18 The Water Supply of Constantinople. 



and thus protect the soil from the influence of the sun 

 and winds, and insure the regularity and permanence of the 

 flow. These forests at the same time might aid in protect- 

 ing the vicinity of the city from the spread of the dunes or 

 sands. And, lastly, the restriction of the use of public 

 water to the amount specifically paid for, being only a ques- 

 tion of time, all are interested to provide for the different uses 

 of city life, such an amount of water as can be obtained 

 from wells and cisterns on their own premises. Others 

 also might be maintained at the public expense. 



