EIVERS. 33 



So at Morecomb-bottome, in the parish of Broad Chalke, on the north side of the river, it has 

 been observed time out of mind, that, when the water breaketh out there, that it foreshewes a deare 

 yeare of corne ; and I remember it did so in the yeare 1648. Plinie saieth (lib. ii. Nat. Hist.) 

 that the breaking forth of some rivers annoiue mutationem significat. 



[At Weston-Birt, in Gloucestershire, near the borders of Wiltshire, water gushes from the ground 

 in spring and autumn, and at other times, in many hundred places at once, and continues to flow 

 with great rapidity for several days, when the whole valley, in which the houses are placed, is 

 completely filled. The street of the village is provided with numerous rude bridges, which on these 

 occasions become available for purposes of communication. J. B.] 



"Tis a saying in the West, that a dry yeare does never cause a dearth. 



Anno 1669, at Yatton Keynel, and at Broomfield in that parish, they went a great way to water 

 their cattle ; and about 1640 the springs in these parts did not breake till neer Christmas. 



