132 REPORT—1858. 
to the cauld, and found, much to his surprise, that there was hardly any water in 
the river. There were here and there a few pools, where there were hollows in the 
channel; but there was no longer a running stream. The channel continued dry 
for four or five hours—after which the water began gradually to flow, till the waters 
reached the same level they were at previously. At this place the Teviot is on an 
average about 50 feet wide, and 2 feet deep. 
“The same phenomenon took place in the Nith, in the parish of Durrisdeer, at 
Enterkinefoot. The channel was so dry, that a person could have walked across 
without wetting his stockings. 
“It was observed also in the Clyde, a little above New Lanark. The extensive 
cotton-mills at that place were for some hours stopped, in consequence of an entire 
cessation of the current. Numbers of fish were caught with the hand, and many 
persons walked across without wetting so much as the soles of their feet. 
“‘ The above particulars we have taken from the newspapers, and we do not vouch 
for their perfect accuracy ; but we have no reason to doubt it, as the statements have 
not been contradicted. 
“« Tt appears that the same phenomenon has occurred frequently before. In the 
Teviot, it is known to have occurred at least five times between the years 1748 and 
1787. It happened also in the Clyde in the year 1787, and within a few days of its 
occurrence in the Teviot : and it is remarkable, that, in regard to both of these rivers, 
the part of the channel where their waters disappeared, turns out to be the very 
place where they disappeared last month. But there are several other rivers, both 
in England and in Scotland, where the same phenomenon has been observed within 
the last half-century. 
“We feel satisfied that our readers will share with us an extreme anxiety to 
discover, if possible, the cause of this singular phenomenon: and we will now ex- 
plain to them in what way they can be instrumental in assisting in this discovery. 
“‘The first object should be to obtain a minute and accurate account of all the 
facts apparently connected with the phenomenon, at the places where it was observed. 
We are happy to learn that steps have been taken for this purpose by persons well- 
qualified for such an inquiry. Butas itis just possible, that even they may not have 
gathered up all the circumstances calculated to throw light on the subject, our readers 
in these quarters would do well to note down, ere it fades from their memories, any 
thing particular which they observed. 
«< We may now allude to the different theories which have been started to account 
for the phenomenon, because they will immediately show the importance of 
gathering together as many facts as possible. It is by facts alone that these theories 
will be confirmed or refuted. 
«©Some persous ascribe the phenomenon toa severe frost which occurred on the 
morning of Nov. 27, and which, it is said, froze up the streamlets and springs that 
supplied the rivers where the phenomenon was observed, We cannot see how, on 
any philosophical principles, the effect here stated would follow from such a cause. 
But, even if it were sufficient to produce it, then the same phenomenon should have 
occurred in the Tweed, the Jed, and all the rivers where the frost reached. More- 
over, it should be observed every winter, and it ought to have been very strikingly 
observed last winter. Besides, the waters should, after the frost gave way, have 
risen considerably above their usual level, which, it is said, was not the case. 
“© We have adverted to these inferences from the theory just mentioned, in order to 
show how its truth or falsehood may be tested; and many of our readers may be in 
possession of facts which will supply this test. 
“* Another theory has been proposed, which, we confess, appears much more pro- 
bable. It is suggested, that a fissure may have been formed under or across the 
channels of the above rivers, into which their waters found their way. The current 
would thus cease to flow in its ordinary channel until the fissure closed, or was 
filled up by the sediment and water poured into it. The fissure might be either a 
crack across the country, or a local sinking of the ground. It is well known that 
earthquakes frequently produce such effects; and there are few yearsin which, in 
some parts of Scotland and England, the shock of an earthquake is not felt. When 
the Clyde stopped in January 1787, a rivulet in the parish of Strathblane, in Stir- 
lingshire, which drove a mill, also disappeared. On the same day, the shock of an 
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