THE 



EDINBURGH NEW 

 PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL, 



On Springs, Artesian Wells,* and Spouting Fountains. By 

 M. Aeago. 



It may not be out of place to preface the following observa- 

 tions with the remark, that the ancients were not ignorant of 

 these various kinds of wells, and it would moreover seem that 

 they were acquainted with their construction. Thus, Olympio- 

 dorus narrates, that when wells are sunk in the Oasis of the de- 

 sert, to the depth of two, three, and sometimes five hundred 

 ells, water springs from the orifices, so as to form rivers, of which 

 the farmers avail themselves for the irrigation of their fields-f-. 

 Again, there seems just ground to suppose, that, in certain parts 

 of Italy, artesian wells were used at a very remote period ; for 

 Bernardini-Romazzini informs us, that in excavating the rub- 

 bish of the very ancient town of Mcdena, leaden pipes are some- 

 limes found, which apparendy communicate with old wells ; for 

 what could be the use of these pipes, at the depth of seventy or 

 eighty feet under the surface, if it were not to convey far be- 

 neath the unwholesome surface water, those hmpid and pure 

 streams which now supply all the fountains of the modern city ? 



We have no means of ascertaining if artesian wells were 

 known at so remote a period in France. The most ancient is 

 said to be that of the Convent of the Chartreux at fillers, in 

 Artois; reported to have been constructed in 1126. I am also 



• Named Artesian Wells, from the French provuiceof^Woi*, where exten- 

 sive researches were carried on for the discovery of subterranean water. 



■f This statement is borrowed from Niebuhr. Olynipiodorus flourished at 

 Alexandria about the middle of the sixth century. 



VOL. XVIII. NO. XXXVI. APRIL 1835. t 



