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THE 
AMERICAN 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS, 
[SECOND SERIES.] 
Art. L-* -On the Optical Phenomena ee by the ‘ Silver- é 
Spring,” in Marion County, Florida; by JouN LeCont#, M.D., an 
Prof, of Hasaest Philosophy i in the South Carolina College.* 
THE extraordinary reports in relation to the optical phenom- 
ena said to be exhibited by the “Silver Spring,” induced me, 
under the invitation and guidance of my hospitable ane t Col. 
. G. Summer of Florida, to visit it during the month of De- 
cember, 1859. And although, as might have been anticipat 
many reputed facts vanished under the scrutiny of careful obs 7 
vation, and all its so-called mysterious and wonde nomen 
are obviously referable to well-known hysical rineiples; e 
it may be interesting to give a brief statement of them, and to, 
eae how they may be referred to the recognized laws 
ysics | 
J This remarkable “Spring” is situated near the centre 0 
rion county, in the State of Florida, in latitude (about) 2 
North, and longitude 82° 20’ West. It is about five miles 
east of Ocala, the county seat, and nearly in the axis of 
ninsula, being equally distant from the peasy | 
Its waters are discharged b 
- me (viz: _puvenepnagy 
unites with the Sg iweb 
iver. 
