42 



" In regard to the diminishing of subterranean waters, we can adduce the following 

 evidence : — 



"As we have in the preceding chapter shown, from observations on the water level 

 continued through long series of years, that there has been seen in later decades a lower- 

 ing of the level of the lowest and of the mean annual flows, while the high floods conse- 

 quent on storms of rain, have become of more frequent occurrence — from which it comes 

 to pass that a greater quantity of wajer is thus carried away at such times than formerly 

 — it follows as a consequence that if the quantity of the rainfall remains the same, the 

 proportion of this flowing away on the surface of the earth in such circumstances has 

 increased. On the other hand the proportion sinking below the surface must be less ; 

 and from this it comes to pass that the quantity of the subterranean water supply, the 

 drainage and superficial waters, and with them the springs which are fed by them must 

 have been reduced ; and the correctness of this conclusion can be established by the f ol- 

 lowing facts : — 



" Prom these long continued observations on river levels we have further proved 

 that on brooks, streams, and rivers, in these later times, the lowest and mean levels, and' 

 also the quantity of water delivered, have been being continuously reduced, and that to a 

 marked degree ; and that in the very months during which the water courses have been 

 fed almost exclusively from subterranean flows of water and from springs the diminution 

 of the water delivered has been greatest. Whence it may with all justice be concluded 

 that in these later times the water supplies in subterranean reservoirs and the water 

 bearing strata have decreased, and also that drainage waters and the springs in a river 

 basin in their collective contributions now furnish smaller water supplies to the feeding 

 of the river course than was the case at an earlier period." 



Herr Wex goes on to say : — " I consider that I have satisfactorily proved, by the 

 foregoing observations, deductions, and examples, that in recent times the supply of 

 water in subterranean reservoirs, and in the water-bearing strata of the earth, is being 

 diminished ; further, that many of the drains and springs of to-day have become some 

 quite dry, and others yield a comparatively small supply ftf water ; and finally, that 

 through these changes the lowest and the mean water-levels in brooks, streams, and rivers 

 are being continuously lowered, and the quantities of water delivered by them continu- 

 ously diminished. 



" If this continuous diminution, which has been going on for the last 140 years, is 

 to go on continuously still, then will these results and change? on the surface of the earth 

 entail on coming generations evils, and evils of incalculable extent and magnitude. 

 Through the lowering of the level, and reduction of the rivers and of the subterranean 

 drainage, and also through the alternation of very wet and very dry years, — such as is 

 shown by the diagram referred to, to be prevailing, — will the fertility and productiveness 

 of the land be reduced in no inconsiderable degree, and not a few lands now covered with 

 luxuriant vegetation will become veritable deserts, cheerless and desolate. 



" After the drying up of many brooks and streams, and after the conversion of 

 streams and rivers into torrents, in consequence of these changes, men would have to go 

 for their water supplies for drinking and for domestic use, and for other purposes, either to 

 the deeper-lying water-bearing strata of the earth, or to a greater distance from their 

 dwelling ; whereby the cost of the water consumed would be increased, while many 

 industrial establishments and manufactories would be deprived altogether of the supply 

 of water indispensably necessary to their operations, and would have either to adopt 

 expensive means of providing a substitute for what has been lost, or remove to some 

 remote district -wrhere brooks and rivers have not as yet been deprived of their water 

 supplies. 



" Finally, by the continuous diminution of water in streams and rivers, the former 

 would become quite dry through the greater part of the year, and the latter would become 

 unnavigable. 



" As, through the consideration of what has been advanced, it may thus be seen 

 that, through the continuous diminution and lowering of the flowing water on the surface 

 of the earth, there is imperilled — and that to a great extent — ^not only the prosperity and 

 the health, but also the existence of future generations, it is desirable that numerous 



