168 Geological Observations upon 



lion of the issuing stream, which instantly brings the diver to the sur- 

 face. When the river is much swollen by freshets, the mouth of the 

 spring and the surface of the bridge are many. feet beneath the level 

 of the river. I could learn nothing satisfactory concerning the tem- 

 perature of the water. 



Other fountains in some respects, still more remarkable, have been 

 described to me as existing upon the St. Johns ; but before alluding 

 lo them, it may be worth while to quote the accounts of a few, as 

 given by Bartrara in his travels above alluded to. This traveller and 

 naturalist observes during his solitary voyage upon the St. John, while 

 crossing that expansion of this stream, called Lake St. George, 



" The morning being clear, I set sail with a favorite breeze, coasting 

 along the shores ; when on a sudden the waters became transparent, 

 and discovered the sandy bottom, and the several nations of fish, pass- 

 ing and repassing each other. Following this course I was led to the 

 cape of the little river, descending from Six Mile Springs, and mean- 

 dering six miles from its source through green meadows. I entered 

 this pellucid stream, sailing over the heads of innumerable squadrons 

 of fish, which, although many feet deep in the water, were distinctly 

 to be seen." p. 157. 



Having landed and taken a position for observing the spring to the 

 best advantage, he continues, 



" Just under my feet, was the inchanting and amazing crystal foun- 

 tain, which incessantly threw up, from dark, rocky caverns below, tons 

 of water every minute, forming a basin, capacious enough for large 

 shallops to ride in, and a creek of four or five feet depth of water, 

 and near twenty yards over, which meanders six miles through green 

 meadows, pouring its limpid waters into the great Lake George, 

 where they seem to remain pure and unmixed. About twenty yards 

 from the upper edge of the basin, and directly opposite to the mouth 

 or outlet of the creek, is a continual and amazing ebullition, where 

 the waters are thrown up in such abundance and amazing force, as to 

 jet and swell up two or three feet above the common surface : white 

 sand and small particles of shells are thrown up with the waters, near 

 to the top, when they diverge from the centre, subside with the ex- 

 panding flood, and gently sink again, forming a large rim or funnel 

 round about the aperture or mouth of the fountain, which is a vast 

 perforation through a bed of rocks, the ragged points of which are 

 projected out on every side. Thus far I know to be matter of real 

 fact, and I have related it as near as I could conceive or express my- 

 self. But there are yet remaining scenes inexpressibly admirable and 

 pleasing. 



