46 
Experiments and Observations to deter- 
mine whether the Quantity of RAIN and 
DEW 5 equal to the Quantity of WATER 
carried off by the Rivers and ratsed by 
Evaporation ; with an Enquiry into the 
ORIGIN of SPRINGS. 
BY JOHN DALTON. 
READ MARCH 1, 1799. 
It is scarcely possible to contemplate without 
admiration the beautiful system of nature by 
which the surface of the earth is continually 
supplied with water, and that unceasing circula- 
tion of a fluid so essentially necessary to the very 
being of the animal and vegetable kingdoms 
takes place. Naturalists, however, are not una- 
nimous in their opinions whether the rain that 
falls is sufficient to supply the demands of springs 
and rivers, and to afford the earth besides such 
a large portion for evaporation as it is well 
known is raised daily. To ascertain this point 
is an object of importance to the science of 
agriculture, and to every concern in which the 
procuration and management of water makes 
a part, whether for domestic purposes or for 
the arts and manufactures. 
For the sake of perspicuity I have distributed 
the subject under four heads ; 
