38 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



of their declivities. These springs continue, 

 when the whole plain for many miles round is 

 so parched and burnt up with drought, that ve- 

 getation almost ceases. Could these springs be 

 supplied with water derived from rain, when it 

 has ceased for months ; or has not been enough 

 to preserve the vegetables from perishing ? 

 From what other source then could they be 

 supplied, but from the water which is perma- 

 nently and plentifully in the bowels of the earth, 

 and is not dissipated or wasted by evaporation 

 or heat ? 



