CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 101 



tiver ; this cave being a fathom wide, and higher than a man. It 

 is dangerous (o enter into this cave, because the waters come so 

 suddenly, that it is sometimes impossible to escape Ihera. 



When it rains moderately, the water spouts with great violence 2 

 or 3 fathoms perpendicularly out of the pits Koteu and Keslenza. 

 It comes likewise forcibly out of the spring Tresenz, as likewise out 

 of Velkioberch, bringing with it at this latter abundance of fish, 

 and some ducks. But when it rains very hard and long together 

 especially with thunder, then the water breaks out with very great 

 force, not only from all the aforesaid pits, holes, and caves, but 

 likewise at several thousand other little holes, which are all over the 

 bottom of the lake, and which, when the lake is dry, drink up the 

 waters of the eight rivulets that run into it, spouting several fathoms 

 high, from some perpendicularly, from others obliquely, making a 

 very pleasant sight. And out of the pits Vodonos, Rescheto, and 

 some others, having great holes at the bottom, there comes with 

 the water a great quantity of fish. In case of great rains, the eight 

 rivulets running into it are likewise much increased ; so that, all 

 things concurring, this lake in 24 hours time will, from quite dry, 

 be full of water, and sometimes in 18 hours; though at other times 

 it has been known to be 3 weeks in filling ; but it is a constant 

 observation, that thunder helps much to fill it speedily. 



This lake, being thus by turns wet and dry, serves the inhabitants 

 for many purposes. For first, while it is full of water it draws to 

 it several sorts of wild geese and ducks and other water fowl, as 

 herons, swans, &c. which may be shot, and are very good meat. 

 Next, as soon as the lake is emptied, they pluck up the rushes and 

 weeds, which make excellent litter for cattle. Twenty clays after it 

 is fully dry, they cut a great quantity of hay upon it. After the 

 hay is off, they plough it and sow millet, which sometimes by the 

 too sudden coming of the water is destroyed, but it generally comes 

 to maturity. While the millet is on the ground, they catch a great 

 number of quails. The millet being off, there is a good pasture 

 for cattle. When the lake is dry, there is great variety of limiting; 

 as there comes out of neighbouring woods and mountains plenty of 

 hares, foxes, deer, swine, bears, &c. as soon as the water is gone. 

 When it is full, one may fish in it. In winter time it will be so 

 firmly frozen as to bear all sorts of carriages, which is a great con- 

 venience to the people to fetch their wood and other necessaries; 



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