VOL. XVI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 415 



they ake to get them off is to get some other person to make water upon the 

 !eech, which makes it let go its hold. 



There are in the mountain near the lake, but something higher than it, two 

 great and terrible stony caves, which, though far distant from each other, have 

 yet the same effect, viz. when it thunders, these two caves emit water with a 

 wonderful and incredible force, and with it sometimes a great quantity of ducks 

 with some fish. It is not to be wondered that the lake fills so fast, (or consi^ 

 dering the violence with which the water rushes, it is like a great river ; this 

 cave being a fathom wide, and higher than a man. It is dangerous to enter into 

 this cave, because the waters come so suddenly, that it is sometimes impossible 

 to escape them. 



When it rains moderately, the water spouts with great violence !2 or 8 fathoms 

 perpendicularly out of the pits Koleu and Keslenza. It comes likewise forcibly 

 out of the spring Tresenz, as likewise out of Velkioberch, bringing witW it Jlt 

 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 offish. 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 irt 

 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 matiy 

 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. 20 days 

 after it is fully dry, they cut a great quantity of hay upon it. After ihe hay \i 

 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 hunting ; 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 



