124 Springs ) Rivers , and the Seat, 



CHAP. VIII. 



Of Springs, RiverSy and the Sea. 



HAVING viewed water as it takes its 

 departure from the bosom of the deep 

 and forms the watery meteors, we shall 

 now survey it as it rises in the salient 

 spring, and gives birth to the gurgling 

 rill, or uniting, gives coolness to the land- 

 scape in the magnificent stream, that irl 

 its ample range fertilizes its neighbour- 

 hood. 



Various have been the theories, or 

 rather hypotheses relating to the origin 

 of springs ; but it seems the general o- 

 pinion of those who have made this 

 branch of natural philosophy their study, 

 that the true principles which supply the 

 waters of fountains or springs, are mel- 

 ted snow, rain water, and condensed va*- 

 pours. 



