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IIVTROOUCTOKy ESSAY. 



The natural superficial springs of Barbados arc 

 not very numerous. The inhabitants of the flat 

 country are supplied with water principally from 

 wellSj which are frequently of very considerable 

 depth, sunk entirely through the coralline rock; 

 but running streams arc abundant in the hilly 

 district, in which occur several saline, and chaly- 

 beate springs. There is also a spring in Scotland, 

 called the Burning Springs which generally attracts 

 the notice of the traveller. This little streamlet 

 rises in a deep sequestered ravine, at the foot of 

 a hill richly clothed with timber; and on its first 

 appearance forms for itself a little basin, in which 

 the water is in a continued state of ebullition, from 

 the passage of inflammable gas through it. This 

 readily inflaming on the application of a lighted 

 taper, gives to the spring its characteristic appel- 

 lation. The gas does not, indeed, rise in great 

 quantity, but the scenery in the approach to the 

 spot is beautiful and imposing; and one can hardly 

 view it without fancying what might have been its 

 celebrity, and importance, had it been known to a 

 people prone to attach superstitious veneration to 

 unusual phenomena. 



The saline springs make their appearance at an 

 inconsiderable height above the level of the sea, 

 throvigh the sides, and very near the base of clay 

 hills, abounding in gypsum ; and it is quite evident 

 that the saline beds, over which they flow, and from 



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