On Rain, Evaporation, Ge. 367. 
; 4. 
On the Origin of Springs. 
The Origin of Springs has always been justly 
considered as a question of natural history wor- 
thy, of investigation.—In the infancy of science 
hypotheses are formed to account for pheno- 
mena; but when facts are discovered totally in- 
consistent with an hypothesis, it ought to be dis- 
carded, This does not seem to have been the 
case in the subject before us; for various opinions 
are still held by some, which it is impossible to 
support by facts. The object of, the following 
remarks and experiments is to ascertain the dis- 
puted point if possible. | 
There are three opinions respecting the origin 
of springs which it may be proper to notice. 
ist. That they are supplied entirely by rain 
and dew, 
2d. That they are "principally supplied by 
* large subterranean reservoirs of water. 
gd. That they derive their water originally 
from the sea, on the principle of filtration, 
» Itisobvious, that before we pay any attention 
to the two latter opinions, the causes assigned 
in the first ought to be proved insufficient by 
direct experiment, M. de ia Hire is the only 
one who has attempted to do this, as far as my 
G 
