The York-shire spaw, or, A treatise of foure famous medicinal wells viz. the spaw, or vitrioline-well, the stinking, or sulphur-well, the dropping, or petrifying-well, and S. Mugnus-well, near Knare borow in York-shire : together with the causes, vertues and use thereof : for farther information read the contents / composed by J. French, Dr. of Physick.

CHAP. II. Of the original of Springs in general.

BEfore I speak any thing of the Nature of Springs, or Fountaines in particular, it

will be necessary, as conducing to the better understanding of them, to premise something concerning the original of them in general; and the rather, because there have been great controversies betwixt the Stoicks and Peri∣patetickes about the causes of them. Now the several opinions concerning the original of lasting Springs, (which are called Fontes perennes) may be reduced to three heads: for either they proceed from rain-water, or they are generated in the bowels of the earth, or else they must of necessity flow from the Sea through subterraneal channels. If any shall object as some have done, and say they may come from subterraneal lakes, let me demand of them whether those sakes proceed not from some of the three former, and whether they would not in time be exhausted if other∣wise.

Arguments for the first opinion alleadged∣and answered.

Arg. They that contend for the first opi∣nion, such as are Albertus Magnus, Georgius Agricola, &c. Affirme, that in those Countreys where there falls but little rain, the Springs are few and small, and that in winter time all Springs flow more plentifully, than in summer, and that by reason of the wetnes of the Season: and what becomes say they of all the rain, if it sinks not into the earth, and there maintains Springs?

Sol 1. The Assertion concerning the increa∣sing

of Springs in winter is not universally true; for St. Mugnus Well in York-shire (as I was most credibly informed by the Woman that hath looked to it, and been the keeper of it for these many years last past) be∣gins to rise high about May, and to fall low about October; besides divers, more Springs which in several counties of this Nation are dryed up all the Winter, and flow a new to∣wards the Summer. And Pliny makes men∣tion of a certain Spring in Cydonia before Lesbon, that flows onely at the Spring: many more of this nature might be produced if there were occasion.

2. If that were granted to be true which they say, yet it doth not follow that rain is the material cause of Springs, although at that time they break forth, which were before dryed up; for their drying up was not oc∣casioned for want of rain to supply them, but by reason of the dryness of the earth to∣wards its superficies which attracts to it self, and drinks in for the satisfaction of its drought the water of the Springs, which it doth again let go, when it hath drunk plen∣tifully of the showers from Heaven. Now that the dry earth will drink a great quan∣tity of water, you may see by the drying up of Rivers in a long drougth by the drynes of the earth, although the Fountains, which are the heads of those Rivers, flow plentifully at the same time as some do, although others some be dryed up. And as for those Springs

which break forth onely after great rain, they are caused from the rain which is drunk up by some boggie, spongious earth, and is drai∣ned from thence, or which is sunk into some caverne, or hollow place, near the superfi∣cies of the earth through some secret passage thither, and there being collected in some con∣siderable quantity imitates a Spring as long as it lasts.

3. The gratest part of showers of rain fal∣ling upon high places run down from thence into plains, and from plains through small channels or trenchs into Rivers, and that rain, which falls upon any place from whence it cannot in some such manner be conveyed away remains upon the superficies of the earth, till it be exhaled by the Sun, as we see in divers places: besides it cannot be imagined that rain sinks so far into the earth as to sup∣ply Springs; and that because it is generally observed by all that dig in the earth, that rain wetts not the earth above ten feet deep: And the reason hereof Seneca the Philosopher gives in his third Book Naturalium quaestionum chap. 7. Where he saith, that when the earth is satiated with showers, it then receives in no more, and this we see by dayly experience. Besides, when wee dig a Well, although it be in a soft place, wee dig sometimes one, two or three hundred feet deep, before wee come at quick Springs, and that the rain should sink so deep, it is no way probable; nay, al∣though there were hallow veins and chinks

in the earth, through which many would have it passe to a great depth; for who cannot easily conceive that those veins and crannies (which yet are not granted to be in every place where there are Springs) are easily stopt with dust, or dirt, which the rain carryes with it when it is fallen on the earth; or swelled up, and contracted, as we see they are in Sum∣mer time with rain after a long drougth?

Arguments for the second opinion Al∣leadged and answered.

Arg. They that contend for the second opinion, such as Seneca &c. affirme that Springs are generated cheifly of earth changed into water, and that because all Elements are mutually transmutable into one the other. And some, as Aristotle, and H. ab Heers, that Springs are generated of the aire shut up in the earth and by the coldnes thereof con∣densed into water.

Sol 1. It is more probable according to reason and experience, that by reason of the density of the earth water should more easily be converted into earth, than the earth into water.

2. It is to be wondred at, that seeing that ten parts of air (if not many more) serve for the making of one part of water conteina∣ble in the same space there should be so much space in the earth for the containing of so much air as serves for the making of such a quantity of water, as springs dayly out of

the earth: Besides so much air being spent, there would of necessity follow a vacuum, for where should there be so many, and great crannies, or holes to let the air into the earth fast enough? But if there were, yet how is it possible that so much air can be corrupted in such a moment, the whole Elementary air being of its owne nature most subtile, and not being sufficient to make such abundance of water as all the Springs of the earth will amount to? Now although this answer be according to the sence of common Philoso∣phers, and sufficient for the satisfaction of this objection, yet Helmont will not admit of any such supposition, viz. That air and water can at all be mutually transmuted into one the other. It is true, saith he, that water can easily be turned into a vapour, and the said vapour into water again; but this vapour is nothing els materially, and formally but a congeries of atomes of water sublimed, & air will not in cold or heat yeild water any more then it contains in it the vapour, viz. of rarefied water. For saith he, if those two Elements were so mutually convertible, one species must be transmuted into another, and the air that is made out of water, may be again reduced into the same numerical water∣which it was before its rarefaction: but this cannot be unless you will grant that which all Philosophers deny, viz. That A privatione ad habitum datur regressuc: Lastly for the con∣firmation of his opinion, he brings in an ex∣periment:

viz. Air shut up in an Iron pipe of an ell long may be compressed by force, that it will be conteined within the space of five fingers, which, when it expands it selfe, drives out the pellet (with which it was stopt at the one end) with a sound like to that of a gun, which would not be, if the air thus compres∣sed could have been turned into water by the coldnes of the Iron.

Arguments confirming the third opinion, and objections made against it, answered.

The third opinion is the most ancient of all, and was held by Plato, and Thales himselfe one of the first Philosophers in Greece, and not so only, but is also asserted in sacred writ, viz. Eclesiastes chap. I. vers. 7. Where the wisest of men affirmes, that all the Rivers run into the Sea, and yet the Sea is not full, unto the place from whence the Rivers come, thither they return again.

The reason for the confirmation of this opinion are many, but the chiefest are these two: First, because there is not any body be∣sides the vast Ocean, that can afford neer such an abundance of waters as spring from the earth. Secondly, because the Sea it selfe is not increased by that multitude of waters that flow dayly into it, as it must of necessity be, unless they did by occult cavities of the earth return to their Fountaines, as is declared in the fore cited place by the wisest of Philo∣sophers.

Neither is Aristotle's imputing the wasting of the Sea to the Sun and winds, of any force to perswade to the contrary; for although this kind of wasting may be granted in part, yet if it should be according to his judgement, his whole Element of water had bene long since consumed.

Obj. Seeing the Sea according to its situa∣tion is lower than springs (for the course of water is downward) how then doth the wa∣ter thereof ascend so high as the heads of springs, especially those in high Mountains, and Hills?

Sol. I shall first shew after what manner it doth not ascend, according to the opinion of some, for there are divers opinions concer∣ning the causes of its ascent.

1. It is not forced upward by a spirit, or breath that is in the water it selfe, as Pliny, and Vallesius supposed. For if it should be granted that there were any such intrinsecal impulsive spirit, or breath in waters, as it can not rationally be (for it is not observed that the Sea is moved any other way but by tem∣pests sometimes, and the Moon by way of tide) yet that could not (though assisted extrinsecally by strong winds blowing con∣trarily, and that in an open Sea,) force them to the height of springs, much lesse could it alone in subterraneal crooked channels.

2. Neither doth the weight of the earth force it up, as was the opinion of Bodinus, and Thales: For the earth, seeing it is a solid.

and firme body, doth not lye upon, and presse the water, but contrarily, the water the earth: Neither is the earth held up by the water, but the water by the earth, as you may see in all Rivers, Lakes, Pits, and the water of the Sea it selfe, when it is in channels of the earth. For if they should not at any time be quite full, as it sometimes happens, the upper part alone proves empty, which would not be if the waters were pressed by the earth, but con∣trarily.

3. Neither doth the weight of the Sea force it self up as was the opinion of Seneca, who supposed that the greatest part of the water of the Sea is out of its place, viz. above its place in the place of the air, and so above the heads of springs, towards which it forceth it selfe by its natural descent, and so riseth up again as high as the level of the water from whence it came; but he proves it not, onely he asserts it.

But Doctor Jorden in his treatise of Baths being of the same opinion as touching the Seas being higher than the earth (though he holds that the natural place of the waters is above the earth) seemes to give some plausible ac∣count of it: For saith he, although neer the coasts it be depressed, and lower than the shoare, yet there is reason for that, because it is terminated by the dry, and solid body of the earth, as wee see in a cup or bowle of wa∣ter filled to the top wee may put in a great bulk of silver in pieces, and yet the water will

not run over, but be heightened above the brims of the bowl, the like, saith he, we may see in a drop of water put upon a table, where the edges, or extremities of the water being terminated by the dry substance of the table are depressed, and lower than the midle like a halfe globe: But take away the termina∣tion by moistening the table, and the drop sinks even to an evennes. And whereas we see, saith he, that Rivers run downward to∣ward the Sea per declive, it doth not prove the Sea to be lower than the Land, but onely neer the shoar where it is thus terminated, and in lieu of this it hath scope enough assigned it to fill up the Globe, and so to be as high as the Land, if not higher. Now if I should graunt that the Sea were higher in the midle than the highest place of the Land, yet it is very improbable that it should force it selfe to the tops of Mountains sooner than into Rivers which are far lower than the head of Springs, and more open than the narrow channels, and veines of the earth, through which it must passe to the Springs. And for that similitude of his concerning the termi∣nation of water by drynes, it will not hold water, nay it rather makes against him, than for him, for he saith that this termination is taken away by moisture, Now let me de∣mand of him, or of those of his judgment, whether or no many great Rivers terminated in the Sea be not a sufficient moisture for the taking away of the termination of the

water made by the dryness of earth, and so to make the globous Sea to sink to an evennes?

4. And as the water is not elevated by any of the three foregoing wayes of impulse, or forcing, so neither is it by any of these two wayes of attraction, viz. by the power of the Planets, or by the earths sucking it in, as a sponge doth water, from beneath, and sending it to higher places; For the first, there can be no such attractive vertue de∣monstrated; and if there were, it would as well, and promiscously extend a like to Val∣leyes, and low Countreyes where wee see few Fountains, as well as to high Moun∣tains, and Hills, from whence proceed the greatest Springs. As to the second, an at∣tractive vertue, if there were any such here, attracts to this end, that the subject wherein it is, might consume, retain, or enjoy what is attracted, and over and above that, none, or at least not so much as would suffice for the making of Springs.

5. Neither are there such veins, in the earth through which the water should passe, as cloth wine through crooked pipes or cranes which wine-coopers, and Vintners use for the drawing of wine out of one vessel into an other, through which the wine being once sucked, runs continually till all be run forth: For the veines in the bowels of the earth are not wholly, and throughout full, as of necessity they must be before water will ascend through them for

preservation of its continuity and the avoy∣ding of a vacuum.

6. Neither is the water raised to the su∣perficies of the earth by Helmonts sabulum, or virgin-earth, which he saith is a certain sand continued from the Center of the earth in divers places, even to the superficies of the same. and to the tops of some Mountains, which sand hath in it a vitality, and in which as in a vital abode, and natural place, the water, whilest it remains, is living, and enjoyes common life, and knows neither superiority, or inferiority of place, any otherwise than the bloud in the veines which flowes up∣ward to the head, and downward to the feet: But moreover he adds, that when this water is let out of its natural abode, viz. the virgin earth, as bloud out of a veine, it then doth like a heavy thing hasten to its Center, or iliad, viz. the Sea. Now for the confirming of this vitality in water, he brings in this distich of the Poēt

—————undas Spiritus intus alit, vasti quoque marmoris aequor; Mens agitat molem totam diffusa per artus.

And he further adds that the sea hath in it a kind of life, because though the winds cease, yet it hath its spontaneous motions, and observes its tides according to certain ob∣servations that it hath of the course of the moon, as if it would rise to meet her. Now

let us observe the weight of Helmonts argu∣ments; and that indeed is little or none as I conceive, for first he doth not any way de∣monstrate that continuation of his virgin∣earth from the Center to the superficies of the earth, much less the vitality thereof: Se∣condly for the vitality of water he onely quotes a poeticall fiction: and thirdly for the spontaneous flowing of the sea, it is noe more a demonstrative reason for the vitality thereof, than the loadstones attracting Iron a reason of the vitality of the same.

7 Neither is it rais'd upon that account of condensation, & rarefaction, which the learn∣ed Docter Flud, endeavours to demonstrate by the experiment of his weather-glass. The air, & water, saith he, fill up all the cavities of the world, so that in what hemispheare the air, by reason of cold is condensed, there the waters are rarefied, and swell, as may be seen in the weather-glass, where the water is rarified, and raised highest, when the air is with cold most condensed; as also in the swelling of springs in frosty-weather. Now although this his experiment of the aforesaid glass doth prettily illustrate the busines of condensation, and rarefaction in close vessels, yet it doth not demonstrate sufficiently the raising of waters from the deep subterraneall channells to the superficies of the earth, for it is apparent, as I have shewed in the former part of this chapter, that some springs swell more in summer than in winter; Se∣condly

if springs do rise higher in time of frost than in hot seasons, it is onely either because some subterraneall vapours, which could not evaporate by reason of the earth being constringed with cold, are condensed into water, and so make for the present some small addition to springs, or because the subterraneall waters are rarified, and swell by that heat which is occasioned through the aforesaid binding of the earth, for we see by experience that springs are hot∣ter in frosty weather than in summer. And thirdly because the water of that weather∣glass if it were open at the top as the veins of fountains are, would not observe the na∣ture of the season so, as to rise or fall ac∣cordingly, for that in a close glass it ariseth onely ad evitandum vacuum; and now ra∣ther than nature should suffer a vacuum by the airs being condensed, vapours and fumes would proceed out of the earth, nay the next adjacent warm air would come in as a sup∣ply to prevent a vacuum, sooner than wa∣ter in the bowels of the earth could be rari∣fied, which would not in an open glass be raised at all, though the weather were never so cold.

By these seven negatives it appears how the waters in the earth do not ascend, I shall endeavour to demonstrate how they do ascend to the heads of Springs.

It is absurd to think (being the same which Aristotle himself and his followers graunt)

that the waters should not be elevated from the bottom of Caverns, to the heads of Springs after the same manner as water is elevated from the Sea to the midle region of the air. Now this elevation is done by the force of heat resolving the water into va∣pours. And if so, why then may not the other be done after the same manner, viz: by heat: Neither is it any matter whether that heat be above, or beneath the waters, if so be it forceth them into vapours, and maketh them ascend as high as is requisite they should. But it may be said that the middle region of the air is very cold, and it is coldness that condenseth vapours into water: but now the earth, through which these vapours pass, is warm, as is agreed by most. To this I answer, that it is not necessa∣ry that there must be cold for the conden∣sing of vapours into water, it is sufficient if there be a more remiss degree of heat, as you may see in the head of an alembick, and the cover of a seething pot, the interior super∣ficies thereof being full of drops, whilest they themselves are warm.

Now for the making of a vapour of any liquid matter, heat is altogether, and absolu∣tely necessary, according to the opinion of all, and for much vapour there is much heat, and a considerable proportion of humour required. But seeing abundance of water comes from the Sea into the bowels of the earth, the subterraneall heat, which must be

in like proportion, being the chiefest cause of the generations of Springs, is next, and diligently to be inquired into. Now that the earth is hot, it is known by daylie experience. And Lucilius Baldus saith, that the earth being newly digged is hot, & smoketh, and that out of deep wells is drawn warm water, and especially in winter season by reason of the cold binding the earth, and keeping in the heat: but how this heat comes to be in the earth, he speaks like a Stoick, and saith it is in it as naturally, as vitall heat is in animals. But this opinion is not so probable as that of the Peripateticks, who say that the earth is of it self, and naturally cold, because dense and heavy, but hot accidentally onely.

Now the great question will be from whence this heat of the earth doth proceed.

I will first shew from whence it doth not proceed, and thereby confute the opinion of some.

1. It proceeds not from the Sun, as many imagine, supposing that all heat in the world comes from thence, and that the earth being beat upon by the sun-beames, doth thereby re∣ceive into it self a certain heating vertue. But this is very improbable, seeing that they, that digg in the bowells of the earth, observe that the heating power of the Sun, although in most hot seasons doth not penetrate the super∣ficies of the earth above six feet deep: do not we see how a thin wall, or boughs of trees in an arbour keep off the heat of the sun, though

never so great? to say nothing of the earths being colder two feet deep in Summer than in Winter.

2. It proceeds not from an antiperistasis of the cold air in the superficies of the earth, for this hath place no further than the heating power of the rayes came. Besides the naturall cold of the solid, and dense earth must of necessity have greater power to repell up∣wards, than the adventious of the soft, thin, and light air to force downwards the heat of the sun, which, indeed in all reason should, being generated but a little way within the earth of its own accord being very light as∣cend upward through the passage made by the Sun: and this we know that after a long Summers day, it is before the next morning almost vanished though never so great, much less will it be preserved till, and through the Winter. It must then of necessity be another kind of heat, & it is such, that towards the su∣perficies of the earth is colder, as being more remote from its original, or beginning, and is in Summer-time by reason of the Suns ope∣ning the earth, and making vent easily, expired, and is therefore less perceived, but in Win∣ters frost is restrained from exhaling, and is condensed, as may easily be perceived in deep wells

Now to know from what principle this heat hath its original, or rise, we must examine whence proceeds the heat in hot baths, for there the subterraneal heat offers it self more

conspicuous and apparent to our view.

But concerning the original of the heat of subterraneal waters, there is as much doubt, as of the generation of those waters them∣selves. And therefore I shall in the first place endeavour to prove how heat doth not come, thereby confuting the opnion of some, and in the next place to shew which way it may proceed probably.

1. It is not caused by the heat of the Sun, and that partly for the reasons above menti∣oned, as also because then, those waters would be hotter in Summer-time, than in Winter.

2. It is not from the agitation of winds in the channels of the fountains, for if so, then they being vented forth, the heat would pre∣sently be extinguished.

3. It comes not from sulphur, Calx viva, (as is the opinion of many learned, as Seneca. &c.) and that because neither doth sulphur at all heat unless it be actually hot, nor Calx viva, unless whilest it is dissolving in water: to say nothing of that vast quantity, which would in a little time be resolved, and the sudden re∣markable change that would be in hot springs.

4. It proceeds not according to Doctour Jordens opinion, from the fermentation that is in the generation of metals, and minerals caused by the agent spirit acting upon the pa∣tient matter, and so producing an actuall heat (for ex motu fit Calor say all Philoso∣phers)

which serves as an instrument to fur∣ther this work of generation; For if it were so, then the heat in bathes would in time cease, for he himself saith that this ferment∣ing heat continues no longer till the genera∣tion of them be finished, which is done in some determinate time, but we see that the hot baths continue for ever. Neither doth it suffice that he saith that generations of me∣talls are not terminated with one producti∣on, but the mineral seed gathereth strength by enlarging it self, and so it continually proceeds to subdue more matter under its government, so as where once a generation is begun it continues many ages, and seldom gives over, as we see in the Iron mines of Illua, the tin mines in Cornwall, the lead mines at Mendip, and the Peak, which do not onely stretch further in extent of ground, than hath been observed heretofore, but also are re∣newed in the same ground, which hath been formerly wrought, I say his saying thus doth not suffice, for though it be so as I do not deny but it may, yet notwithstanding he doth not say, that generation of metals con∣tinueth in one place, except any ground be digged first; and so space and place left for new mattter to come, as is not in our baths, and so by consequence the flowing of hot water would cease in that place, where the said generation is not continued; and if that generation be extended further yet so also and accordingly is the heat diminished, un∣less

it break forth continually in new places: but we see hot springs continue many years together in one place at a constant heat. Be∣sides if this opinion were true, then where we see metals, and minerals generated, there also must of necessity be hot baths, but we see it is not so. I shall now moreover de∣mand of him, how that crude metalline matter is before any the said fermentation sublimed from the central parts of the earth towards the superficies thereof, if not by a subterraneall fire?

All these being excluded, it remains now that we consider of a subterraneal fire onely, for it seems impossible that so great, and du∣rable a heat should be caused, or preserved by any other power whatsoever, than that of fire, and of this opinion was Empedocles an ancient Greek Philosopher, and also Seneca, but both these differ amongst themselves as to the manner of the heats proceeding from this fire, and indeed from other Authours that seem to be more Anthentick. The one is of opinion that it is sufficient if the fire be under the place, through which the waters run, and so like fire under a still force up the wa∣ter by way of a vapour: the other that the heat proceeds from some occult remote burn∣ing and passed through the veins, and fibres of the earth where it meets with the waters, and distill them up to the heads of the foun∣tains. But Agricola excepts against these two ways as being very impropable; the first, be∣cause

the earth, where the fire is, could not endure the fire so long, being of a calcina∣ble, & cumbustible nature: the second, because by this way such a quantity of water could not be so heated as to be turned into a va∣pour so suddenly, by so small a degree of heat.

There can therefore no other reason be gi∣ven for these hot springs, than the fire which burns in the very cavities, and caverns of them, the cavities themselves consisting of a Bituminous matter. For Bitumen, and these things which are made of it being kindled burn in water, by which also the said fire is cherished: This you may see in Naphtha, which is a kind of Bitumen, for if you put but a drop thereof into water, and put fire to it you will see it burn, and continue burn∣ing so long, that you would wonder at it, which could not be unless it were fed by the moisture of the water, which it did at∣tract, and transmutes into its own nature; The like you may see in Champhir, and other kind of Bitumen. Pliny also affirms that these are some certain burnings in the earth, which sometimes cast out Bitumen, and are increased by raine. And Fallopius saith that in the terri∣tories of Mutina is a short plat of ground, out of which comes fire and smoke, and the ground is all like dust, which if you kindle, you cannot quench again with water: so that these kind of fires are perpetual, and ve∣ry long lasting in waters. And hath it not been observed that a fiery Bituminous matter

doth sometimes flow out of hot Springs? Pliny makes mention that in the City Somo∣sata of Comaganes a certain lake sent forth burning mud: and Plato makes mention of the like concerning a Spring in Sicilia: And Agricola reports another upon his credit. Fallopius also saith that in many places where the earth is digged deep, there are ashes, and calcined stones, which are the effects of fire, and that in the territories of Modena, Bolonia, Florence, and other places, as in Italy &c, there are found Springs and several pla∣ces casting out fire. But as to Springs, this happens onely where the bituminous▪ matter is very near the Spring head, and as high, and where the veins are more open.

Now then the manner of Springs being caused by this Bituminous fire is this, viz: Seeing art doth for the most part imitate na∣ture, the thing is even the same in a hot Spring, as in a distilling vessell, or a seething pot covered with a lid; onely there is this difference, that to the bottom of these the fire is put on the out side, but here the fire is within the cavern it self through which the water passeth, and that either lying in the bottom, or sticking to the sides thereof. As therefore in these artificial vessels the water being by the heat of fire resolved in∣to a vapour is forced upwards to the covers or heads thereof, where by reason of some less degree of heat it is condensed into drops, and returns to its self, and into its own na∣ture

again: So even after the same manner water in the caverns of the earth being heat∣ed by the Bituminous fire, with which it is mixed, is by the heat thereof forced into a great quantity of vapours, which ascending through the cranines, veins, and fibres of the earth being there for the greatest part turn∣ed into water, doth with the rest of the va∣pour yet very hot break forth in fountains viz: very hot, and very full of spirit, so that it seems to boyle, if the fountains be near to the caverns, or onely warm, if more remote. And as these Springs differ in their heat ac∣cording to their nearness, or remoteness to their fire, so also in their Bituminous odour? and tast. For as in distilled waters their Em∣pyreuma vanisheth in length of time, so in these in length of course: So that these foun∣tains, which are very remote from this Bi∣tuminous fire, are neither, hot, nor have any Bituminous odour. And as by this natural distillation water is the best way procolated from its Sea saltness; so also doth it become thereby less obnoxious to putrefaction: For we know that distilled waters last longest.

Ob. It may be objected, that if the matter preserving this fire were Bitumen, then it would follow, that almost the whole world should be Bitumen, because ever since, and before the memory of man these hot baths were, and are like to continue for ever, and therefore there must be that element for ever which must preserve that fire.

Sol. It doth not follow that there must at present be so much Bitumen as will maintain the fire so long, for it is perpetually genera∣ted, and as long as there shall be sic city, and humidity in the earth, there will be Bitu∣men generated: And do not we see that me∣tals are generated a new in the same places, out of which they have formerly been digg∣ed? Witness the profit which Fallopius saith the Duke of Florence hath by it; and the testimony of learned Sendivogius, who saith that there have been metals found in moun∣tains where formerly there have been none. If so, then much more may sulphur and Bi∣tumen be generated a new.

Ob. If it should be granted that Bitumen is generated a new, yet, if that were the ali∣ment of the fire, the fire would change its places, because the Bitumen is consumed one part after another, and so by consequence the baths would not be so equally hot as be∣fore, the fire being by this means more re∣mote from the fountains

Sol. The flame is fed two ways, either when the flame follows the matter, as when the fire burns wood, or when the matter fol∣lows the flame, as in a lamp, in which the oyle follows the flame, not the flame the oyle; and so it is in the earth, and therefore the fire is always in one place. Neither doth that withstand it, which we see by experience in sulphur which is burnt part after part, the fire following of it: for you must know that

in the earth where there is a great heat, the Bitumen and Sulphur are melted, and by this means follow the flame, as I said before of Oil.

Ob. If Bitumen feed the fire of these baths, then the waters thereof would have the odour, tast, and colour of Bitumen; but it appears that they have not.

Sol. Though all baths are heated by Bitu∣men, yet some immediatly, as those which do pass through the place where it burns, & these onely have the tast, and odour of the same: and some mediately, as those that pass through places, as rocks, &c. heated by Bitumen, burning under them, as was the opinion of Empedocles and Vitruvius. Neither do I by this distinction contradict what I said before, concerning the waters being distilled up by that fire onely which burned in the caverns, and veins of the earth, through which they pass: for in this place I speak onely of the waters being heated, this mediate heat not being sufficient to distill them to any consi∣derable height.

Ob. It is very improbable that any subter∣raneal fire can burn within the bowels of the earth by reason of the want of air, as we see in cupping glasses, where as soon as they are applyed, the fire goeth out; besides the fuligi∣nous vapours would recoil and choak the fire, for there are few, or no vents and exha∣lation seen.

Sol. There is not any such great want of

air in the earth, nay there is such a plenty of it there, that many learned Philosophers were, nay, Aristotle himself of opinion, that all Springs were generated of subterraneal air.

2. Air is not the aliment of fire, for saith the Lord Bacon in his Treatise De vita & mor∣te. Flamma non est aer accensus, flame is not kindled air; nay, but unctuous vapours, which arise from the matter that is burnt, so that whereas without air fire goeth out, and is extinguished, the reason is, because the fu∣liginous vapours wanting evaporation, do recoil upon the fire, and choak it. Now this Bituminous fire is not, being of a sulphureous nature, very fuliginous, and besides what smoak or sumes or vapours there come from it are subtile, and penetrating, and either e∣vaporate through the superficies of the earth insensibly, or incorporate themselves with some sutable subject that is in the earth, or els are of themselves condensed into some unctuous matter adhearing to the sides of the caverns into which they are elevated. So that according to the fuliginousness of va∣pours more or less recoiling, the fire is more or less choaked. Nay if we will believe Histo∣rians, there have been burning Lamps closely shut up in glasses for fiftheen hundred years together in old sepulchres; Now they burnt without air, & were not extinguished by reason the aliment of it was a Naphtha, or Bitumi∣nous matter, which was so pure that it bred no fuliginous vapours to choake the fire thereof.

3. Where this fire is very great, there is a great vent, and exhalation, but where but little, little is the vent, and insensible. And in most places the fire is not great extensive∣ly, but intensively, because it is kept within a narrow compass, as in small caverns and veins of the earth.

Q. How comes this Bitumen to be kind∣led in the earth?

Sol. It is agreed by all that are of the opi∣nion that Bitumen is the matter of the sub∣terraneal fire, that hot and dry exhalations in the bowels of the earth being shut up, and not finding any place to break forth, are a∣gitated, attenuated, rarified, and so inflamed, and being inflamed kindle the Bitumen.

Now lastly let no man wonder that there should be so great a force of fire conteined in the earth as to be sufficient for the gene∣ration of so many Springs that flow from thence daylie, seeing Pliny and many other Philosophers wonder so much on the other side, when they considered of the subterra∣neal fire, and brake forth into an exclama∣tion, saying, it is the greatest of all miracles that all things are not every day burnt up. And cannot the burnings of the Aetnean, Visuvian, Nymphean mountains convince us a little of this? But for the further confirma∣tion of this opinion, let us a little consider whence the winds proceed, and what they are. And are they not a hot and dry exhala∣tion? Now that this proceeds from, and out

of the earth, most agree: and that it entered not first into the earth is very probable: For how can a hot, dry, light exhalation, whose nature, and property is to ascend, descend in∣to the earth in such a quantity, as to cause such great and lasting winds, as many times happen? It must therefore be in the earth o∣riginally, and be stirred up by some great heat in the same. And what shall we think of the dry exhalation or spirit which is shut up in the caverns of the earth in great quan∣tities, and endeavouring to break forth through obstructed passages causeth great earth-quakes whereby Cities, Towns, and Countries have been overthrown, to say no∣thing of those dreadfull noyses sometimes in the bowels of the earth? Whence I say these great exhalations (I say great, because I con∣fess that some little quantity of them may be caused by certain fermentations in the earth) should be raised, if not from some great heat of fire within the earth, never any one yet could rationally determine.

And Caesius affirms that at a cerain village called Tripergulus about an hundred and twenty years since after fiftteen dayes earth∣quake the earth opened, and winds, smoak, and very great fires brake forth out of the same, also pumice-stones, and abundance of ashes, in so much as they made a moun∣tain, and about that place were many hot Springs. Also in Apulia is a hot bath called Tribulus, where there is abundance of ashes

and calcined stones; and about the lake Lu∣crinus and Avernus are the same.

But if any should yet doubt that winds proceed from the earth or from the occult fires of the earth, I shall make it yet further to appear by propounding to their conside∣ration some observations concerning the Sea. For it is observed that wind doth pro∣ceed from the Sea, after a more apparent, and violent manner, than from the land, and that more certain signes of an ensueing wind are taken from the Sea, than from the land. For when a calme Sea makes a murmuring noyse within it self, it signifies that then the exhalations, which is the matter of the wind are rising out of the earth, and bottom of the Sea; and this the fishes perceiving, and being affraid of it, especially Dolphins, play above the water, and the Sea-urchins fasten them∣selves to rocks: the Sea a little swelling shew∣eth that the exhalation is endeavouring a vent; then boyling sheweth that it hath pe∣netrated to the superficies, but as yet in a lit∣tle quantity: but then the eruptious of the exhalations following upon the waters mounted up aloft, make wind, and a tem∣pest; such as Marriners have often experience of, when as they perceive that the wind blows from no other place, but ariseth at themselves. Now why waves or billows should preceed wind, let any man if he can give any other reason.

Also I have been informed by some Mar∣riners

that a little before a great tempest there is seen a great quantity of an unctuous shine∣ing matter floating on the top of the Sea, and that this is an infallible signe of an en∣suing storme. The reason of this is because wind breaking forth out of the earth, forceth up with it self that Bituminous matter from the place where it self was generated.

But now why winds should arise from the Sea more apparently than from the land, is because there is more plenty of fire in the gulfes of the Sea, for there it hath more ali∣ment or fewel, viz. Water, which as I said before, is the aliment of that Bituminous fire. And whence are those great mountains of stones and minerals, and those Islands, which do sometimes arise up anew from the Sea, but from a subterraneal fire, which forceth them up from thence (according to the judgement of learned Sendivogius, and ex∣perienced Erker) and those chasmes, and gapings of the Sea?

Much more might be alleadged for the confirmation of this opinion, as the manner of the generation of minerals, and metals and many such like subterraneal operations, which can not rationally be ascribed to any other cause, than fire within the earth; but all the premises being seriously weighed, & impartial∣ly considered, I suppose there are but few but will conclude, that as all Springs proceed from the Sea through subterraneal channels and caverns, so also are distilled up to the

heads of Fountains by a subterraneal bitumi∣nous fire. And as for those that are not yet satisfied let them consult with the treatise of our late, and learned Countryman Mr. Tho∣mas Lydyat, entituled Disquisitio physiologica de origine fontium, and there they shall find this opinion rationally discussed, and solidly confirmed: but if yet they shall be left vnsatis∣fied, let them produce a more rational ac∣count of any other opinion, that will hold water in all respects better than this of mine doth, and I shall thanke him and embrace it.

And thus much for the original of Foun∣taines in general, I shall now proceed to treat of the nature of Springs in particular.