S22 A Bijfertation on the 



alfo, completely difproves the theory. Springs make 

 their way nearly to the tops of the Andes. If the pref- 

 fure of the Ocean is fufficient to force the water of the 

 Abyfs to fuch a height ; but little of its force can have 

 been fpent in fuch fprings as ilTue on plains. In 

 thefe, therefore, the water, inftead of merely gurgling 

 upwards, as they adually do, fhould rife m jets ; and 

 contiue rifmg, until the impulfe communicated by this 

 preifure was overcome by the refiflance of the air, and 

 the Force of Gravity. 



As to the length of the cracks or fiflures conne6ling 

 Springs with the Abyfs, it fhould be remarked that the 

 Cruft or Shell of the Earth cannot, on any reafonable 

 fuppoiition, be conlidered as lefs than feveral miles in 

 thicknefs. In a Globe of 8000 miles diameter, with a 

 centrifugal force at its equator fo powerful as that of 

 the Earth ; it will be readily /^// by every man, that 

 unlefs the Cruft were folid and fubftantial, there would 

 be conftant and imminent hazard of fomething worfe 

 than a xneYeJiJfure. Springs, alfo, are often two or three 

 miles above the level of the Ocean. Each Spring muft 

 have its own filTure commencing at the furface of 

 the Abyfs, and reaching through the Cruft to the ori- 

 fice. The man, who can believe that the Supreme Be- 

 ing could devife no ealier and better mode of watering 

 the Earth, muft I think, be in great danger of thinking 

 him, fo far as his wifdom is concerned, altogether fuch an 

 one as himfelf. 



Leaving, then, our fubterranean refearches, we will 

 examine the Theory, which difcovers the Origin of 

 Springs in Vapour. 



Vapour, as here ufed, is a comprehenfive term, in- 

 cluding all the water, that rifes from the furface of the 

 Earth by evaporation ; and all, that defcends on it in 

 the form of dew, fog, mift, rain, fnow, and hail. 



This Theory may be thus explained. The Ocean is 

 conftantly lofing vaft quantities of water by evaporation. 

 Electrified bodies attract light fubftances floating near 

 them. The Land is more highly eledrified than the 



