70 The Effects of a Drought 



swell the volume of waters, but this accession 

 is as rapidly run off. In ordinary summers 

 the volume is reduced to considerably below 

 the estimated average measurements, but the 

 stream has seldom before been known to be 

 absolutely dry throughout its course. For a 

 period of five weeks the water from the 

 springs along its valley were insufficient to 

 give it running water, and in many cases 

 there was no perceptible moisture at the 

 fountain-heads. As the water gradually dis- 

 appeared, that portion of the stream's fauna 

 dependent wholly upon moisture as fish, 

 turtles, and batrachians collected in the 

 pools, particularly those beneath bridges, and 

 there, by overcrowding, soon poisoned the 

 water, to which no fresh supply was being 

 added. It might be asked why these ani- 

 mals, except the fish, did not seek other and 

 healthier localities, but the reason is plain. 

 Everywhere about them was an arid region 

 exposed to a tropical temperature into which 

 they did not dare to venture. Again, while 

 lingering in the pest-holes into which they 

 had gathered, they had gradually undermined 

 their strength and were too weak to travel 

 when, if ever, it occurred to them to do so. 



