on Rivers and Canals. 593 
proportion to its depth. The reafon of this is evident 
from all that has been faid. 
3dly, Wherever the banks are too low to contain the 
ftream in all its Actuations, they mull be fufficiently 
raifed; which may be conveniently done with what is 
dug out from the bed: and the whole being covered 
with green turf will render thefe banks firm and 
folid again ft the corrofion of the water. It is proper at 
all times to lay upon the banks what is dug from the 
bed, by which they are continually ftrengthened againft 
the force of the current. 
4thly, It is often neceflary to diminifh the windings 
and finuofities in the channel as much as poffible, by 
making new cuts whereby its courfe may approach to- 
wards a right line. This is a great refource in flat coun?- 
tries fubject to inundations ; becaufe thereby all the de- 
clivity of a great extent of the river, through its turns 
and windings, may be thrown into a fmall fpace by cut- 
ting a new channel in a ftraight line ; as may generally 
be done without obftacle in fuch countries as I am fpeak- 
ing of, and hereby the velocity of the current will be 
very greatly augmented, and the back-waters carried off 
to a furprizing degree, as is evident from what is faid 
above in N° 2,9. 
