CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 83 



The increase and decrease is plainly visible and very amusing to 

 observers. You sit down by the side of the fountain, and whilst 

 you are taking a repast, and drinking its water, which is extremely 

 cool, you see it gradually rise and fall. If you place a ring or any 

 thing else, at the bottom, when it is dry, the stream reaches it. by 

 degrees till it is entirely covered, and then gently retires ; and if you 

 wait you may see it thus alternately advance and recede three suc- 

 cessive times. Shall we say that some secret current of air stops 

 and opens the fountain head as it approaches to or retires from it, 

 as we see in bottles, and other vessels of that nature, when there is 

 not a free and open passage, though you turn their necks down- 

 wards, yet the outward air obstructing the vent, they discharge 

 their contents as it were by starts? But may it not be accounted for 

 upon the same principle as the flux and reflux of the sea 1 Or as 

 those rivers which discharge themselves into the sea, meeting with 

 contrary winds and the swell of the ocean are forced buck into their 

 channels: so may there not be SOUK tiling that checks this fountain, 

 for a time, in its progress] Or is there rather a certain reservoir 

 that contains these waters in the bowels of the earth, which, while 

 it is recruiting its discharges, the stream flows more slowly and in 

 less quantity; but when it has collected its clue measure, it runs 

 again in its usual strength and fulness. Or, lastly, is there on I 

 know not what kind of subterraneous counterpoise that throws up 

 the water when the fountain is dry, and stops it when it is full I 

 You, who are so well qualified for the enquiry, will examine the 

 reasons of this womleiful phenomenon : it will be sulhcient for me, 

 if I have given you a clear description of it. Farewell. 



[Mtlmotti* Trans.] 



3. Padcrborn Spring. 



IN the diocese of Paderborn, in Westphalia, there is a spring which 

 disappears twice in twenty-four hours, returning always after six. 

 hours with a great noise, and so forcibly as to drive three mills not 

 far from its source. The inhabitants call it the bo;derborn, that is, 

 the boisterous spring. 



[PhiL Trans. 1(565.] 



There are various chemical remarks appended to the above brief 



02 



