856 Observations on an _ 
came from the pen of the younger Pliny ; 
who flourished as a statesman and a man of 
letters in the time of Trajan. The account 
may be found in the concluding letter of the 
fourth book of his epistles ; and the following 
is an attempt to give it in my own language, 
as I have no translation of the work in my 
possession. 
Puiny to Licinius. “I am going to pre- 
“‘ sent you with a description of a natural cu- 
“ riosity in the neighbourhood of my country 
‘¢ house, in hopes that it will prove an interest- 
“‘ ing speculation to a person of your extraor- 
“ dinary attainments. A spring rises on the side 
“ of a mountain, and runs along a rocky chan- 
“ nel into an artificial basin placed in a summer- 
“house, where it is for some time detained, and 
‘¢ then falls into the Larian Lake. This foun- 
“ tain possesses a surprising property; for it 
“ flows and ebbs thrice a day, observing a 
“‘ stated law of increase and decrease. This 
“ singular circumstance, may be observed with 
“ ease, and is calculated to amuse the specta- 
“tor. You may sit in the apartment, make a 
“ slight repast, and drink of the water of the . 
‘‘ fountain ; which is deliciously cool. In the 
“ mean time the reciprocating motion of the 
“ spring proceeds equally, and. in a manner 
‘‘ which is easily ascertained, by placing a 
