139 



frost, and the steadiness of its supply, are 

 the only excellencies which are . found in 

 this, and not in other waters. Mr. Bos- 

 well, as we have seen, ventures further 

 upon this idea of heat than Mr. Smith, 

 and supposes it possible that heat may 

 be generated by the friction of the water 

 upon the grass as it passes through it; 

 but what velocity must Mr. Boswell 

 give to this water to produce this wonder- 

 ful effect? At least the rapidity of the 

 wheels of a mail-coach will be required. 

 Heat, surely, must be a very meagre al- 

 lowance of food for hungry grasses ; for 

 the most eminent chemists and philoso- 

 phers have proved, that grasses stand in 

 need of a constant supply of meat as well 

 as drink. They have discovered that 

 plants are foul feeders, and, like Fal- 

 STAFF, " forswear thin potations.*' The 

 celebrated Mr. Bergman and Mr. Ruc- 

 KERT have shewn, by a minute analysis, 



that 



