a7id Spouting Fountains. 227 



If it were necessary to make any addition to the proofs which 

 we have already given of the existence of rapid subterranean 

 rivers, in situations where, till lately, they were never suspected, 

 the phenomena of the famous fountain at Nismes might well 

 be mentioned. 



In great droughts, the issue from the fountain is reduced 

 sometimes to about 145 gallons per minute; but when it rains 

 heavily in a north-westerly direction, and at a distance of between 

 six and seven miles, then, as M. Valz imforms me, an increase 

 in the fountain almost immediately takes place ; and its small 

 issue of 145 gallons per minute is succeeded by one of 1100 

 gallons per minute, whilst in spite of the enormous increase, 

 there is scarcely any variation in the temperature of the water. 

 Thus then, on its raining only at a distance in a north-west di- 

 rection, the fountain of Nismes augments ; it therefore follows 

 that it must be fed from a distance, through long channels; 

 which accounts for the uniformity of the temperature in the great- 

 est and most sudden overflowings. The increase succeeds the 

 rain at a very short interval: hence the water has flowed rapidly 

 through a long distance ; which is the opposite of what would 

 happen in infiltration, however permeable the bed might be 

 We conclude, therefore, that the fountain of Nismes is fed by 

 one or more subterranean rivers. 



WHAT is THE POWER WHICH CAUSES THE SUBTERRANEAN WATERS 

 TO RISE, AND PROJECTS THEJI AT THE SURFACE OF THE GLOBE .'' 



If water be poured into a tube which is bent into the shape 

 of the letter U, it there assumes a level, and maintains itself in 

 the two branches at vertical heights which are exactly equal. 



lowed. I cannot, however, say so much for another statement of the same 

 naturalist, which asserts that the origin of these waters of the wells at Tours 

 must be necessarily sought for in some moist valley of Auvergne or the Viva- 

 rais. 



" Pierre de la fallee mentions, that in the islands of Strophades, according 

 to the statement of the monks who inhabit them, there is a fountain, which 

 must have its source in the Morea, whence it reaches there, by flowing under 

 the bed of the ocean. Along with the waters of the fountain, there were of- 

 ten transported things which could only come from that continent. On one 

 occasion a drinking cup made its appearance, which was fashioned out of a gourd 

 and adorned with silver." This quotation is taken from the work of Pierre 

 Perrault, entitled De fOrigine des Fontaines. But in our times, we must not 

 believe every thing we hear without some little hesitation. 



