[ 358 ] 
great diflance, through the upper part of the atmo 
fphere, where the refiflance is lead ? 
LIV. ExtraB of a Eetter from Profeffor Pofe, 
of Witte mberg, to the Right Honourable 
George Earl of Macclesfield, Pr. R S. 
with Obfervations thereupon , by Mr, Wm, 
Watfon, F, R, S, 
Read Dec. 6, 
I 7 S 3 - 
I 
Wittemberg, Augufl i, 1753. 
N the beginning of Augufl 17 52 , after 
great and continued rains, many of our 
rivers overflowed their banks, and covered the neigh- 
bouring grounds, more or lefs according to their le- 
vel, to a confiderable diftance : and the quantity of 
water was fo great, that in fome places it was not 
difcharged for more than a week. More particularly 
the river Unftrut in the territory of the landgrave of 
Thuringue required a very great time to empty itfelf, 
not only as that river runs over a large trad; of coun- 
try, but alfo as between Artern and great Jena, where 
this river joins the Sale, its bed in feveral places is 
very much confined. 
When the inundation was abated, it was obferved 
from the little city Laucha quite up above Artern, not 
only upon the fields and meadows, but alfo . upon the 
bufhes and trees, that there was a green and very tough 
vifcous Dime, which by the help of a flick could be 
drawn out to two or three ells in length. The fub- 
leqnent heat of the fun dried this matter, and it ap- 
peared like wool upon the bullies j but the fields, 
when 
