

 fairly founded on facts. 



Thermal springs are found all over the world, and of all 

 temperatures. 



In China, in Japan, in Kamschatka, in Siberia even, where, as 

 at Yakutsh, the soil is permanently frozen to a depth of 630 feet, 

 the hot springs nevertheless arise among the giant mountains of 

 the Himalayas, in the Islands of Java and Sumatra, in the plains 

 of Hindostan, in the sandy deserts of Arabia, in the ancient land 

 of Asia Minor, in the new world of Australia. In the Andes of 

 South America and the Eocky Mountains, and the Alleganies of 

 North America, and Trinidad, which halts between the tAvo, in 

 New Zealand our Antipodes, in Iceland, we have them of every 

 variety. 



The most important, at least in a medical point of view, exist 

 in Europe. 



Spain is full of them, especially in the provinces of Granada, 

 Seville, and Biscay, the most celebrated being the hot springs of 

 Fuente Caliente, in Valencia. , Portugal contains many_. amongst 

 which sulphurous thermals predominate. 



Sicily contains many, amongst which may be mentioned the 

 sulphurous springs of Segesta, between Palermo and Trapani, 

 which have a temperature of 165°. Naples abounds in hot 

 springs; there is a remarkable one called the Stufa di Nerone, 

 near Tritoli, west of the lake Averno, and where, in the depth 

 of a grotto, water nearly boiling is found; then there are the 

 famous Baths of Baj«, the fashionable Baths of Nero's time. In 

 the Papal States there are the Acqua Albula, near Tivoli, Avhose 

 praises have been sung by Virgil ; they are sulphurous, and some 

 of the springs hot and some cold ; then there are the Bagni di 

 Stigliano, which vary from 100° to 122°. 



