Ebbing and Flowing Well. 359 
a consideration of importance, in the natural 
history of reciprocating fountains. As for the 
question of accuracy, it has been decided in 
the uncle’s favour by Catanaeus, the learned 
commentator on the epistles of the nephew; 
who says, the fountain continued to recipro- 
cate in his time, that the neighbours called 
it Pliny’s well, and that it answered to the 
description given of it, by the elder writer of 
that name. After all, future observations may 
prove, both these anthors to be in the right. 
Perhaps. it will be found, that wet weather 
accelerates the reciprucations of the spring, 
by increasing its discharges ; while a dry sea- 
son diminishes the efflux of water, and makes 
the fountain ‘more dilatory in its operations, 
The preceding conjecture is countenanced by 
the reciprocating spring at Giggleswick; for 
it ebbs and flows most frequently after copious 
rains; but the depth of the well shews. the 
greatest variations, when the efflux is but 
small. 
The elder Pliny also takes notice of another 
reciprocating spring, and gives the following 
short. character of it with bis usual brevity. 
“The fountain of Jupiter, in Dodona, ex- 
“ tinguishes lighted tapers like any other cold: 
“‘ water ; but if a taper be, first extinguished,; 
“and then brought to the surface of the welly 
