168 Geological Observations upon 
tion of the issuing stream, which instantly brings the diver to the sur- 
face. When the river is much swollen by freshets, the mouth of the 
spring and the surface of the bridge are many feet beneath the level 
of the river. I could learn nothing satisfactory concerning the tem- 
perature of the water. 
Other fountains in some respects, still more remarkable, have been 
described to me as existing upon the St. Johns; but before alluding 
to them, it may be worth while to quote the accounts of a few, as 
given by Bartram in his travels above alluded to. This traveller and 
naturalist observes during his solitary voyage upon the St. John, while 
crossing that expansion of this stream, called Lake St. George, 
“The morning being clear, I set sail with a favorite breeze, coasting 
alung the shores; when on a sudden the waters became transparent, 
and discovered the sandy bottom, and the several nations of fish, pass- 
ing and repassing each other. Following this course I was led to the 
cape of the little river, descending from Six Mile Springs, and mean- 
dering six miles from its source through green meadows. I entered 
this pellucid stream, sailing over the heads of innumerable squadrons 
of fish, which, although many feet deep in the water, were distinctly 
to be seen.” p. 157. 
Having landed and taken a position for observing the spring to the 
best advantage, he continues, 
“ Just under my feet, was the inchanting and amazing crystal foun- 
tain, which incessantly threw up, from dark, rocky caverns below, tons 
of water every minute, forming a basin, capacious enough for large 
shallops to ride in, and a creek of four or five feet depth of water, 
and near twenty yards over, which meanders six miles through green 
meadows, pouring its limpid waters into the great Lake George, 
where they seem to remain pure and unmixed. About twenty yards 
from the upper edge of the basin, and directly opposite to the mouth 
or outlet of the creek, is a continual and amazing ebullition, where 
the waters are thrown up in such abundance and amazing force, as to 
jet and swell up two or three feet above the common surface: white 
sand and small particles of shells are thrown up with the waters, near 
to the top, when they diverge from the centre, subside with the ex- 
panding flood, and gently sink again, forming a large rim or funnel 
round about the aperture or mouth of the fountain, which is a vast 
perforation through a bed of rocks, the ragged points of which are 
projected out on every side. Thus far I know to be matter of real 
fact, and I have related it as near as I could conceive or express my- 
self. But there are yet remaining scenes inexpressibly admirable and 
pleasing. 
