to Abingdon. During this section of its route, 

 it becomes mingled with several tributary 

 streams : the Isis^ at Cricklade, from the south ; 

 the Boy and the Ock, which, flowing eastward, 

 join it at Abingdon, and which rise out of the 

 same ridge of hills which give birth to the 

 Churne, the Colne, the Lech, the WindrusJi, 

 and the Evenlode. From Abingdon, with many 

 sinuosities, it runs east-south-east to Reading, 

 receiving in its course the Thame and the Ray, 

 which spring from the foot of the north-eastern 

 chalk ridge, beyond Aylesbury. At Reading, 

 on the south, it is joined by the Kennet, and a 

 little beyond, by the Lodden. From Reading 

 it winds towards the north, returning to the 

 same parallel of latitude at Staines, where its 

 volume is augmented by the waters of the 

 Colne. Hence to Kingston, its direction is 

 eastward, in which route is the Wey, from 

 Farnham, and the Mole, from the south. Its 

 course from Kingston to Brentford is north, and 

 thence, by many windings, to the sea. Between 

 London and the ocean it receives, the Lea, from 

 Hertfordshire, and the Roding, from Essex, on 

 the north ; and on the south the Darent, and, 

 close to its mouth, the Medway, from Kent. 

 The whole length of the course of the Thames 

 is upwards of three hundred miles; and the 



