Dr. Lathrop’s account of the springs and wells in Boston, 65 
those strata are composed, cannot retain the waters they imbibe, but 
must discharge them either from the sides, or convey them to the 
deep stratum of hard earth and clay, which is found in the centre of 
the hill. As this stratum is very compact, and conforms, as all the oth- 
ers do, to. the shape of the hill, the water, which is filtered through 
the sands above, cannot enter it; but must pass down its convex sur- 
face, without affording any supplies to the springs which are found 
below it. No reservoir can be fouind in the hills, on the peninsula, 
sufficient to raise water in the wells 75 or 80 feet above the level of 
the sea. Nor i is it less difficult to find the sources of the lower springs, 
without going to some distance. Under a stratum of clay, generally 
more than 100 feet thick, which is found in all ‘the low parts of the 
town, there are waters, ‘either in veins of sand and grayel, or in cur- 
rents, passing continually to the sea. Whenever those veins or cur- 
rents are opened by the spade or auger of the well digger, water is 
forced up with violence, and in some cases flows over on the ground. 
As reservoirs are not to be found on the peninsula, sufficient to 
supply t the springs, and to raise the water in wells so much aboye the 
sea, where shall we look for Ahent 5 is Gales we must look into the. 
country. All the waters, which are collected in the mountains, and 
elevated parts of the earth, are constantly pressing, towards the ocean, 
The waters in the rivers make their way without much difficulty ; 
while those immense bodies, which are confined in the great lakes, 
and in ponds, some of which are many miles in circumference, are 
- constantly pressing on the sides and seeking a passage in veins of sand 
and gravel, which are found at different depths, and convey water 
wherever their courses are directed. | oe 
While we look to the mountains, some Fe ick rise “above “the 
ordinary « course of the clouds, in every quarter of the world, as the Ori= 
? sprees of PE. apd Dae the sources of the springs on our 
