The natural history of Stafford-shire by Robert Plot ...

CHAP. II. Of the Waters.

1. THe learned, and therefore truly Noble Philosopher, my Lord Viscount St. Albans, in his History of Life and Death, or prolongation of Life; as well considering the consumption of the body of Man, as reparation of it; the one being as much to be prevented, as the other promoted; in the for∣mer of these makes the ambient Air of eminent concern; some sorts of it being as predatory and wastful of the body, as others again are comfortable and refreshing: Whence it is that Persons of plentiful Estates, that have (as we say) the world at will, and are not tyed to a single Seat; either build or make choise of one for their most common residence, that is situat in a good and whol∣some Air: where by Air they intend not the simple Element of the Ancients, for in this sense all Air (if there be any such thing) is equally pure; but that somwhat grosser substance that immediat∣ly incompasses the terraqueous Globe, wherein we daily breath, live, and have our being; which is commonly fill'd with all sorts of Exhalations, and is comparatively good or bad, healthy or other∣wise; as it partakes more or less, of wholsome or noxious, vapors or fumes; exhaled either from quick liveing streams, or stagnant pooles and uliginous boggs; from dry wholsome Soils, or mineral Earths. Which seeming indeed the more immediat causes of sickness or health than the pure Air, that being only the vehicle of diseases, and not fundamentally good or bad, but by partici∣pation, as was hinted in Oxfordshirea 1.1; 'tis plain that the consi∣deration of the health of this County, rather belongs to this place, and the following Chapter, than to the former of Air.

2. But that the Reader may not only be amused with generalls, let us treat of this matter more distinctly than usual, and strictly examin whether this Air we breath in, do indeed so much affect the body of Man as is commonly pretended; and if so, which it is that comforteth and conserveth it most, and which most preyeth upon it, so as to hasten its consumption; that certainly being to be esteemed the most healthy, that prolongeth; and that the most unhealthy, that abridgeth its duration: Wherein I shall not need to trouble the Reader with any of the nice Experiments of the Air-Pump, whereof some not unfitly might have been reduced to this

subject; nor with a profound explication of the flammula Cordis, or what ever else it is that continually gives accension to our blood, and is cherish't by the gentle refocillations of the Air: It being suf∣ficient for my purpose, and evident even to rural Observators; first that the Air, impregnated with vapors and fumes (such as is the Atmosphere wherein we breath) doth sensibly affect the body of Man; witness the common fumigations made in hysterical diseases to recall the Spirits, and the too too common Experiment of Drun∣kenness; with which no question its more inartificial operations bear some proportion, though they are not so sensible.

3. It being plain then that the Air as it may be variously quali∣fyed does affect the Spirits and humors, and consequently the whole Crasis of the body: it remains secondly that we shew which Airs they be, that most refresh and preserve it; and on the contrary which prey upon it, so as either to consume it gradually, or destroy it on a sudden: for the clearer disquisition of which matter I must premise some postulata, which I need not to doubt (I think) but will be easily granted, since they are such only as are universally agreed on: As first that the blood principally, and o∣ther humors; are the subjectum in quo, or vehicle of the spirits by which the Animal operations of the body are performed; and 2. that the more the spirits, flammula, or heat do prey upon the hu∣mors, or the humors oppress the spirits, so much the shorter is the continuance of that body; and that therefore 3. in order to a last∣ing duration, the spirits ought to be kept in such a moderate tem∣per, that (as the Lord Bacon well observesb 1.2) they should be in their substance; dense, not rare: in Quantity; sufficient for the offices of life, not redundant or turgid: in heat; strong, not ea∣ger: in motion; sedate, not fluttering and unequal: And 4. that the humors should also be moderatly dense; not thick, or too flu∣id: sufficient; and not multiplyed to excess, so as either to clog or extinguish the spirits: all which being granted (and I think no body will deny them) it will naturally follow

4. That Air too much heated either by the reflex beams of the Sun, or by Mineral fumes (above the heat of the ambient Air of the Clime) must be none of the healthiest: for (to omit the in∣flamed scorching Air on the banks of Euphrates that sometimes suddenly stifles passengers, and the burning-winds of Arabia and Persia, in their Annals there call'd Bad Semumc 1.3) this even in Eu∣rope frequently exalts the spirits to such a redundancy, that they become eager and violent in their motion, so as to occasion Feavors, Frensies, Calentures; which do not sip, but rather carouse upon

the juices, till at length they are all exhausted, and the body brought to a final Arefaction: Or at least so opens the pores, and rarefies the spirits that some of them fly away, which thickens the blood and humors by a sort of Evaporation, and so gradually desic∣cates them, and at length brings the body to an early old Age, as it happens in Africa amongst the Negroes, whose lives, says Leo, are are very shortd 1.4, their bodies undergoing through the heat of their Clime so quick an arefaction, that as Crescentiensis reports, they are old at thirtye 1.5 To prevent these depredations of over heated Air, even in this temperat Zone, the Ancients were so careful, that they declined not either the trouble or charge, of anointing their bo∣dies all over with Oile, thereby filling up the pores, and prevent∣ing both the flight of the spirits, and all manner of other injuries from the external Air.

5. Thus Pollio Romulus (and Johannes de temporibus, as my Lord Verulam also acquaints usf 1.6,) who was above a hundred years old, preserved it seems his body to that extream old Age; for be∣ing ask't by Augustus (who then lodg'd at his house) what means he had used to maintain that vigor of body and mind, he saw, he enjoy'd; answer'd intus mulso, foris oleog 1.7; i. e. that he used Metheglin within, and Oile without: which, says Roger Bacon upon the place, in the MS. Preface before his book de Retardatio∣ne Senectutis (which was never printed with the book it selfe) was an Oile mentioned in the Chapter de his quae naturalem virtu∣tem excitant, whither I refer the Reader for satisfaction about ith 1.8. The same Roger Bacon also further acquaints us that a certain Bri∣tish Lady whom he calls Dominam de Tormerii 1.9 found an oyntment wherewith her Woodward having anointed himself all but the soles of his feet, lived three hundred years without any pain but in his feetk 1.10. The ancient Britans painted their bodies with woad and were exceeding long lived; and some have thought the Picts had their name from hence; 'tis certain the Brasilians paint them∣selves at this day, and are very long liv'd; as if painting did pre∣serve the living body, as oile colours and varnish do dead wood and Iron.

6. Yet much worse is this Air if both heated by the Sun, and fill'd with noisom stinking vapors, exhaled from stagnant waters, Moores or Boggs, nothing more quickly or certainly induceing pu∣trefaction than the concurrent operations of excessive heat and moisture; the former procuring a more easy access for the vapors

judicial than the primary ones could have possibly been without them; such Foggs and Steams stagnating in the valleys and amongst trees, and heating much more there than in any plain, the rays of the Sun being contracted and strengthened in these hollowes, much after the manner we see they are by a Concave glass; whereas if either happen in an open Country, or upon riseing ground, without woods or groves within a competent distance, there is seldom such a calme, but that the Wind at least will ventilate, if not strongly dis∣perse them, so that they can be little prejudicial to the adjacent Inhabitants: And therefore says Petrus Crescentiensis, qui loca ele∣git habitabilia, cognoscere debet quommodo ejus exislit dispositio secun∣dum altitudinem & profunditatem, discooperturam & coopertu∣ram — & si sit ventis exposita, aut in terra profundap 1.11 i. e. That whoever makes choise of a seat, must be satisfyed how 'tis situat, whether on a Hill or in a Vale; open, or close covered; whether exposed to the winds, or in a deep hollow Country: whereof which is the better, is determined both by Varroq 1.12 and Baptista Portar 1.13, potius in sublimi loco aedificet, qui quod perflatur, &c. rather let him build, say they, in a high place that is continually ventilated, where if any thing incommode him it will easily be disperst by the brisk piercing gales. Which naturally brings me next

9. To the consideration of that acute purifying air, which be∣ing neither heated above the usual constitution of the Clime, nor fill'd with moist thick slimy vapors, but rarify'd by the Sun to a useful serenity, and sharpened by an agreeable portion of Niter, so cooles and cherishes both the spirits and humors by a gentle ventila∣tion (carrying off the fuligines arising from the accension of the blood whether in the Lungs or Heart) that both are kept in due temper; neither prevailing, but both mutually preserving each other to a most lasting duration: And this it is we may justly call healthy Air, that ha's heat enough to cherish that Platonic flames 1.14 in the blood, so as to make it shine, but not burne; and moisture enough to help to conserve that gentle fire, but not drown or extinguish it; all which seems most evidently made out to be thus indeed by the Aerial Noctiluca of the Honourable Mr. Boyle, and by the solid Phosphorus of my ingenious Friend Frederick Slare M. D. made for the most part out of Ʋrine, and might as well (He thinks) have been out of blood, could it have been procured in as great quantities, since Ʋrine is its Recrement separated by the Kidneys; which whenever exposed to the air in its ordinary tem∣per (as I saw it in Nov. 1681.) only shines illustriously, but if

held to the fire, breaks out into a violent flame, and if immerged into water, is presently restinguisht.

10. And this, I say this, is that subtile refined air, that refrigerates the spirits, that cherishes the humors, and gives them both their due condensation; neither exalting the one or the other so far, as that the spirits either fly away or prey upon the hu∣mors; or the humors overwhelm or drown the spirits; that ren∣ders a Man long-liv'd, most healthful and free from all manner of infirmities both of body and mind; that keep him sound, lusty, ve∣gete and nimble; and makes him cheerful, quick, witty, subtile, and what not? Which whoever would enjoy in the highest perfe∣ction, must ascend the dry gravelly barren hills, and place his seat there, as the Emperor Constantine advises, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉t 1.15. We ought to build, says he, in high places where there is a delicate pro∣spect, where one may see all over the Country; where the reflected beams of the Sun are but of small force, at least not strong enough to make the air any thing predatory by reason of heat; or of moisture, upon account of the drought or barrenness. I know

11. Cato and Columella commend a rich fruitful Soile whereon to place their Villau 1.16; but they describe the Farme, where indeed the commodity is commonly more regarded, than health; and not the Hall or Manor (as the Gentlemans seat is usually call'd in this County) which ought to be situat, not upon or near the best Soile which commonly yields the worst air, but on a dry riseing ground at least, if not on a Hill, where there are no standing Waters or Mines in the valleys below, to occasion vapors or fumes, nor thick woods or groves to hinder the dispersing them, whenever they do (if at any time) happen, or preclude the pleasure of a far and wide prospect. Where by the way, let the Reader take notice, that I only exclude stagnant Waters, Mines in low and close valleys and thick woods; and not so far mistake me, as if I thought plenty of waters and mines, or large woods and groves a dishonour to a County; for in these consist both the pleasures and riches of it; where the waters flow from quick and living springs, the Mines are work't on high or open Countrys, and the woods lye disperst at due distance, and if any thing large, have lawnes or vista's cut through them; as they are usually found all over this County, as shall be shewn of each in their respective places.

12. Though it be true indeed that those places that are situate highest, and enjoy the fewest waters, mines and woods, must un∣doubtedly be the healthiest, in proportion as they are free from

one, more, or all of them; Upon which account I take Swynerton, the Village of Beech and all the Hill Country betwixt that and Tren∣tham (being void of most, if not all of these) to be the healthiest spot of Ground in all the County, which seems amply to be made out by an observation they have there, viz. that they have three Christenings for one Buryal: Nor comes the Town of Wolverhamp∣ton far behind it, being situat high and where they have but four weak Springs to supply that large Town, which too rise all toge∣ther behind the Cock-Inn (so that they may be esteemed but as one) having different names appropriated to their respective uses, as the Pudding-well, the Horse-well, the Washing-well, and the Meat-well, from which last they fetch all the water they use for Meat or Drink all over the Town in great leather Budgets or Boraccia's laid cross a horse with a tunnel at the top whereby to fill them, such as they use much in Spain, and some other Towns in England as York, Worcester, &c. bringing to the other three, their Tripes, Horses and Linnen. From which scarcity of waters and high situation it is, that notwithstanding the adjacent Cole-mines they enjoy a more setled health than most of their Neighbors, as breathing a more sub∣tile and refined Air, and that too so lyable to ventilation that if at any time fumes do arise from the Mines, they are quickly disperst: Whence perhaps it comes to pass, that the Plague ha's scarce ever been known in this place, but the small Pox frequently, both signes of salubrity as ha's been shewn in Oxford-shirew 1.17.

13. To which may be added the Parish of Cannock (vulgarly Cank) and all the dry hills and gravelly plains of Cank-wood, as Tropically so call'd as Lucus à non lucendo, now the woods are most destroyed, and the Wind and Sun admitted in so plentiful a manner between the Coppices, which at due distance now only crown the summits of some few hills, such as Gentle-Shaw, Stile-Cop, &c. and afford a most pleasant prospect to Passengers: the Plains or Hays below in great part being covered only with the purple odoriferous Ling, as that excellent Poet, Mr. Masters of New College in his Iter Boreale is pleased to call it, who (having past by Cank town) thus most exquisitly describes itx 1.18.

Hinc mihi mox ingens Ericetum complet ocellos, Sylva olim, passim Nymphis habitat a ferisque: (Condensae quercus, domibus res nata struendis, Ornandoque foco, & validae spes unica classis) Nunc umbris immissa dies; Namque aequore vasto Ante, retro, dextra, laeva, quo lumina cunque Verteris, una humili consurgit vertice planta,

Purpureoque Erice tellurem vestit amictu, Dum floret, suaves & naribus adflat odores: Haec ferimus saltem amissae solatia sylvae.

The Parish of Aldridge in the confines of Cank seems also to partake of the like dry gravelly constitution, lying high, and solo sicco as Hippocrates would have ity 1.19; and Mr. Burton seems to commend the Parish of Hanbury in the Margin of Needwood for such a lofty situationz 1.20;

14. Both which no doubt enjoy a fresh, pleasant air, though I must confess I should have liked them considerably better, had they been thinner beset with trees and inclosures; unless the buildings had surmounted the tops of them all, so as to have been more exposed to the ventilations of the Air, as at Dudley Castle whose magnificent ruins as well as habitable part (built on a lofty rock) notwithstanding the shrubbs and trees all about it, are mounted so high above them all, as not only to afford a most whol∣som air, but a delicat prospect over the County below it, as the Rea∣der cannot but be satisfyed it must needs do from the Sculpture of it Tab. 3. which notwithstanding its ruins (the marks of its Loy∣alty in the late Civil war) yet remains the Seat of the right Ho∣norable Edward Lord Ward Baron of Birmingham, a person of most exemplary fidelity to his Prince, and a most noble encourager of this Work, and is therefore here represented wrought off a Copper plate, that I might gratefully render his Lordships munificence as immortal as the brass. Had, I say, Aldridg or Hanbury thus lifted themselves up above the trees and inclosures, their Situations had certainly been much better; and therefore I much wonder that the observ∣ing Mr. Burton should omit the Situation of Tutbury Castle, being so near a neighbor, mounted on a hill toping all the trees and build∣ings near it, and overlooking Darbyshire and all the Country round to the East, West and North, like Acrocorinthus the old Castle of Co∣rinth, whence Greece, Peloponnesus, the Ionian and Aegean Seas were semel and simul at one view to be seen. Abbots, alias Ap∣wood Castle in the Confines of Shropshire has much such another situation, overlooking that County to the South and West to a vast distance: But that which excells them all for a prospect is the old Castle hill above Beaudesart, which is elevated so high above all the Country near, that it commands the Horizon almost all round, whence 'tis said may be seen the nine several Counties of Stafford, Darby, Leicester, Warwick, Worcester, Salop, Chester, Montgomery and Flint.

15. And indeed this County is full of such high situations that must needs be happy in a cool, serene air, as Bentley, Bradwal, Aul∣ton and Stone Lodges, and many others; but such as these most commonly having too little water, and somtimes (in winter) too much Wind, for the coldness of our Clime: Others have thought more expedient to build their Seats somwhat lower, still provid∣ed on a dry and gravelly Soil, as Gerards Bromley, Trentham, Dray∣ton Manor, &c. of which more in due place: or else at most but on the sides of hills, for the more conveniency of water and shelter from the wind when in some points of the Compass, as Beaudesart and Ingestre-Hall; which is also agreeable to the Emperor Con∣stantines directions, for says he 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉a 1.21. The most healthy places are both on the tops and descents of hills faceing the North, the winds from thence blowing cool and dry, whereas those from the South are hot and moist, and therefore unwholsome: Yet Baptista Porta on the contrary will by all means have the front of a house to stand to the Southb 1.22, to whom agrees Stephanus a Frenchman, approving especially the descent of a hill to the South ot Southeast, with trees to the Northc 1.23; which indeed may both be true or false, according to the different Clime for which each opinion was calculated, the Emperors being most agreeable to the Southern, and the other to the more frigid Northern regions, especially where the East and South wind which in other places usually brew rains, bring fair weather; as Mr. Camden observes they do in this County, unless (as was observed chap. 1. §. 50.) when the wind turns from West to South.

16. For the South, says Porta, is not every where unhealthyd 1.24, but as Palladius also accounts it, most comfortable in the Winter and cool in the Summer, and therefore advises, Totius fabricae tractus unius lateris longitudine in quo frons erit meridianam partem respici∣at, in primo angulo excipiens or tum solis hyberni, & paululum ab oc∣cidente avertatur hyemali; ita proveniet ut per hyemem sole illustre∣tur, & calores ejus aestate non sentiate 1.25, i. e. that the tract of the whole building all the length of that side in which the front is de∣signed, be placed to the South, so as at the first corner or end to re∣ceive the rays of the riseing Sun in winter, and that it be turned a little away from the winter West; whence it will come to pass that it shall enjoy the Sun all winter, and the shade all Summer. To which last prescriptions there are two Seats in this County viz. Inge∣stre and Enfield Halls, so exactly conformable, that neither Stepha∣nus

or Palladius themselves, had they had the building them, could have possibly contrived them more to their own minds; both being situat upon declivities, fronting the South and open to the East, and fenced to the West (as all agree buildings ought to be, the western winds being the most pernicious of any) with trees that are also fit for shade in the Summer, and both well water'd; which perhaps may be two as agreeable patterns for an English situation, as can any where be met with.

17. For whatever the ancients have written in commendation of the lofty, dry, and open situations (which perhaps may be best in hotter Climes) ours in England ought neither to be without trees for shade, which may be Oak, Ash or Elm planted pretty thick and close to the building to the West and North, that they may serve too for shelter against the injuries of those Quarters; and if it shall seem good to have any for walks or other ornaments to the East or South they ought to be set further off, and had best either be trimm'd Cypress or Yew, or best of all Firrs, these being most pervious to the wind, as at Ingestre Hall: Nor ought the English situation to be altogether dry, but water'd if possible with a quick and clear stream as at Enfield Hall; wherein these two delicat seats mutually excell one another: there being little danger of foggs riseing at all, much less of their continuance, where the trees are planted sparsim and always capable of ventilations, and the Currents be swift as they are generally in this County. which brings me next to

18. A more close consideration of waters, wherein perhaps it may be expected that I should determin also their goodness and badness, as before of Air; but the healthyness and unhealthyness of the Air depending so much upon the goodness and badness of the waters as has been shewn above, it seems so far to have been per∣formed already, that it may well suffice here to add in general (which perhaps may pass for an Aphorisme) that as that air is counted best that comes nearest the pure Aether, and that the worst which is fill'd most with Exhalations and comes nearest wa∣ter; so that is to be esteemed the best water which comes nearest air, and that the worst which is stagnant, muddy, and fill'd with terrestrieties, and comes nearest Earth: In a word, wouldest thou have a wholsom water indeed for thy common use? choose that which has neither colour, tast, or smell, from Salts or Sulphurs, or as little of them as may be; for these will some way or other affect thy meats or drinks, or whatever else thou employest them about, otherwise than thou did'st intend they should. that is to say choose those that will receive heat, and coole sooner than others; into which a glass Hydrometer or water-Gage, or any other natant weighty body will sink deepest; or which will cause least refra∣ction; all which argue a freedom from Salts and Sulphure, where∣with

waters are somtimes so highly sated, that an ordinary fire will scarce stir them; that they will bear an Egg, and much mag∣nify and refract an object seen through them:

19. Whereas the waters that are thin, clear, and void of these, and come any thing near the nature of air, quickly boile; are less buoyant; and scarce will shew any sensible refraction; whereof Vi∣tello gives us an eminent example of one that he saw in the subter∣ranean cavity of a Mountain at a place called Cubalus between Pa∣dua and Vincentia that was so very thin and clear, that what ever was put in it, would appear of the same figure and magnitude to sense, as if only air interposedf 1.26: And we are told that the water of the River Silos in India, is so rare and tenuious that it will not support the weight of Shipsg 1.27. Both which no question, and all o∣thers that come near them, must needs be excellent for all common uses, being so indifferent to all; having few or no Salts or Sulphurs whereby to introduce any extraneous unagreeable tasts or odors: I say for all common uses relating to meats or drinks, or other hous∣hold affairs; all the Saline and Sulphurious waters having also their uses, variety of mixture commending the Medicinal, as much as purity does the ordinary springs: of both which in their order.

20. And first of those of more common use; whereof though there be none indeed that come very near, much less equal those of Cubalus and Silas; yet I am confident there are as many, perhaps more clear limpid Springs, as free from forraigne qualities, that rise in this County, as in any part of England, of the like quantity of ground: For besides that the great and profluent river of Trent (which says Camden is justly reputed the third River of Englandh 1.28) riseth in this County, out of New-poole (belonging to the right worshipful and ingenious Gent. Sr. John Bowyer Baronet one of the noblest Promoters of this designe) and two other Springs near Mole Cop, and Horton Hay; its subservient branches of Sow, Penk, Tame, Dove, Churnet, Blithe, Tene, Manyfold, Hans or Hamps, Rewle, Black-brook, Lyme, Swarbourn, Dunsmoore, Endon, and in∣numerable other Rindles that fall into them, also rise within the County, and most of them within less than thirty miles of the We∣stern Sea; yet all make Eastward, and discharge themselves with Trent into Humber, and so at length into the German Ocean, near an hundred miles from their first rise. Whence the learned and ingenious Sr. Simon Degg Knight (whose assistances I must always gratefully acknowledge) has some thoughts that the Eastern, may be much lower than the Western Sea; the descent of Trent through Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire seeming much greater, than the Dane, and some other branches of the Ri∣ver

Wever, that rise about Biddulph, Talk on the hill, Audley, Betley, and Madeley, can possibly have through the level County of Chester into the Irish Sea. Of which perhaps more hereafter in due time and place* 1.29.

21. Nor has Trent only and Wever these great supplies of wa∣ter from the fountains of this County, but many branches of the Severn (the second River of England) have their rise here also, as the Terne, Smestal, Flashbrook, and the others that come forth Aqua∣lat and Snowdon poole: To which add that the Meese, Stour, and Severn it self (the only navigable River in it) also pass through this County: All which summ'd up together, we find at the foot of the account, that it is water'd with no less than 24. Rivers of name, though a Mediterranean County; besides the endless number of anonymous Rindles and small brooks that must needs attend them; a number perhaps that very few Countries of the like extent can be found to surpass, if any that equals, it. And some of these too of so rank precipitant streams especially the Dove and Dane (there being here and there in them, near the fountain heads some small Cascades) that in time of floods they break down Bridges, and re∣move stones of immense magnitude, and the Dove sometimes will change its channel; which I suppose ha's been the cause that a part of Staffordshire in the parish of Mathfield lyes on Derbyshire side the River, and a little below (near the bridge you pass over to Snelston) a part of Derbyshire on the Staffordshire side: Nay so very sharp too are some of the lesser brooks upon sudden rains; that, as I was seriously told by that ingenious Gent. Mr. Philip Hollins of Moseleie, the little Rivulet called Cowms brook that runs betwixt his house and Basford, into Churnet; once removed a stone of three or four Tun, at least a bows shoot.

22. The Currents also of most of the other Rivers are rapid enough, but some of them indeed muth quicker then others, as the Trent than Sow, and Sow than Penk; yet all of them so swift, as to prevent any vapid noisom vapors from ascending thence to infect the Air, though it must needs indeed be rateably better or worse, according as their streames be swifter or flower. Beside the Rivers, the Meers and Pools of this County are many and large, whereof that at Aqualat is 1848 yards long, and 672 yards broad, which it holds within a trifle more or lesse, almost from one end to the other; and Ladford poole is said to contain about threescore Acres; to which add Cockmeer, Eccleshall Castle pooles, New-poole, the poole at Mare, with divers others: All which either having Rivulets that continually pass through them, or being fed with liveing Springs, and plentifully stock't with Fish which perpe∣tually

move the Waters, they are always kept so clear and free from stagnation, that in a manner they send up as few noxious exhala∣tions as the Rivers themselves.

23 Amongst which we must not forget the Poole or Lake menti∣oned by Mr Camden out of Gervase of Tilbury, who in his Otia Imperialia to Otho the fourth, says that in the Bishoprick of Coventry and County of Stafford, at the foot of a Hill, which the inborn people of the Country have named Mahull, there is a water spread abroad in manner of a Meere, in the territory of a Village which they terme Magdalea; in which Meer, or Marsh there is a most clear wa∣ter, which hath such an effectuall virtue in refreshing of bodies, that so often as Hunters have chased staggs, and other Deere untill their Horses be tired, if in the greatest heat of the scorching Sun they tast of this water, and offer it unto their horses for to drink, they re∣cover their strength of running again which they had lost, and become so fresh as one would think they had not run at all.i 1.30. But where about this should be, says Mr Camden, I cannot yet learn, nor indeed could I hear of any such Hill, though that at Heyley Castle having a great poole at the foot, seems agreeable enough to it, being near also to the village of Madeley, perhaps anciently called Magdalea; which I so little doubt will refresh a Horse if he drink thereof after he is tired with running, that I firmly beleive all the pooles in the County, will doe the very same, being generally clear & brisk; and but few flat or vapid.

24 Tis true indeed in the Moorelands where they burn much Peat, their pits are usually fill'd by the frequent rains brought by the Tropaean winds from the Irish Seas in which the water being sated with a crude Sulphur, and stagnating besides, must needs emitt contagious vapors; yet are not these neither so bad as some have fancyed the water is of the black-Meer of Morridge, which I take to be nothing more than such as those in the peat-pits; though it be confidently reported that no Cattle will drink of it, no bird light on it, or fly over it; all which are as false as that it is bottomlesse; it being found upon measure scarce four yards in the deepest place, my Horse also drinking when I was there as freely of it as I ever saw Him at any other place, and the fowle so far from declining to fly over it, that I spake with several that had seen Geese upon it; so that I take this to be as good as the rest, not∣withstanding the vulgar disrepute it lyes under.

25. Though indeed they are all unwholsome enough in them∣selves, and would be so to the Inhabitants, but that the Moorelands is an open Country lying high, and the Hills cloathed neither with woods or groves, so that being lyable to the smallest brises of wind,

the noxious exhalations whenever they arise (except in deep Calmes which are every where unwhosom) are always dispers∣ed; which is so soveraign a remedy, that the Mooreland Country notwithstanding their Boggs, is really as healthy perhaps as the best part of the County; if the great Age and constant health of the Inhabitants, that have been lately, and are now living there, may pass (as sure they ought) for sufficient proof of the matter, of both which, were I put upon it, I could no where find such preg∣nant instances; The Worshipful Mr. Biddulph of Biddulph (as I was informed by divers) having not long since had twelve Tenants all living at a time within the two Parishes of Biddulph and Hor∣ton, whose Ages put together made up a thousand years: And the Worshipfull William Leveson Gower of Trentham Esq having now four Tenants all living at Cocknage in the edge of the Moorelands that one with another make 360 years; which I take for such co∣gent and insuperable Evidences (to omit many others of the like kind) that nothing more need be added in this place; the Lon∣gevity of persons belonging to another.

26. And so much for the waters of more common use, as they are ordinarily found in Pooles, Springs, or Rivers; come we next to consider those that have somwhat unusual in them, whether in their Exit, course, or saturation with Sulphurs or Mineral Salts, or howsoever remarkable upon any other account: And first of the Pooles; whereof there is one at Penford, which though a standing Lake yet is seldom dry, and tolerably clear in setled fair weather, only against rain it becomes troubled, riseing full of bubbles, and in a little time thickening at the top into a yellow Scum, which presently as it rains vanishes away, and the water recovers again its former colour and clearness: All which has frequently been observed and found to be true by the worthy Mr. Fowler an inha∣bitant of the place, who freely confest that he had often been ad∣monisht by it in time of harvest to fetch in his Corne, and at other times made the same use of it, as we do of weather-glasses or other Hygroscopes, so that as to the matter of fact I doubt not at all, though I had not opportunity of makeing Experiment of it.

27. But how this should come to pass is the great question? in order to the solution whereof I could not but call to mind that up∣on the approach of Rain there are few standing pooles that do not rise in bubbles, which some have attributed to the Eeles or other fish, which they would have to be as sensible of approaching stormes as we dayly see birds and beasts are, and perhaps so they may: whether this Poole were stock't with fish or no I did not enquire, nor matters it much whether it be or no, since I am sure the same happens where there are none; beside, that it would be somwhat

unaccountable too, how they should raise a yellow Scumme: It seems therefore in my judgment much more probable, that the pores of the Earth being at such times unlock't (bodies much more compact also yeilding and expanding themselves against rain as we see it in our wainscots, in the boards of Mr. Conniers'sk 1.31, and coards of the Sieur Grillet's new Hygrometerl 1.32) many steams breath forth, which being as various as the earths from whence they pro∣ceed, produce as different fermentations in the mud and water, which thicken it and occasion those bubbles to ascend; whence passing into the Air, and repelling its pressure, they may be as likely too, to cause the falling of the Quicksilver in our Barometers, as any thing perhaps that has hitherto been thought of.

28. The ascent of these steams that thus disturb the Mud &c. I take also to be the occasion that Ducks and other water fowle clap their wings and rejoyce upon approaching rains, and are after so busy with their heads under water, I suppose, to see what they can catch by the way: Which if true in the general, let us now come home to the particular case in hand, and see how it comes to pass that such a yellow scumme should be sent up thus to cover the face of the water. Wherein though it cannot very well be ex∣pected that I should allege very many, or very probable reasons, being unhappily prevented of seeing the place, by ill weather and approach of night; yet perhaps I may not over much miss of the mark, if I guess it may be done by the ascent of Niter or some ni∣trous fume, that mixing with a Sulphur in the bottom of the Lake, and sharply corroding and separating its parts, may thus send them up to the surface of the water, which may be repell'd or dis∣perst again upon the descent of the rain: in which conjecture I am not a little confirm'd, because at Codsall not far off there is sulphur enough in the earth as shall be shewn in due place, which yet I am not sollicitous should longer pass for the reason, than till a better can be brought to supply its roome.

29. And as this foretells Rain, so there are several other Pooles that prognosticat a dearth, either by riseing, or overflowing: such is the Moss poole near Mearton in the parish of Forton; and Drude∣meer in the parish of Aldridge; the riseing of the former, and ex∣undation of the latter, (which generally at other times is near dry) being taken for certain signes of a dearth of Corne: and perhaps so they may indeed not without reason, our dearths here in Eng∣land being most frequently the consequents of great Rains. But that which excells all the rest in this feat is Hungry pit, situat in a field below the old fortification not far from Billington, but in the parish of Seighford, so called I suppose, for that contrary to the rise

of Nile upon the pillar of Mikias in the Isle Roud or Gardenm 1.33 which brings plenty, this predicts scarcity by its rise upon sticks, set up∣right in the mud, which the people place there every one for their own particular observations; forejudging the rise or fall of corne in the Mercats, by the rise or fall of the water on these sticks, and so either keeping or vending it accordingly: wherein it so little re∣guards the quality of the weather, that it overflowes sometimes in the greatest droughts (as I saw it do in the dry Spring Anno. 1680.) and as often has nothing in it after great falls of rain; as was testifyed to me from the frequent observations of divers so∣ber persons now living thereabout: who also assured me that the remarks made upon it had been so profitable to some (whether by casualty or not, they could not tell) that they had advanced their fortunes considerably by it.

30. How many concurrent causes and circumstances attending them, may unite in produceing of such an effect, though it be hard to determin, yet thus much I think we may pronounce for cer∣tain, that it must needs be done by the mediation of Springs: into which opinion I am the rather induced, because I find the same in∣termissions in many fountains, particularly in the Well South of Whittington Church, which though it want not water at any time whatever, yet overflowes (they say) extreamly against a dearth of Corne: But in the Church field not far from thence, in a piece of ground call'd Hunger-moore-slade belonging to Mr. Nicholas Harvey of Whittington, there is a Spring that breaks forth (according to the opinion of the people) only before a time of great dearth, be∣ing at all other times dry though at the wettest seasons, as I found it in Autumn An. 1680. after a full Moneths rain: And when it does break forth (which for the most part happens not in several years* 1.34 it then seldom runs above thirty poles, at which distance it sinks into the Earth again.

31. Near Ashwood bridg in the parish of Kings-Swinford and not far from Swyndon, I was shewed another Spring with a small Lake before it, by my worthy friend Mr. John Paston Rector of Himley, somwhat agreeable to this, commonly called Hunger-wall, because it is usually either quite dry, or at most stagnats and runs not at all, but (as the vulgar will have it) against a dearth of Corne: which how true it may be I shall not here dispute, but most cer∣tain it is, it does not always run; and when it does, it sometimes they say comes forth with such a noise, that it ha's frightened peo∣ple, that have then happen'd to be near it, as particularly they

will tell you it did some Rabbit-stealers, that were not far off, when it once thus happen'd to burst out: much after the same manner I suppose as at that celebrated Spring in the Peak of Derbyshire cal∣led Weeding Well, which as my worthy, learned, and most ingeni∣ous friend, the Worshipful Charles Cotton of Beresford Esq in his historical Poem of the wonders of the Peak, also acquaints us, sends forth a hollow murmering noisen 1.35, before the approach of the wa∣ters, that it emitts in like manner but at certain times; and that too at such inequal periods, that 'tis a hard matter to hit the time of its flowing; so untruly is it said to keep correspondence with the Sea, so as to observe its Tides; and so abusively for that reason do some call it Tides-well; for says the ingenious Mr. Hobbs

Fons hic temporibus nec tollitur (ut mare) certis; Aestibus his nullam praefigit Ephemeris horamo 1.36.

32. And quickly after he tells us, that it is so uncertain, that it ebbs and flows sometimes thrice in an hour, and sometimes again not above once in a Moneth; which frequency of ebbing and flowing he ascribes to the rains, and the infrequency to droughts, to whom the ingenious Mr. Cotton objects,

Though here it might be said if this were so It never would but in wet weather flow; Yet in the greatest drought the Earth abides It never fails to yeild less frequent Tides, Which always clear and unpolluted are, And nothing of the wash of Tempest sharep 1.37

so wholy independent thinks that ingenious Gentleman this Spring to be of the temper of the season, though it has not indeed the repute of foretelling dearths, and other strange Revolutions, as this of ours has; for which very reason and its breaking forth with a noise, I take it to be the Lake of Alexander Neckham, to which he ascribes the very same qualities, and expresly says it is in this County, the Title of his Poem concerning it being

De Lacu Staffordiae.

Rugitu Lacus est Eventus praeco futuri, Cujus aquae fera se credere nulla solet, Instet odora Canum virtus, mors instet acerba, Non tamen intrabit exagitata Lacumq 1.38

of which other quality, that no wild beast will in any wise enter it,

though I must confess I heard nothing, yet this being the most a∣greeable to it of any I could hear of in the County, must either be it, or perhaps (which is more probable) there is none such at all.

33. Walter of Hemingburgh tells us of such intermitting pro∣phetic waters called Ʋipse's, which Gulielimus Neubrigensis says were in the Province of Deira near the place of his birth, and that he knew them from his childhood to run but now and then against a time of dearth, non quidem jugiter sed annis interpositis, several years being interposed wherein they were dry, which drought too they esteemed as a certain signe of plentyr 1.39. And I was told of such a Spring near Spot-Grange not far from Hilderston that breaks forth only against a dearth, which had then been dry for three or four years. The little fountain in Cank-wood so much observed by the right Worshipful Sir Brian Broughton Bar t. may also be reckoned another of this kind; it running as well in dry, as wet weather, and sometimes in neither: All which put together: with some others hereafter to be mention'd, may pass I suppose for evidence enough, that there are indeed in the World such intermitting springs, that have no dependance at all upon the weather: but whither there be any such connexion between the profluence of these, and dearths, wars, plagues, and many other like prodigious Events as are said to follow them, I am very diffident, and want confidence either to assert, or insert them here.

34. For quite contrary to these I find St. Hellens well at Rush∣ton Spencer so plentiful a spring that joyned with another but of equal force, they supply an overshot Mill not far distant from their rise, for many years together; yet so sometimes it comes to pass that this well will grow dry, after a constant profluence perhaps of eight or ten years, and this not by degrees, but altogether of a sudden; as well in wet, as dry years; and always about the begin∣ing of May when the springs are commonly esteemed highest, and so usually continues, as I was credibly informed by the Worship∣ful the ingenious Robert Wilmot of Eardley Esq till about Mar∣tin mass following: And this the vulgar too imagin, never happens but before some stupendous Calamity, of dearth, Warrs, or other grand Revolution: thus they will tell you it grew dry before the last Civil-warr; again before the Martyrdom of K. Charles the first of ever blessed memory; again about 10 years since before a great dearth of Corne; and lastly in An. 79. upon our late distur∣bances. Now that the same things should be portended, by the contrary operations of the same cause, upon the same Subject, seems prety hard, that I say not unreasoneable, to be allowed; so

that I fear there is more of Casualty and credulity in the matter, than of any dependence that can probably intercede, the flowing and dry'th of these Springs, and such deplorable Events.

35. Much better therefore will it be, and much more instru∣ctive to the Reader; wholy to wave all consideration of these ru∣stick opinions, imposed gratis on the incurious Multitude, and ap∣ply my self closely to a further consideration of these temporary Springs; and the rather, because they seem to conduce not a little (together with some others hereafter to be mention'd) to the illustration of the Question so much controverted by the Learn∣ed, viz.

Whether the Springs are supplyed with that great Expence of water, that we see they dayly vent, from Rains, Mists, Dews, Snows, Haile &c. received into the Spungy tops of Mountains and sent forth again at the feet of them, or somwhere in their declivities; or whe∣ther they are furnish't from the Sea through subterraneous passages, as from the great Treasury of the waters, and are return'd again thither by the Rindles, Brooks, and Rivers? Or in short, whether they have their Origine from the Sea by a superior Circulation through the Clouds; or by an inferior, through Channels in the bowells of the Earth? or from both?

which though it be stated by so very many Authors, and so fully too, as that some of them have written whole Treatises about it, so that one would think there should nothing material remain un∣said upon this Subject, Yet having seen in my travels great vari∣ety of Springs, and observed many particulars in this County relating to them perhaps altogether unknown, at least not minded by others; I make bold to produce them, since it must be of con∣cern that any thing can be added, to a Subject that has so fully been enlarg'd upon already.

36. And this that I might doe with as much brevity as may be, I have excluded all the wild extravagant opinions of Nicholas Pa∣pin and others, in the very proposal of the Question; supposing all others that have any tolerable pretence may be reduced to one or other of it's branches, without much force or constraint: To come then close to the matter without further preface, let us first consider (that we may do't too with perspicuity) how many sorts of fountains we have to treat of, for by this means it will be evi∣dent, whether all sorts of Springs belong either to this, or that Mem∣ber of the Question? or wherher some to the one, and the rest to the other? which upon weighing the whole matter as they stand related to this Problem I find best distinguish't by the manner of their Exits, time of duration, and their saturation with mineral

Salts, sulphurs, or bitumen's; from which Topics they naturally divide themselves, into Springs that are

• Either
  • Temporary, such as have no constant flux, and these again are
  • either
    • Regular, and these too are either
      • uncertain, which yet constantly follow Rains.
      • certain and periodical, that constantly ob∣serve a certain time of the year.
    • Irregular, which too are either
      • annual, that happen every year, but at uncertain times of that year.
      • septennial, decennial, &c. that run or stop in 7, 8, or 10 years.
  • Perennial, that have a constant flux, and these again are

• either
  • Pure clear water, which too are either
    • weak, and weeping.
    • strong, and profluent.
  • Mixt, and these are either
    • Saline, whereof some are
      • Hot, as in Bathes.
      • Cold, as in the Salt∣works, and some medicated waters.
    • ...Sulphureous.
    • ...Bitumenous.

under some of which heads I suppose there is no sort of fountain whatever but may be most comodiously reduced without strain∣ing of Courtesie, at least none in Staffordshire, which whether they all come from rains, mists, dews, &c? or all from the Sea? or some from one, & some from the other? is the Question to be de∣bated.

37. In the decision whereof, I think I may be peremptory that amongst the Springs that have no constant flux, those which in the Summer time are commonly dryed up, but after plentiful falls of rain, or competent moist weather, are constantly either profluent, or have a moderat stream; in short, that the temporary regular uncer∣tain Springs, must certainly depend on rains, dews, &c. And I beleive most of those perennial Springs that are near the tops of Hills (whereof I have had the opportunity of viewing many) which I generally find to be but weak and weeping rather than runing, such as that upon the Bruff hill in the Parish of Mare, in all

probability too must either come from rains, or the mists that we see usualy hang on the Summits of them, when it is clear and dry weather below in the valleys: And not only these, but as Vitruvi∣us, Peter Martyr, Cardan, Molina, Bernard Palissy, Gassendus, Le Pere Iean Francois, and another Anonymus French Author, Printed at Paris An. 1674. Mr. Ray, Mr. Hook, &c. are of opinion, all other Springs and runing waters whatever, owe their origine and continuation chiefly to rains, dews, &c. The probability whereof they insinuat principally by the following reasons, which I shall here repeat as faithfully and as succinctly as may be.

38. First because great inundations or overflowing of Rivers manifestly proceed either from the rain that immediatly falls, or from the melting of Snow or Ice that hath formerly fallen upon the more eminent parts of Mountains. 2, Because many Springs quite fail in dry Summers, and generally all abate considerably of their waters. 3, Because no Springs break out either on the top of a hill, or so near the top, but that there is always earth enough above them to afford a supply, considering the condition of high Mountains which are almost continually moistened with Clouds, and on which the Sun beams have but little force. 4, Because 'tis observed that there are no Springs rise in any plain, unless there be hills so near that one may reasonably conclude they are fed from thence. 5, Because in Clay Grounds into which water sinks with difficulty, we seldom find any Springs, whereas in sandy, gra∣velly, rocky, stony, or other grounds into which rain can easily make its way, we seldom fail of them. 6, Because we are assur∣ed by those that have experimented and calculated it, that commu∣nibus annis & locis there falls water enough from the Heavens in actual rain, mists, dews, snow or hail, upon the surface of any Country, to supply all the water that runs into the Sea by the rivers of that Country. 7, Because they who would have Fountains to arise from, and to be continnually fed from the Sea, have not as yet given any satisfactory account,

39. First, that there are any such Caverns or subterraneous pas∣sages in the Earth that come from the Sea; or 2. If there be, how water can ascend to the tops of Mountains and have its efflux there, since the Sea can have no such protuberances or elevated parts above the rest, as the earth ha's; and that no water will ascend above its owne Level. or 3, How the water (if from the Sea) should become thus fresh, since it seems so far from being done by transcolation, that it cannot be so done by distillation though fre∣quently repeated, but it will retain a brackish tast; for that sea∣water, as Varenius asserts, ha's a volatil as well as a fixt salt, which latter though it can be separated either by percolation or distillati∣on,

yet the volatil cannot, it being so spirituous that it will ascend with the most rarifyed water. Nor 4. do they give any satisfacto∣ry account, why the passages through which these percolations are made (if the salt be continually left behind in them) are not long since stopt up with the salt that ha's perpetually been left behind in them from the begining of the World. Nor 5. why the Sea is not long before this become all fresh, since we cannot but suppose that the whole mass of water ha's once at least past through the body of the earth since the Creation of the World, if not many more times than there are years since the begining, as those that do hold the contrary opinion do freely admit. And these are the chief reasons (nor are they slight ones) upon which the Authors above mention'd have grounded their opinion, which is the most applauded one too, and most universally received; in relation whereof I have been so far from abateing any thing of their strength, that I think I have proposed some of them with more advantage than the Authors themselves.

40. And yet this opinion seems to be prest with more, and more insuperable difficulties than the other of Homer, Plato, Ari∣stotle, Virgil, Seneca, Pliny, the Philosophers of Conimbra, Scaliger, Dobrzenzki, Van Helmont, Lydiat, Pierre Davity, Des Cartes, Du Hamel, Le Pere Schottus, M. Jaques Rohault, Petrus Barbay, and the Reverend and Learned Dr. Stillingfleet Dean of St. Pauls, who all hold with little difference that some Springs at least are furnish't from other waters in the bowels of the Earth, which most of them agree too must be supplyed from the Sea by subterraneous passages, and that they are returned again thither by the Rindles, Brooks, and Rivers, by the inferior Circulation: It is prest I say with far more inexplicable difficulties, than that of Homer, Plato, &c. for beside that 'tis altogether unreasonable to admit that any of those temporary irregular Springs mention'd in the § § 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. of this Chapter, (considering their circumstances) should by any means possible come from rains, dews, &c. though the waters they send forth indeed are but few and inconsiderable; it is alto∣gether as improbable (that I say not impossible) that the tempo∣rary regular periodical Springs should have their origine thence: for besides that they constantly observe their terms whether in wet or dry weather, some of them happen at least (if not so directed by some unknown secret operation of Nature) either to flow on∣ly in the dry Summer quarter, or to be most profluent then, though in an extream drought.

41. Thus the famous horary Fountain Lers, that rises out of a vast deep Cave in the mountains of Foix, near Belestat in Languedoc, and waters the Mazerean plains near Tholouse, Hic (says Emanuel Maig∣nan)

per aestatem singulis horis, quadrante paulatim succrescit, non sine multo aquarum immugientium fragore, mox quadrante in uberri∣mum fluvium exundat; deinde alio quadrante subsidet, ac demum qua∣drante etiam inter quiescens, arets 1.40. i. e. that this Spring in Summer (which Du Bartas says holds for four Months, Gassendus but three, and that it first breaks forth in May, June, or July) ebbs and flowes every hour, riseing and increasing with a great noise the first quar∣ter, and flowing plentifully the second; then subsideing again the third quarter, and growing dry the fourth: in both which excesses it is so considerable, that as Du Bartas testifies, for one half hour one may pass it dryshod, and the next scarce at all; part of whose Poem upon it, Gabriel Lermeus ha's thus translated,

Per menses aliquot dum Sol utramque revisit Thetida, sex quater ille vices oriturque caditque; Nunc siccis pedibus siccae calcantur arenae, Nec mora dimidiae spatium uix fluxerit horae, Ecce tibi subito ruit impete Lersus abundans Spumeus, & Cursus magnarum imitatur aquarum* 1.41.

42. Amongst these temporary regular periodical waters, we may also reckon those of Niger, Ganges, and Rio de la Plata, these hav∣ing their rise at stated times, as well as those of the great River Nile, which begining its decrease on the 24 of September, and so continuing till May following, is then so low and weak, that it seems rather to stagnat than run; but precisely about Sun riseing on the 12 of June or Baoni of the Copties, which is the 17^th of ours, in the height of Summer, it begins to increase, and so continues till the 17 of their September which is our 24^th, in the mean time over∣flowing and strangely fertilizing the whole Country of Egypt: The Origine of which increase the learned Vanslebius (who lived there some years and carefully observed it) thinks chiefly to proceed from the fall of certain drops, somewhat like dew, that mixing with the waters cause such a fermentation and corruption in them, that they expand themselves and swell to a great height, long before it can any way be possibly effected by the great rains in Habessia, which according as Ludolfus was informed by the Habessian Ab∣bot Gregory do not fall till their winter, which begins not till the 25 of Junet 1.42, and must have some time did they precisely fall on that day (and were not stopt by the Cataracts) to run that vast

tract of Land between Goiam (where the Nile rises) and Egypt; though Vanslebius says they fall not till July, August, and September, so that they can neither be the first nor sole cause of its in∣creaseu 1.43.

43. During this rise, occasion'd by the fermentation, there is a green kind of Scumme superinduced upon the water, which en∣dures betwixt twenty and forty days, more or less according as the great rains fall sooner or later in Habessinia, which when they come down into Egypt turne the River red, being so tinged with the earth by the way before they come thither, the Soil of Egypt be∣ing black and therefore unlikly to do it. The learned Cambraeus as cited by Gassendus thinks this fermentation to be caused by Niter, wherewith the Country and especially the Channel of the River is acknowledged to abound, which being heated by the Sun, thus dilates it self and makes the River to swellw 1.44: Wherein if he intend that sort of Niter which we call Borax (I mean the natural and not the factitious) otherwise call'd Chrysocolla, described by Rulandus and others to be a green sort of Earthx 1.45, and that every body knows (though we have none but the factitious) huffs and swells with heat, I readily subscribe to him: And the rather be∣cause we find it mention'd to be plentiful in Egypt, and that the waters in the Rivers cause an itching over the body, as Vanslebius informes us upon its first increasey 1.46, which seems also to argue that the pungent particles of Niter, or perhaps of the Natron of Egypt, which too is a species of Niter* 1.47, are then very active: And third∣ly because hence we can give some rational account of the green scumme, which I take to be nothing but the froth of the fermenta∣tion made by the heat of the Sun whilst it works on the Borax or green Earth, which says Wormius is the better, by how much the nearer it comes to the colour of a true Smaragdz 1.48. Not but that I know too that common Niter in its detonation or alcalisation with coales, acquires a green colour, which perhaps it may also yield, up∣on the excessive heats of the Sun, in that Country.

44. Nor is the River only lyable to this remarkable fermenta∣tion, but the Ponds and Lakes too any where near it, and they are also covered with the same green Scumme, which Vanslebius says in the year 72. was thicker than it had been known to be, for ma∣ny years before; more particularly the waters of the Well of Ar∣genus or Gernus a Monastery of the Copties near Benhese a Towne in the middle of Egypt, is observ'd to be sensible of the fall of the drops or dew, and to rise the very same night, and in the same man∣ner

with the River, which having no possible communication with the rains in Habessia, shews evidently that the increase of the water in the River, comes partly at least from another cause, and most likely from the fermentation made by the Niter, which however it comes to pass seems to leave its owne pits (whereof there are abundance in Egypt) at the time of the increase and goe into the River; Pliny saying expresly that whilst Nile rises and flows, all their Niter pits are dry, and that when it falls again and returns within its channel, then they yield their nitrous juice again for 40. days together.b 1.49 Which too is further confirmed by this one very strange, but true Experiment viz. that if you take of the Earth of Egypt adjoyning to the River; and preserve it carefully, that it never come to be wet, nor any way wasted, and weigh it dayly, you shall never find it more or less heavy till the 17. of June, at which day it begins to be more ponderous, and augmenteth with the increase of the River, whereby they have as infallible knowledg of the state of the future Deluge, as by the River it selfe: the humidity of the Air no question having recourse through all passable places and mixing with the same Niter in the Earth, increaseth the same as it does the water, as was confirm'd to Alpinus from the frequent Experiments seen of it, by Paulus Marianus Ʋenetus the French Kings Consul there, Bapt: Elianus a Jesuit, Franciscus Saxus, Franciscus Bonus, and one John Varot an English Gentlemanc 1.50; which has put me upon deliberation whether there may not fall such diurnal as well as annual dews (that may also vary with the changes of the Moone) which in some measure may cause the flux & reflux of the green Sea (in proportion to the parts of the World where the Tides are great, small, or none at all) by such fermentations.

45. Nor less unlikely are the wonderful periodical waters of the Zirchnitzer see, or rather Lake of Carniola, to depend upon rains; of which though Georgius Wernerus has written at large,* 1.51 and made a Map of the Lake; yet the learned and ingenious Dr. Ed∣ward Browne has much better, and I believe more truly described it: Which He says is about 2 German miles long, and one broad; unequal in the bottom, being in some places but 4 foot, but in the Ʋalleys (whereof there are 7 more eminent that have names) twenty yards deep; in these valleys there are many fish as Carps, Tench, Eeles &c. which together with the water, some time in the Month of June, all descend annually under ground through many great holes at the bottom; the Earth while the waters are thus

sunk, makeing a speedy production of grass yielding food for their Cattle in the Winter season: which in the Month of Septem∣ber following, as certainly return again by the same holes, the waters springing or mounting up to the height of a Pike, and runing and overspreading the whole place again (as Wernerus describes it) with that velocity, that they will overtake a swift Horseman. It being remarkable too, that this recess of water (as the rise of Nile) is foreknown to them by a stone there is in it, called the Fishers stone; the Prince of Eckenberg, whose Lake it is, giveing all peo∣ple Liberty then to take the fish, which they do by standing in the water by the holes, and intercepting their passage† 1.52.

46. But we need not run so far either as France, Egypt, or Carnio∣la, to find out intermitting periodical waters that have no depen∣dence on weather, for (though I find none in Staffordshire) goe we but to Lambourn in Berks & there we have a Rivulet as remarkably such, as any of the foremention'd, as I have been inform'd by many, but more particularly by the ingenious J. Hippisley Esq an Inha∣bitant of the place, and late high Sheriff of the County, who ha's been pleased to favour me with divers Letters concerning it; im∣porting chiefly that the Rivulet there called Lambs-bourn, which very likely as Mr Camden thinks gives name to the Towne, runs much more plentifully in the Summer than Winter, and that the Springs in the Towne it selfe are sometimes so low in the latter Sea∣son, that they are commonly forced to digg their Wells deeper for want of Water: And expressly writing to Him to know how the Springs held the last great drought in 81, He sent me word that they were so far, from fayling, that (if there were any sensible dif∣ference) the Springs and Rivulet then were rather higher than ordinary, and fayled not till about the middle of September (the usual time) before which there had fallen rain enough, yet then not a drop to be seen in the Channel, till about the middle of Febr. when the springs as customarily, began to recover themselves again.

47. Nor has this been only observed of late, but admired and celebrated also in former Ages, though by none so signally as the Poet Sylvester in his Translation of Du Bartas, who lived long at Lambourn in a house now of Mr. Hippisleys, in quality of a Steward to the antient family of the Essexes, which for many Generations flourish't there; where He compares it to the foremention'd Lers of Du Bartas, and describes its Qualities as followeth,

And little Lambourn though thou match not Lers, Nor had'st the Honor of Du Bartas verse; If mine have any thou must needs pertake,* 1.53

Both for thy owne, and for thy Ownersd 1.54 sake, Whose kind Excesses thee so nearly touch, That yearly for them thou dost weep so much, All Summer long (while all thy Sisters shrink) That of thy tears a million dayly drink, Besides thy Waast; which then in hast doth run To wash the feet of Chaucers Donningtone 1.55. But (while the rest are full unto the top) All Winter long thou never show'st a drop Nor send'st a doit of needless subsidie To Cram the Kennet's wantless Treasury. Before her stores be spent and Springs be staid: Then, then alone, thou lend'st a liberal aid, Teaching thy wealthy neighours (mine of late) How, when, and where, to right participate Their streams of comfort, to the poor that pine, And not to grease still the too greasy Swine: Neither for fame nor forme (when others doe) To give a morsel or a mite or two, But severally, and of a selfly motion, When others miss, to give the most devotionf 1.56.

48. I know Mr. Ray says that the Rivers which flow from the Alps run lowest in the Winter, and abound most with water in the Summer time, so that sometimes they overflow in the hotest Months when no rain falls; and that He testifies the same of the River Rhodanus; but attributes it wholy to the melting of the Snows at that time of Year, which lye thick on those Mountains for 6 months together, no rain falling on them all the winter Season (excepting the lower parts) but only Snow, and perhaps indeed it may be sog 1.57: I know also that Gassendus alleges the same cause for the flow∣ing of the Lers in the Summer Monthsh 1.58: However it may be with those, I am sure there is no pretence for the same cause at Lambourn, for having strictly enquired, as there are no Hills thereabout con∣siderable enough to preserve Snow on their tops any longer than in other parts of England, nor large Clefts or Caverns in them that might conserve it so long as to be melted only in Summer, and then to make this copious flux; So could I not hear of any other known means whereby this might be done, More than for the great River of St. Francis the chief of Pharnambuck, which as Piso acquaints us, by some hidden cause in Nature overflowes

in this manner in the Summer time when all other Rivers are low∣esti 1.59: Or for the fountain near Pesquera in Spain which as Cardan informes us begins to run in the Spring, overflowes in the Summer, begins to fail in Autumn, and is quite dry in Winterk 1.60. To which let me add the Gips upon the Woolds in Yorkshire, which says the Worshipful Edward Leigh of Rushall Esq in the drought of Sum∣mer, when all other Springs seem to be dryed up, burst out and rise up five or six yards in height and so fall into the Dales and make a little River, by which the Townes near refresh their Cattle, when the Valley Springs faill 1.61.

49. Of which sort of Springs and Rivers there are so many in the World that the day will scarce serve me to recount them all: The wells near the Lake Ascanius says Agricola, Hyeme siccari, ae∣state usque ad labra repleri solent, i. e. that they use to be dry in win∣ter, but in summer full to the very brim; he tells us also of the Va∣lesian Spring ad calidas Lucenses that runs plentifully all the sum∣mer from May to September but then grows dry *: And Varenius acquaints us that at the Towne of Villa nova in Portugal there is a fountain that flows only from the Kalends of May, to the Kalends of November, and then growes dry; and of another in Wallisland near the bathes of Leuckerbad that ceases to run in Autumn, and begins not again till the May following; Another of this kind he says there is in Spain 2 miles from Valladolid; and another near the Church of St. Iean d' Angely somewhere in Aquitan in France† 1.62: To which Wernerus adds one at Psevers a towne of the Grisons, which constantly failes in October, and springs forth not again till May; and another in Switzerland that always becomes dry in Au∣gust, and runs no more till June following¶ 1.63; with many others that I omit, least I hurt the patience of the Reader.

50 And as it is improbable that any of these Temporary Springs (Except such as never run but after rains, and fail upon all droughts) so it is altogether as unlikely that Constant waters that abate not at all in the greatest siccity, should wholy depend upon so uncertain principles as Rains Snows &c whereof there are plen∣ty in this County; particularly of a sort of fountains which Agri∣cola mentions, Qui semper abundant Aqua, sed nunquam effluuntm 1.64, that are always full of water but never overflow so as to make any streame; such are those pits of water in the moorish ground near Eccleshall Castle, which they will tell you are bottomless because always full and never failing, yet never runing over: There are* 1.65

much such wells too in Dunsmoore Meddowes near the village of Rudyerd over against Heracles in the parish of Leek, which all stand equally full in the greatest drought and the wettest season; when I was there in July 79 they were all brim full, though the Rivulets near them were in a manner dry; they are 8 or 10 in number, and all very deep, yet none of them empties it self into the River, but the bigest which my worthy friend Mr. Thomas Gent found by the plummet to be but 9 or 10 yards deep, though they had always before been esteemed bottomless. And

51. Dr. Boat informes us that the Springs in Ireland (where there are very many) for the most part of them are of this fashi∣on, like to a small pit full of water to the brim, and runing forth at the lower side, without noise or bublingn 1.66, as the biggest of those at Dunsmoore does; and another of this kind on Alrewas Hays near the North-West Angle of the Plate course, which thus always overflowes, and by the vulgar is falsly reputed bottomless; though indeed it be not inconsiderable, that being 4 foot square at the top, which it holds for as many foot deep, and after turning into a round of two foot and ½ diameter, and situat in a fine plain almost level, without any thing deserving the name of a hill to assist it, the forementioned ingenious Mr. Wolferstan found the plummet to descend in it 42 foot, before it reacht the bottom: For if the greatest rains as Seneca asserts sink into the Earth never above ten footo 1.67, or if as the Anonymous French Author believes, who seems to have taken a great deal of care in this matter, they never wet above a foot and a halfp 1.68; and if as the same Author thinks all rains that fall upon plains are spent in the nourishment of Plants, &c. I see not how this sort of Springs, whether they run or not, that lye so deep, and are constantly full if they do not run, as well in droughts as wet weather, should have their supply from rains, snows, &c. or from any other place, but some Magazine of waters in the bowels of the Earth.

52. But it may be it will be objected that though these Springs are constant, yet they are but weak, and some of them never proflu∣ent, so that a very small supply even from the superficies of the Earth may keep them so; which though scarce to be granted, yet let us admit for once that it may be so; but what then shall we say to those mighty perennial Springs that constantly throw forth great quantities of water, without sensible abatement in what season soever? whereof there is one near Acton Trussel, and Forwel Spring in Cank wood may pass for another, that do constantly so; but those which excell all the rest of this County (as well upon this, as

other accounts hereafter to be mention'd) are the Springs at Willowbridge, belonging to the Right Honorable the Virtuous and most Accomplish't Lady, Jane Lady Gerard Baroness Gerard of Gerards Bromley, the first actual Encourager of this Designe, the Prospect of whose Paternal Seat, is here most deservedly added, Tab. 4. whereof there is one, that (notwithstanding it is opprest with a vast weight of water always lying upon it) throws out con∣stantly at least 6 cubick Inches of water (and so does the Spring at the foot of Berry bank near the Village of Darlaston) beside 60 more great and small (that yield from six to one cubic Inch of wa∣ter) which all rise beside it, within less than 20 yards square; and yet no considerable Hills near, like to receive rain enough to supply these waters; that from the Wells to the Lodg being but an easy ascent, and those 'twixt Madley Park and Mare, and of Ashley heath, at too great a distance; and (if they do contribute any thing) supplying the Expence of other Rivulets either flowing from them, or runing between them and these Springs, as the Ri∣ver Tern does between Willowbridge, and all the Hills near Made∣ley and Mare.

53. I know that the right Worshipful the Learned Sr. Chri∣stopher Wren the now worthy President of the Royal Society ha's contrived a Rain-bucket to measure the quantity of Rain that falls, which as soon as 'tis full, empties it self into a Cistern, and so re∣ceives more; which how often it performs is recorded by a Wea∣ther Clock, as may be seen in the Repository of the R. Society at Gresham Collegeq 1.69, by which it might easily be computed whether sufficient rain falls communibus annis upon the declivities of ground toward any Spring, to supply the constant flux of it; which yet I think ha's never been duely observed for a whole year round: But the forecited anonymous French Author ha's been so industri∣ous and curious in this point, that he computed the rise of rain-water in a Conservatory for divers years, and found the mean rise to amount to 19 Inches and 2⅓ lines; He made also an Estimat of the course of the River Seine from the spring head to Ainay le Duc, 3 miles off (where there enters another Rivulet that swells it) with the declivities of the ground for a mile on each side, which was all he could reasonably think might contribute to its flux, and this space of three miles long and two broad, he made the Con∣servatory of the rain-water to furnish the River for a whole year: Upon which Tract of ground, being six miles square in surface, sup∣poseing that during a whole year, there have fallen rain to the height of 19 Inches and 2⅓ lines as aforesaid, it amounts he says to 280 Millions 899942 Muids of water.

54. Now that he might give a gross Estimat (for he pretends not at all to be precise in it) of the Quantity of the water runing away in this River, compared with the quantity of rain that fell upon that tract of ground before mention'd, he computed (from comparison made with the River of the Gobelines near Ʋersailles where it hath 50 Inches of water by measure) that this River could not have above 1000 or 1200 Inches of water always run∣ing, compensating the lesser quantity that it hath at its source, with the greater that it hath towards Ainay le Duc: And follow∣ing those that make profession of governing and conveying spring waters., he judg'd that a cubick Inch of water yielded in 24 hours 83 Muids, agreeing with those that say that a cubical vessel whose side is two foot Paris measure holds one Muid of water: Or (which is the same thing) that a vessel which contains 83 Muids of wa∣ter will make an Inch of water run continually for 24 hours; so that for a whole year (which is near 366 times as much) there will be required 30378. Muids to make an inch water flow con∣stantly: which 83 Muids (to put them into English mea∣sure) make 68 Hogsheads and 42 Gallons, Ale or Beer mea∣sure; every French Muid containing 16777 216/1000 cubic Inches Eng∣lish, which is 59 49••/1000 or 59 Ale or beer Gallons and ½ proxime; so that accounting 72 Gallons to the Hogshead, the Muid contains scarce 5/6 of a Hogshead.

55. These particulars being granted him, he concludes that if one Inch of water require 83 Muids for a day, then 1200 Inches require 99600 Muids, wherefore for a whole year, which is near 366 times as much, there, will be required 36453600 Muids; which being deducted from the 280899942 Muids, which he sup∣posed to fall annually upon the Conservatory or tract of Land of six miles square that he judg'd might contribute to the flux of that river, there remains 244446342 Muids, i. e. 'twixt 6 and 7 times as much as was spent in the maintenance of the River: which he thinks so abundantly exceeds what is ordinarily required for other occasions and losses, such as the nourishment of Plants, supply for vopors, extraordinary swellings of the River whil'st it rains, and deviations of the water other ways, that there needs but the sixt, at most but the fift part of the rain and snow water that falls, to make a River run the whole yearr 1.70. Which indeed is so vast a dis∣proportion, that one would think at first sight that the question were determin'd; and there is no question but it had been so, did all the Conservatories and Springs in the world hold such a dispropor∣tion, though it were less by one half.

56. But let us see what this Author must very likely have con∣cluded

in case he had considered such Springs as those above men∣tion'd at Willowbridge § 52, where the bigest constantly throws out (without any sensible abatement) at least six cubick Inches of water, beside 60 more that yeild other different proportions, from 6 inches down to one, and all these within (perhaps little more) than 10 yards square so that they may all without difficulty be esteem'd as one; Had, I say, this Author but lighted on such Springs as these, whose Conservatory too must be very narrow, for the Ri∣ver Tern running close by them, cuts of all contribution from one side, and receives in great measure what else might have been sup∣posed to come from the other, he had found perhaps near as great a disproportion between the Spring and the Conservatory, as he did before between the Conservatory and the Spring: For granting Willowbridg Park to be the Conservatory for these Springs, whose surface we will also allow to be a mile square, and that the rain annually falling upon its superficies doth amount to 19 Inches and 2⅓ lines, yet supposing too (what cannot be reasonably de∣nyed) that great part of the water that this tract of ground con∣tributes is received all along into the River both above and below the Springs, it cannot well be thought (the whole Conservatory being but ⅙ part of that for the Seine) that it can furnish 1/100 part of water in 10 yards square, for which the French Author allowed no less than three miles in length.

57. But we will grant notwithstanding the differences of the latitudes of the Consetvatories, and of the longitudes for the issues of the waters, that the waters of the Conservatory of Willowbridg do so concenter (which is very improbable) as to furnish ••/10 part within that little space, of what the French Authors did in 3 miles in length, that is 28089994 Muids of water in a whole year, yet the disproportion will be great between these Springs and their Con∣servatory: For the greatest of these Springs alone (at the rate of 83 Muids for every cubic Inch) vents 2988. Muids or 2469 Hogs∣heads dayly; that is, 1093608 Muids, or 903654 Hogsheads yearly; to which add the other 60 Springs venting different pro∣portions from 6 cubic Inches down to one, the mean whereof will be each 3 cubic inches, they vent each 546804 Muids, or 451827 Hogsheads yearly; that is all of them together 32808240 Muids, or 27109620 Hogsheads; which 32808240 Muids being added to the 1093608 Muids of the greatest Spring, amounts to 33901848 Muids, which is 4811854 Muids more then 'twas sup∣posed the Conservatory could furnish in a year: without allow∣ance made for the great quantities that must needs be spent in the nourishment of Trees and other Plants, and the much greater in Exhalations: For if we may believe experience, the vapors that

are exhaled into the Air for Clouds and distill again in rains, come not so much from the Seas, as from the moisture of the Earth; thus we see that in uliginous boggy Countrys (such as Ireland) the rains are frequent, whereas in the Sandy deserts of Afric and Arabia they have no rains at all: Not to mention with what difficulty salt wa∣ters do evaporat, or that our most lasting rains come from the East and South i. e. from the Landward and not from the Sea: to which add that the greatest rains obstruct the pores of the Earth by fil∣ling them with dirt, so that they cannot descend above a foot and ½ (which is owned by this Author) and are therefore for the most part carryed away in floods: Whence 'tis yet plainer how unlikely it is that such mighty Springs as these should be main∣tained by rains falling on such a Conservatory.

58. And yet how inconsiderable are these Springs at Willow∣bridg, in comparison of some others there are in the world, and particularly of one in the French Authors owne Country, the foun∣tain head of the River la Sorgue in the County of Venaissin; which says Gassendus, ab ipsa statim scaturigine evadit navigabilis, i.e. that comes from so great a Spring, that it is navigable presently at its very rises 1.71: whereof had he delivered us so nice an account as he ha's done of the other, he had certainly given himself and the world better satisfaction. But for clearer evidence of the mat∣ter in hand, because the Conservatories for single Springs are al∣ways as uncertain as they are unequal, let us consider the immense quantities of water that are disembogued into the Sea by all the Rivers, and make an estimat whether an annual rise of 19 inches and 2 ⅓ lines over the whole face of the Earth will suffice for them; the question seeming to be rendred much less difficult, by how much 'tis enlarged, there being now but one, an t'other, to be consider'd, whereas before every little Spring was a new question. To come then quick and close to the business,

59. I will found my computation upon that of Ricciolus in his Almagestum novum, where he tells us that the Eridanus or Po be∣ing but 1000 paces broad, and 15 foot or 3 paces deep (a very inconsiderable River in respect of some others) pours forth into the Adriatic 18000000 of cubical paces of water every hour (sup∣poseing it to run but six miles in that time) that is 432000000 per diem, which is near 15552000000 of cubic paces per Annumt 1.72, and yet I take this to be a River of the third and lowest Class of great Rivers, scarce so big as the Thames or Severn in England, or

the Rhosne in France, whereof there may perhaps be above a hun∣dred in the world (as well as these) not thought considerable enough to be numbred by Varenius in his second Class: In which he places the Rhine, the Elve, Euphrates, Tanais, Borysthenes, Petzo∣ra, Pesida, Tabab, Yrtiis &c, to the number of twenty: And in his first, the Nile, Niger, Danow, Oby, Ganges, Jeniscea, Parana, Rio de la Plata, Orellana, Maragnon, Omaranna, Canada or of St. Laurence, Jansu, Volga, &c. to the number of 16 or 17v 1.73: The last whereof [the Volga] alone (as the same Varenius ha's computed it) throws forth water sufficient within a year into the Caspian Sea to cover the whole Earthw 1.74; which allowing for the depth of the innumerable Valleys, will amount at least to as much as the 19 inches and 2⅓ lines can come too: Nor surely can that of St. Lau∣rence pour forth less, it runing as the same Author informs us 600 German miles, and being broad at the mouth as Ricciolus declares, no less than 60 (I suppose he means Italian) milesx 1.75.

60. Now if the Po do vent into the Adriatic Sea 15552000000 of cubic paces in a year, the River of St. Laurence being 60 times as broad (not to mention the likelyhood of its being much deeper) must vent at least nine hundred thirty three thousand, one hun∣dred and twenty Millions of cubical paces of water, which (to depend upon Varenius's supputation, and the near equality of the two rivers, to avoid multiplicity of Arithmetic) must either of them expend water enough to cover the superficies of the whole Earth to the height at least of 19 Inches and 2⅓ lines: But if nei∣ther of these will be thought sufficient to do it, certainly it cannot be denyed to the Argyropotamus or Rio de la Plata otherwise call'd St. Christophers which I take to be the bigest River in the World, the same Ricciolus expresly asserting that Nilus, Ganges, and Eu∣phrates put all together will not equal it; its mouth being 90 miles broad, and runing with such violence into the Sea, that it makes it fresh for 200 miles forwardy 1.76. Yet if any Man will be so unreasonable as to grant it to neither of these, nor to all three toge∣ther, surely it will be difficult to find one, that will be so hardy as to deny it these, and 1000 more at least that there are in the World of all magnitudes, which put together, in my weak judgment can∣not but exceed the 19 Inches &c. upon a modest account less than three, if not five hundred times over: Whence the Reader may be satisfyed that a Conservatory of water over the surface of the Earth of such a height, is not like to supply all the Rivers of the World.

61. And if the cold fresh water Rivers be not furnish't from rains, much less sure can the hot, Salt, or bitter ones have their

origine thence; for such we find there are in very good Authors: Whereof Peter Martyr says there is one in Cuba so large that it is navigable, and yet so hot that one can hardly endure to touch itz 1.77; and there is a Spring in Ireland that is as hot as water can possibly be made with fire; and in Japan another yet much hot∣ter, it retaining heat as Caronius writes 3 times longer than other water heated with firea 1.78: As unlikely too are the Salt or bitter Rivers such as Exampeus near Callipadum in Asia minorb 1.79, to have their maintenance from rains; or any Bathes, Saltworks, or other Medicated waters; nay so far are they from it, that by the fall of rains, they are all much prejudic'd, if not rendered wholy useless by them, at least for sometime; the Bathes being cooled, the brine weakened by the mixture with the freshes, and all Medicinal Springs so diluted, that they become thence ineffectual, till these rain waters are carryed off again.

62. Not that the rains descend so low as where the waters are heated by fermentations or otherwise, or made salt by the Mineral glebes they pass through; but by mixing with them here above at their exit: for it is plain that most of the rain-waters (as shall be further proved hereafter) which are not presently carryed away by the Rivulets, stand in ponds, high-ways, or other hollows in the ground, till the Sun exhales them into Clouds again; and never descend into the solid Earth (which is sufficient for the nourishment of all sorts of Plants) above ten foot at most; whereas the heats for the Bathes lie very deep: For who ever met with any near the surface of the Earth sufficient to make waters so hot as they are here in England at the Bath, or St. Vin∣cents rock, or at Porcet near Aken in Germany, where they have a little hole in the street which they call Hell cover'd with a move∣able Grate, the water whereof is so hot, that the neighbours round about in the Summer time, when they have no fire, boyle their Eggs in it (letting them down in a Net) which it will do to hard∣ness, in a little spacec 1.80: Or whoever met with any rocks of natural salt so near the day (as they call it) like to make such brine as they have at the saltworks in Cheshire, or at the Brine pits in the Parish of Weston in this County: The Medicated waters indeed are very weak in comparison of these, yet being spoiled with rains as well as the rest, 'tis probable at least that none of them come from rains, dews, &c.

63. Further add that if it be so unlikely that the cold or hot, fresh or Salt Springs come from rains where there fall plenty of

them; more improbable is it still (that I say not impossible) that the Springs in such Countrys where there falls little rain should be supplyed from it: and yet we are credibly informed that the Springs in such places flow as plentifully as elsewhere. In the Isle Mayo (one of those of Cape Verd) which lyeth in the Torrid Zone 13 degr. and 30 m. North of the Aequator, it never rains but 3 weeks in July in the whole year, yet there rises a Spring of pure fresh water, makeing a Rivulet about 14 foot wide and two deep in the middle of the Island, before it has run above half way to the Sea; of which dimensions it was found by the ingenious Mr. James Young of Plimouth after ten months drought; nor could he perceive by the banks that it could run much larger after the showers in July, than it did then after so long a want of themd 1.81: Whence 'tis evident there may continue a constant large flux of water for ten or eleven months together without recruits from rains. Which being so remarkable a case, I cannot but recom∣mend it to the examination of our curious French Author, desireing him to let us know, after allowance made for what the dry and parched Earth doth drink up of the showers (the Island being si∣that in the Torrid Zone) how many Inches there will be left (and lines too, for I know he must be critical) to supply such a Current. And after he has done with that, let him next consider another at Rotunda in the West Indies where it rains in like manner but once a year, which though a very small Island, has a Spring riseing in the middle of it, so very profluent, that as we are told the whole Island would be short in proportion for a Conservatory sufficient to supply it, though it rain'd there constantly all the year rounde 1.82. As perhaps might the Strophades, which as the learned and ingeni∣ous Sr. George Wheeler tells us, are Islands judg'd distant about fifty miles from Zant and thirty from the Morea, lying very low, and the biggest not above five miles in circuit; nevertheless they report (says he) that there is such plenty of fresh water there, that one cannot thrust a stick into the ground but the water gushes out in the place. Much less still would the rock in the Thracic Bos∣phorus, on which stands the Sconce call'd the Maiden-Tower, be sufficient for this purpose, which, as the same worthy Author also tells us, though not above 30 yards about, and encompassed with a deep Sea, yet has a fountain of fresh water springing from it* 1.83.

64. And as there are Springs where there is little or no rain, so in many places in the World there are no Springs at all, though there fall rain enough, and all other requisites in being that this

Hypothesis demands, such as lose pervious Earth to receive, Moun∣tains to contain, and a well luted bottom to support; as the same ingenious Mr Iames Young observed at Lipari an Isle near Sicily where all these concurred, and yet there Springs in it not one drop of waterf 1.84; whence it manifestly appears (whatever is pretended) how unapt rains are to cause Springs, though they may and doe sometimes accidentally increase them: But we need not goe so far as the fruitfull Isle of Lipari for satisfaction in this point, it being plainly so in a large tract of ground in the County of Kent, there riseing not one Spring all along between the Dover road to London and the ridge of hills above Charing, Lenham, and Maidstone; from Ospringe to the banks of the River Medway; which I take to be about 17 miles in length, and about 5 in bredth, and yet the Earth in all this Country is bibulons enough of rain, and has Hills (if they be so requisit) for Cisterns to contain it, and a close firm bed of Chalk at 10 or 15 foot distance underneath to support it, that it sink not too deep into the Earth: Underneath which Chalk 'tis true there are plentiful Springs enough; but no man that knows the place, or is well inform'd about it, can imagin that these can come from the rains; the bed of Chalk underneath the uppermost mould, being altogether impervious, and some∣times threescore, but very seldom less than ten or twenty fathom thick: which too certainly must be the reason that the Sea Springs doe not rise here as in other places, the bed of Chalk being as im∣penetrable to them below, as to the Rains from above.

65. Thus haveing made it probable at least that most Springs doe not so much depend upon rain as some would have us beleive, let us proceed from negative to positive arguments, and see whether we cannot prove that the Springs are actually furnish't by subterraneous passages from the Sea, or that there is really such an inferior Circulation of waters between them, as that the Rivers never fail, nor the Sea ever grows full. That some Springs are main∣tained immediatly from the Sea, I take to be so certain, that there is scarce a maritime Towne in any nation but will readily subscribe it, their waters being generally brackish, but more or less according as they are nearer, or more remote from the Sea: Putei effossi quo magis à mari distant, eo minus sunt salsi says Cardang 1.85, and so the aforesaid Mr. James Young found it at Plimouthh 1.86, and thus I know it to be upon most of the Sea-coasts of England; thus Caesar in his distress at Alexandria, digging on the Shores found great quantities of fresh water springing into his pits in one nights timei 1.87; and the

same Mr. Young tells us, that the River at the Isle Mayo disembogue∣ing it self into the Sea, remote from the Roads at an incon∣venient place for boats, the Mariners are constrained to dig wells in a bank of sand, which though between the Ocean and the pickle of a Salt pond that lyes between this bank and the Island, yet in 24 hours they can get 3 or 4 foot in depth of clear water, which visibly trickles through the sand and cannot possibly be other than Sea water, by reason of the situation of the bank and Well; yet tasting so little of Salt, that it is drinkable, and fit to boile meat ink 1.88: From all which I think 'tis pretty manifest in the first place, that Salt water will gradually become fresh by transcolation.

66. So that it only remains to shew, that it may and does con∣vey it self to great distances not only by this means, but by mighty indroughts, which perhaps are after divided into smaller passages, that at length diminish (before they come very near the Spring head) into capillaries, and lastly being somwhat more obstructed, become the Calenders themselves; which that it really does, it is more than probable, from the sudden stoppage, and intermissions of Rivers without mention of droughts, and from the change of fresh water Rivers into Salt ones: For how should such Rivers as the great River Trent that rises in this County become dry of a sudden as it was observed to be at Nottingham (and no question was so at other places) An. 1110. temp. H. 1. from the morning till 3 in the afternoon as Knighton informs usl 1.89, had not its Springs been supplyed by such subterraneous passages, which being casually stopt by the fall of Earth, could not furnish water till such time as it could work its way again, through that fallen Earth, or find some other passage. Four years after on the sixt of the Ides of Octob. An. 1114. as Simeon Dunelmensis and John Bromton acquaint us, the River Medway in Kent for several miles together did so fail of water, that for two whole days the smallest vessels could not pass upon itm 1.90: The same Authors also tell us that the River Thames suffer'd the same lack of water at the same time, but Matthew Paris says expressly it was on the fourth of the Kalends of April half a year before, when he relates it was so dry for two days that the Sea it self also failed of reaching the shore for 12 miles forward, also for the same two daysn 1.91; the other Authors adding, that Children could wade over between the Bridg and the Tower, and that it was not above the knee under the Bridg it self.

67. And yet they give us no account of any drought that occa∣sion'd any of these; nor indeed was it likely since their durance

was so short; they must most probably therefore happen upon some stoppage of the great master Pipes that supplyed them, which lye deep in the Earth, so that they could not run again till they had forced their passage: which perhaps may be also the true natural cause of the sudden standing of the Rivers Elva, Motala, and Guls∣pang in Sweden sometimes for 2 or 3 days, which Biazius, Herbinius, and Loccenius tell us, happen'd in the years 1566. 1632o 1.92. 1638, 1639p 1.93. 1665q 1.94. For we cannot well suppose that such mighty things should happen from any stoppage of the small ductus's of rains and dews, which are many, and lye disperst at great distances, and cannot in any likelyhood be stopt thus together: whereas upon the obstruction of any of the great Canales that lye deep and come immediatly from the sea; it is easy to apprehend how the capillary Tubes proceeding from them may be all stopt together. And as the Communication between the springs and sea seems pro∣bable from the obstructions of the passages between them, so it seems to be manifest from the too much opening of them: Whence it is that sometimes fresh water springs have turned to salt ones; the sea water which supplyed them (having gotten a wide open Channel) being upon this account not sufficiently percolated, and so remaining salt: as it happen'd once in Caria as Pliny reports, where the River near the Temple of Neptune which was known be∣fore to be fresh and potable, turned all upon a sudden into salt wa∣ter* 1.95, which it could hardly have done (I think) had it been supplyed by rains.

68. But these subterraneous communications appear yet more manifest, from the many Springs in the World that ebb and flow with the Sea, such as that mentioned by Camden in the Cantred of Bichan in Caermarthinshire, upon the Hill where Careg Castle stoodr 1.96; that of Marsac in Gascony, which says Varenius exactly observes the Tides of the Garonne at Burdeauxs 1.97; and another that Gassendus mentions in a little Island at the mouth of the River Timavust 1.98: But these are inconsiderable in comparison of that on the top of a high Mountain in the Province of Connaght in Ireland which though it punctually observe the motions of the Sea, yet we are told is a Spring of fresh water; and so is that call'd Lou-Zara among the mountains of Cabret in Gallaecia in Spain, which also ebbs and flowes, though it be distant no less than 20 leagues from the Seav 1.99; To which let me add (what exceeds all the rest)

that on the top of that part of the Mount Erminius in Portugal, which lifts it self up above all the rest in the manner of a Pyramid, (which part the Inhabitants for distinction call Mount Cantari) summo in cacumine in the very top of this says Vasconcellius, there is a Lake (many paces about) that most accuratly observes the reciprocation of the Seaw 1.100. Which I suppose may be enough to ju∣stify my sentence, should I pronounce it for certain, that there are such communications between the Springs and Seas.

69. Yet for further Evidence it must not be omitted, that there are many Lakes in the World of Salt water, that have no superter∣raneous Vents into the Sea, and some of them full of Sharks and other Sea fish; as that in the Valley of Cajovani in the Province of Baeinoa in Hispaniola called Haguygabon, which says Peter Mar∣tyr is 30 miles long and 12 broad, and though it swallow no less than 24 Rivers of fresh water that flow from the Mountains, yet such mighty quantities of sea waters sometimes boyle into it (which bring Sharks and other sea fish along with them) that it is salt notwithstanding; And as it somtimes throws forth, so at other times again it ingulfes the waters with that mighty vio∣lence, that it often draws in the Fishermen, boats and all, which it never throws up again upon the shoars, as things usually are that are swallowed by the sea. He tells us also of another of this kind in the same Island, that answers the former in all respects, but in greatnessx 1.101. And Varenius informs us that there is another in the Isle Cuba two leagues round, that is also salt, and has sea fish in it, though it likewise receive fresh Rivers. He tells us also of another in Peru; another in Madagascar; and the Lake As∣phaltites, though it receive the fresh water River of Jordan, is not sweet; and may pass for anothery 1.102.

70. To which add the vast Lake or rather Caspian Sea, which though it take in all the waters of the Volga which as has been said before throws into it enough in a year to cover the whole Terraqueous globe, beside many other great Rivers; yet is salt water, has Sea fish in it, and never overflowes; No more than the Mediterranean sea it self, which in regard it never vents it self into the sea, but receives water from it at both ends, from the Atlantic by the straights of Gibraltar, and from the Euxin through the Thracic Bosphorus, as it were from two Rivers; may pass too for a Lake: and yet I say though this Sea perpetually receives those vast influxes of water, it never overflowes so much as the

low Country of Egypt. Hither too may be referred all Rivers that are swallowed by the Earth and never rise again, such as those in the Province of Caizimu in Hispaniola, where there are several, that after they have run fourscore and ten miles, fall all into a great Cave, under the root of a very high Mountainz 1.103. Now how these Lakes should come at all to be salt, or how Sea fish should be brought into them? or what should become of the mighty quantities of water received into such vast Lakes as the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas that never overflow, or into that great Cave in the Province of Caizimu? unless there are such cummuni∣cations between the Seas and such Lakes, for the conveyance of salt waters and fish, and for expence of the others, in supplying of Rivers; will be difficult I am afraid to be resolved to satis∣faction.

71. Again that there are such passages is further evident, from the many heterogeneous bodies belonging to the sea, that are many times found by diging in the bowels of the Earth, such as the shells of Sea fish, Masts, Anchors, parts of Ships &c. such were the subterraneous Cockle, Muscle, and Oyster shells found in the diging of a Well at Sr. William D'Oylies in Norfolk many foot under ground, and at considerable distance from the sea, of which the ingenious Author of Mercurius Centralis has given us an ac∣count; and such was the Mast He mentions dug out of the top of a high hill in Greenland with a pulley hanging to ita 1.104: But the most prodigious story that we have of this kind, is that of Baptista Fulgo∣sus, Ludovicus Moscardus, and Theodorus Moretus, who tell us that at the village of Bern in Switzerland An. 1460. in a Mine 50 fathoms deep, there was dug up a whole Ship, with its Anchors and bro∣ken Masts, in which were the Carcases of 40 Mariners, together with their Merchandise: which Fulgosus more particularly tells us, as a thing done in his owne time, and seen by many grave and sober men, from whom (qui in repraesentes fuere) He says He received a personal account of itb 1.105. And yet this will not seem so very strange neither, if we consider what mighty Charybdes there are in the World, whereof Andreas Moralis informes us He met with one upon the coast of Hispaniola (which no doubt was it that supplyed the Lake aforemention'd §. 69. of this Chapter) where the water was drawn with that violence into the Earth, that not∣withstanding their utmost endeavours, the Ship hardly escaped being sucked into itc 1.106.

72. But that which exceeds all the rest in the world (to omit that on the coast of Sicily, that in the River Somme in Picardy betwixt Amiens and Abbevilled 1.107, and that of Paulus Warnefriduse 1.108) is the fluxus Moschonius, the Moskoestroome or Maalstroome, between the Isles of Moskoe, Weroe, Roest and Loufouden, on the coast of Norway, now by some called the Mousk; but antiently 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by Homerf 1.109; umbilicus Maris by Paulus Diaconus; anhelitus Mundi, by Mela; Nares Mundi by Solinus; Acheron by Suidas, and Orpheus in his Argonautics; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by Plato and Aristotle; Which as Ortelius describes it, is no less than 40 miles round, and upon the Tides comeing in, swallowes in a manner the whole sea with an incredible noise, drawing in Ships, Whales, or whatever else comes within its compass, and dashing them to pieces against the sharp rocks, that there are in the descent of this dreadfull Hiatus; and then upon the Ebb throwing them out again with as prodi∣gious a violence, in so much that some have attributed the whole flux and reflux of the sea (and not without some reason) to this vast Voragog 1.110. Now though indeed it be unlikely that the Ship found at Bern should be drawn in here, and carryed underground to so great a distance, all things suck't in here being supposed to be thrown out again as Peter Clausson and the learned and ingenious Olaus Rudbeck have described it, who think too with Brinckius that there is no bottomless subterraneous passage* 1.111, though 'tis hard to think what less could receive such a prodigious Mass of watersh 1.112; Yet who knows what vast Indraughts there may be in the Medi∣terranean (if not done by that near Sicily) that may be sufficient to perform it? For that there must be such passages and immense ones too, must be taken for evident from the constant consumption of the waters that are so constantly thrown in, unless any Man can shew us which way else they are disposed off.

73. I know it hath been conjectur'd that the waters received into the Mediterranean and the Baltic (to which also the wa∣ter always sets inward through the Sound) are carryed forth a∣gain by an under current in the straights leading into those seas: and it must not be denyed but there may be such a thing as a con∣trary motion of water in the same channel: thus the Watermen at London will all tell you, that at the turning of the water in the river Thames, it will be tide of ebb by the shore for some time, when it is yet flood in the middle; and so vice versa, flood by the shore, when yet ebbing in the middle. So in the Downes

they will tell you, where the Sea runs tide and half tide (as they call it) it will be ebbing water, or flood upon the shore, three hours before it is so in the offing, 1 e. off at Sea: which it may be can∣not well be conceived without an under, as well as upper Cur∣rent. Though these home Experiments, I say, cannot well be denyed, yet I find it little more than gratis dictum, or founded at most upon conjecture or slender authority, that it is so in the Sound, or straights of Gibraltar: But admit it should; I am still at a loss which way the under current should goe that carryes away the water that comes into the Mediterranean from the Euxin Sea, unless carryed away by the same under current which carryes away that which comes in through the straights of Gibral∣tar; and if so, the under current must be at last 3 times bigger than the upper one, makeing allowance for the waters that in∣crease this vast store from the Rivers of Europe, Asia, & Afric, that flow into the Mediterranean on this side the Hellespont: which if ever well made out I shall rest satisfyed as to that particular. Yet still this will not account either for such Lakes as ebb and flow with the Sea; or that have salt water in them and sea fish, yet have no superterraneous communication with the Sea; that re∣ceive great numbers of fresh water rivers into them yet never overflow, such as the Caspian Sea, Lacus Asphaltites, Haguyga∣bon, &c. mentiond §§. 69 and 70 of this Chapter.

74. Hitherto from Philosophy and profane History having made it probable at least that few Springs come from rains, Snows, &c, and manifest that many of them (if not all that are consider∣able doe come form the Sea through subterraneous passages: Let us next add (what should put all out of doubt with a Christian Read∣er) the constant uniform concurrence, of Holy Writ; where they are expressly called the Springs of the Seai 1.113, and the fountains of the Deepk 1.114; the whole Circulation whereof is more fully declared by the Wise Man in Ecclesiastes, where He says, that all Rivers run into the Sea, yet the Sea is not full, unto the place from whence the Rivers come, thither they return againl 1.115. Which Text, if well considered, seems to include a Problem, and in the latter part, the Wise-Man's answer; The Question in the first part being, How it comes to pass, that all the Rivers runing into the Sea, yet the Sea is not full? To which He plainly answers; unto the place from whence the Rivers come, thither they return again. i. e. that there is a perpetual motion or circulation of the waters through the Globe of the Earth, and that the Sea sends as much forth again for the supply of the Rivers as it received from them; which ma∣nifestly shews us why the Sea is not full. I know that Mr Ray would

have this performed by the superior Circulation through the Clouds, and not by subterraneous passages, that is, that the Sun exhales water out of the Sea, which being poured down again from the clouds upon the Earth from part thereof falling upon and soaking into the higher grounds, He would have the Springs and Rivers arise; and that this way, whence the Rivers come, they should return againm 1.116.

75. But I can by no means allow this for a solution, since it manifestly infringes the whole Analogy of the Scriptures; for beside that we find there issued a River from the Earth, as the Vul∣gar Latin and Septuagint translate it (which in all probability was thesame that went out of Eden) before God had caused it to rain upon the Earthn 1.117, the Deep is plainly said to send forth Her Riverso 1.118; And God Himself expressly distinguishes between the waters of the Deep (whence Spring the fountains) and the waters of the Clouds, intimating their different origines and motions: For when God de∣stroyed the world by the flood, the same day were all the fountains of the great Deep broken up, and the Windows of Heaven were openedp 1.119, most manifestly hinting that the waters of the former were to move as violently upwards; as the latter, downwards: Again, when this dreadfull Judgement was overpast, the fountains of the deep, and the Windows of heaven are said to have been stoppedq 1.120: God is said also to establish the Clouds above, and to strengthen the fountains of the Deepr 1.121: Likewise Jacob blessed Joseph with the blessings of heaven above (the dewss 1.122) and with the blessings of the deep that lyeth undert 1.123, So that unless one could conceive a thing to operat before it had being, or could reconcile Contrarieties, and make things the same which God himself has distinguish't, by so many re∣peated and so different expressions, the abovementioned solution can be no way admitted.

76. Agreeable to which Dictates of the Word of God, and par∣ticularly that of Solomon (which says Ricciolus we are not to esteem as a saying of the vulgar, but an Aphorisme of the divine wisdomu 1.124) we find the Sentiments of most of the Ancients; who generally thought the Springs and Rivers to have their Origine from an Abyss or great Deep, which Homer calls

— 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉w 1.125.

the great power of the Ocean, out of which flow all the Rivers, all

Seas, all Fountains, and all deep wells; which he at another place, some other of the Poets, Plato, &c. call also Bara∣thrum and Tartarus: Only by these, 'tis plain they did not so much intend the Sea, as a vast collection of waters within the bowells of the Earth, derived from the Sea through a prodigious gulf; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, into which hiatus or gulf, says Plato, all the Rivers flow, and from which again they disperse themselves abroadx 1.126. And 'tis plain from Aristotle and Seneca that many more of the Ancients were of this opiniony 1.127, and so were most of the Authors (with little difference) mention'd § 40 of this Chapter: Which too being agreeable to holy Writ, the Deep and the Sea being distin∣ginsh't in Job, the Deep saith it is not in me, and the Sea saith it is not in mez 1.128; we cannot but subscribe, and allow it for authentic; and be induced to think, that by the word deep, the Scripture does most times intend not so much the Sea, as such a vast provision of waters in the Caverns of the Earth; and that where the foun∣tains are called the Springs of the Sea, the mediation of the Deep ought to be understood (as perhaps it also should through the whole State of the Question) & when Solomon says, unto the place whence the Rivers come, thither they return again; there ought to be understood the mediation of the Sea.

77. Which being the Summe of what I have to say for this part of the Question, let us next see whether the objections brought against it §§ 38 and 39 of this Chapter, may not more easily be solved, than the arguments for it perhaps are like to be: The first whereof, that great Inundations &ca 1.129, I judg to be so very incon∣siderable, that it seems rather to make for, what it designes to overthrow, than any thing against it: For if the great rains, and the meltings of snow and Ice, goe away in floods; thence should I rather argue that these could not be the causes of Springs, there being so little left for the Supply of them; an allowance for exha∣lations, and the nourishment of plants, being also to be deducted. And to the second I answer that for such Springs that quite fail in summer we have already granted them § 37 to depend wholy on rains; though with the Reverend and learned Dr. Stillingfleet I might justly perhaps have rather imputed this failure to the Suns exhaling by his continual heat, those moist vapors in the Earth that should constantly have supplyed these Springs, than meerly to the want of rainb 1.130; And for such as considerably abate of their

77. Which being the Summe of what I have to say for this part of the Question, let us next see whether the objections brought against it §§ 38 and 39 of this Chapter, may not more easily be solved, than the arguments for it perhaps are like to be: The first whereof, that great Inundations &ca 1.131, I judg to be so very incon∣siderable, that it seems rather to make for, what it designes to overthrow, than any thing against it: For if the great rains, and the meltings of snow and Ice, goe away in floods; thence should I rather argue that these could not be the causes of Springs, there being so little left for the Supply of them; an allowance for exha∣lations, and the nourishment of plants, being also to be deducted. And to the second I answer that for such Springs that quite fail in summer we have already granted them § 37 to depend wholy on rains; though with the Reverend and learned Dr. Stillingfleet I might justly perhaps have rather imputed this failure to the Suns exhaling by his continual heat, those moist vapors in the Earth that should constantly have supplyed these Springs, than meerly to the want of rainb 1.132; And for such as considerably abate of their

waters, though we cannot allow them intirely to be supplyed from rains, yet we are not so sanguine neither (nor does it prejudice our cause) but that we may readily yield that most Springs (if not all) may receive augmentation, though not their essence from them.

78. To the third, which infers that Springs must needs be from rains, because they are never found on the tops of Hills, which otherwise sometimes they might be, at least where the Hills exceed not the surface of the Sea in height; it may plainly be replyed, that we are well assured from very good hands, that there are Springs on the tops of high Mountains, such as the fountain head of the River Marsyas which says Q. Curtius rises e summo montis ca∣cumine, out of the very summit of the Mountainc 1.133: and Cardan ac∣quaints us that there is another does the like in the Isle of Bonicca near Hispaniolad 1.134: He tells us also that from the very top of the highest rock of the Isle of May in the Fyrth of Forth upon the coast of Fife in Scotland, there Springs a fountain of fresh water, though the whole rock or Isle be scarce two miles aboute 1.135, which might also well have been considered § 63 of this Chapter: As might too what I find amongst the remarks of the Honorable Mr. Boyle, who tra∣versing the maritim Country of Warterford in the Kingdom of Ireland, saw a Mountain from whose higher parts there ran preci∣pitously a pretty broad River, that within but two or three years, before first broke forth without any manifest cause from a great Bog that had been immemorially at the top of that Mountain, and hath supplyed the Country with a River ever since; which had it proceeded from rains or Snows, I suppose would have been there long before. Beside we are assured by Scaliger that in a field near his owne house, there issues forth a spring from the top of a Hill, than which there is no ground higher any where near: who also further adds that there is a Lake with liveing springs in it, in a plain upon the top of mount Cinis, amongst the Cottian Alps between Sa∣voy and Piedmont, than which very high and spacious Level there is no place higherf 1.136, to afford any such supply as is suggested in the Objection.

79. Which too partly might have past for a tolerable answer to the fourth Objection, which concludes in like manner (as the other from Hills) that all springs must needs be from rains, because there is none rise in plains: But the ingenious Dr. Boat expressly informes us, that in Ireland which is a place very full of springs, they frequently rise in flat and champain Countries; that sort of

fountains, which forcibly burst out of a rock, or the foot of a Moun∣tain, being rare to be found in that Kingdomg 1.137: Nor are springs rise∣ing in plains only found there, but in many other Countries, some of the greatest Rivers in the World having their Origine in plains; thus Pyramus in Cappadocea, which though Strabo calls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 navigabile flumen, yet he says it breaks out 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉h 1.138 in the middle of a plain field: And Agricola tells us that the great River Tanais rises in campestri planicie Moscoviae in the champain fields of Muscovyi 1.139: To which add Danubius the greatest River in Europe, whose fountain head says Cluverius (notwitstanding it is perennial and so capa∣cious that it takes up 26 foot in length and 18 in bredth is in hu∣mo plana at que aperta in plain ground in the village of Eschingen or Donasching; or as Jornandes will have it, in arvis Alemanicis, and not as Herodotus, Tacitus, Pliny, and Marcellinus say, at the foot of a hill or great Mountaink 1.140. To the fift it may be answered, that the reason why we find few springs in stiff Clays, is not so much that rains cannot sinke into them, as that the springs cannot force themselves from below up through them, as the ingenious Mr. Young found it at Liparil 1.141, and as was further hinted in the bed of Chalk § 64 of this Chapter. And the Sixt seems to have been suffi∣ciently enervated Ibidem, in all the Paragraphes from the 56. to the 60^th.

80. Though it may be further added that the rains, Snows, &c. are so far from supplying all the water that runs into the sea by the Rivers, that bateing what is spent in the nourishment of Plants; most, if not all the rest, is exhaled again into vapors for the supply of rains and dews; whence it is, that dry and barren Countries have but litle rain, and that the draining of bogs and fens, and cuting downe woods and groves (which cause the Air to stagnat, and so ingender moisture, and preserve it by their shade) will so alter the very temper of the Heavens, that the Country which before was cold and wet, shall become warme and temperatly dry. Thus Pliny tells us of old, that the Country about Philippi, being made dry by sluces, and artificial trenches, the whole disposition of the Air and weather was thereby altered, and the very habit of the heavens above their heads changedm 1.142. And thus we are credibly in∣formed that in our forreigne Plantations by destroying the woods, and laying all open to the sun, the rains are much abated, there being not half the rains now in Barbadoes, that there were hereto∣fore; and that the rains still diminish in Jamaica, as they extend

their Plantationsn 1.143; As I am told they have also in Ireland, and in Lincolnshire and Cambridgshire in England, upon draining the bogs and fens in those Countries.

81. And lastly to the Seventh and its several branches, viz. that those who would have the fountains supplyed from the Sea, have not satisfyed the world, first that there are such Caverns or subterraneous passages that come from it; I think I may safely say they have had full satisfaction from §§. 67.68.69.70.71 and 72 above written. And to the second, that if such Caverns should be allowed, it does not yet appear, how water should a∣scend to the tops of Mountains, &c. I answer first, that in case it should be admitted, that the Sea, can have no such elevated parts, as to be the cause of any Spring on the top of a Mountain, yet this hinders not but it may be of those in the Ʋalleys (these being as much below the surface of the sea, as the Mountains are above it) which is as much as we contend for, it having been readily granted §. 37 that the Springs on, or near the tops of hills, if weak and weeping, may proceed from rains: But indeed if such as those mention'd § 77 (especially that from the rock in the Isle of May, which cannot well be supposed to come from rains) be intended in the argument, the case is more difficult, and requires secondly a more strict and direct answer; for if all water compose it self to a Level, above which it will never ascend in a Tube or other passage, how it should thus be conveyed to the tops of Mountains, is a Que∣stion indeed worthy of Solution: which yet we find not so insu∣perable, but that it may be said,

82. First, that notwithstanding it is true, that water continuing in an equal state, and vessel, ascends not naturally above its owne Le∣vel; yet that when there is an unequal weight between the water descending and the water ascending, as there is between the salt water of the sea, and the fresh of fountains; the former descending in large passages, and the latter ascending in tapering Tubes, dimi∣nishing into capillaries; the sea water being presst too with a vast weight of Air which is always incumbent upon its spacious super∣ficies: I see no reason (these circumstances being well weighed) but that such water may well ascend above its owne Level, so far as to issue forth from the top of the highest Mountain; just as the Quicksilver ascends in the Tube of a Barometer by the pressure of the Air upon the stagnant poole of Mercury below. To which 2. let me add the great assistance afforded toward the performance of this work, by the constant heat in the lower Regions of the Earth, which warming the streames as they run along, there are continually riseing some vapors, or little particles of water which

nimbly pass through the pores of the Earth, till they come toward its superficies in the Caverns of the Mountains, which being invi∣roned with cold, these vapors are there condensed again into perfect water as in the head of a Cucurbit or Still; and as Des Car∣tes and Dr. Stllingfleet learnedly observe, being now more gross, cannot descend again through the same pores, through which they ascended when vaporso 1.144, and therefore seek out some wider passa∣ges near the surface of the Earth or Mountains, through which de∣scending obliquely, and uniting in the way with all other vapors arrested in like manner, they grow at length into a considerable body of waters, which finding a fit vent at the foot of a Mountain or any declivity, they become at length a Spring, that is perpetually maintained, by the like as perpetual Evaporations and Conden∣sations.

83. Now that there are such hypogeal heats or Estuaries in the third Region of the Earth, which that most acute Philosopher the Honorable Robert Boyle upon good grounds places lowest, and to commence at about 80 or 100 fathom deep, is evident from the testimony of Morinus and other ingenious persons cited by the same noble Author; who visiting the deep Hungarian mines, at the orifice of the Grooues found them temperatly warme, much as the Air above, but descending lower they felt it considerably cold, till they came to 80 or 100 fathom; which being past, they came by degrees to warmer regions, which still increased in heat as they went deeper and deeperp 1.145: in some of these Mines Dr. Browne also ac∣quaints us that He found it so hot at bottom, that to refresh Him∣self he was constrained to goe with his brest naked, though he had only Linnen cloathes on, for which reason too the Workmen, he says, were also forced to work nakedq 1.146: But I have met with such heats at a far lesser depth as may be seen in the Nat. Hist. of Oxford∣shirer 1.147 whence I am induced to beleive that there is a great latitude to be allowed in this matter, and that the heats lye deeper or nearer the surface, according as the principles doe, from whence they proceed; which whether from fermentations or subterraneous fires, being indifferent to my purpose, I shall not dispute; wanting time indeed, as perhaps the Reader may patience, to attend the decision of so nice a point.

84. Moreover 3. there may be subjoyned another social cause that may contribute not a little to the elevating water above its owne Level, I meane the vast quantities of Sand, Gravel &c. through which the Sea water is percolated in the Earth, in which 'tis plain

from the Experiment of Magnanus, that water will ascend above its own Levels 1.148: wherein the Reader may satisfye Himself, if he take a glass tube of an inch, or ½ inch bore or thereabout, and fill it with sand, being first stopt at bottom with a clout, and set it in a bason of water; He shall presently see the water gradually ascend in the Sand, at least a foot higher than its superficies in the Bason, the grains of Sand wetting one another by approximation, as the threds in a filtre; which I have found true upon frequent Experiment of it: But then indeed, as the forecited French Author objects, though I made an orifice 4 or 5 inches above the water in the Tube, and affixt a slender pipe to it, into which I also put a filtre already wet, yet I could not by these, or any other means I could think of, pro∣cure the water to make any signes of droping fortht 1.149; though I doe not doubt but it would, could the Experiment be so ordered as that the water might ascend in vapor, and be condensed again above, so as not to be capable of returning, as the process was shewn a∣bove, to be performed in the Earth. Not to mention that the wa∣ter may ascend of it self in the ductus's of the Earth when they be∣come capillary without further help, as we see it naturally does in capillarie Tubes* 1.150; or like the sap in trees, and descend again, so as to flow forth, as in the wounded Birch.

85. But 4. waveing all that ha's hitherto been said, if the Seas at some places be higher than at others; or at some places and times, be violently throwne up as high as any Mountains that have Springs upon them, there will be no need of makeing use of any of the former allegations, of the unequal weight of the Sea water, pressure of the Air, hypogeal heats &c. for either of these being pro∣ved, the Axiom in Hydrostaticks [that water ascends not above its owne Level] needs not at all be infringed, to convey water to the top of the highest Mountain, for if one Sea be not high enough to per∣forme the feat, another may: Now that Seas at some places are higher than at others, seems not only probable from what was al∣leged § 20. of this Chapter to prove our Western, higher than our Eastern Sea; but from the judgment of many ancient Mathemati∣cians and Philosophers, such as the Grecian Architects, who affirm∣ing, as Eratosthenes relates it in Strabo, the Corinthian Sinus, to be higher than that [the Saronic] at Cenchreae, diverted Deme∣trius Poliorcetes from cutting the Corinthian Isthmusu 1.151; Which very consideration also, that the Ionian was higher than the Aegean Sea, caused Julius Caesar, C. Caligula, and Nero, who

all attempted the same thing, to desist in like manner, least the City Aegina should thereby have been drownedw 1.152.

86. It was upon this account too that Sesostres King of Egypt, Darius the Persian, Ptolomaeus; and since them, the Sultans of Egypt, and the Emperors of Turky, each in their respective raignes, proceeded not in their cuting the Arabian Isthmus between the red Sea, and the Mediterranean, or Nile; for that the red Sea be∣ing found by the Egyptian Mathematicians, to be three cubits higher than the land of Egypt, they feared an irrecoverable inundation over that Countryx 1.153. Nor have the Ancients alone been of this opinion; for Cabaeus informes us that 'tis evident even to sight, that the Ligustic Sea or Mar di Genova, is much higher than the Adria∣tic, to any body that stands on the mount la Bocchetta, where it is plain it seems, that the Ligustic Sea is level with a place called Serraval, whence there continues a descent to Tortona, thence lower to Pavia, and thence yet lower to Venicey 1.154. and Ricciolus tells us that the Fathers of the Society of Jesus informed Him, that stan∣ding upon the Mountains of the Isthmus of Panama, where they could see both the Northern and Southern Seas of America; it was plain to them that the former near Nombre de Dios, was much higher than the latter near Panamaz 1.155.

87. The reason of all which is, that the Bottoms of some Seas are higher than others, which is so far from a new observation, that it was taken notice of as long ago as Aristotle, who not only names several Seas that are higher than one another (though I think Him out in his Method) but expressly asserts the most waters to come from the North, because the Earth is highest there of any part of the Worlda 1.156: For which very reason too, both Fromondus and Van Hel∣mont owne the Tides to run swifter from North to South, than any other way, etiam adverso vento, though the Wind be against themb 1.157; Nay so peremptory is Van Helmont in this point, that though He allowes the Corpus Terraqueum to be round from East to West, yet He scruples not upon this account to deny it to be so from North to South, and proves it rather to be Parabolical, from the Observa∣tions of such as have sayled far North, who affirmed to Him, that they saw the Sun there a whole Month sooner than they should have done, had this united body of Earth and Sea been perfectly round; which so much exceeding the effect of a Crepusculum, He seems justly to ascribe it to the excessive height of the Northern Regions and Seas above the more Southern, instancing particularly in the

Mediterranean, and Countries about it, which He thinks to be the lowest of anyc 1.158: And perhaps indeed they may be so, the Northern Seas flowing into the Atlantic, and the Atlantic into the Mediter∣ranean, as the Volga (if the Caspian have any Subterraneous passage into the Euxine Sea) Danubius, Tanais, and Boristhenes also doe, which runing through vast tracts of Land from the North, and descending all the way, most evidently demonstrate it a much lower place than the Northern Countries are, whose Seas too being so high, may well furnish the more Southern highest Mountains with Springs enough.

88. But admitting the sublunary world to be Globular, yet if its Center of Gravity be never so little removed from the Center of Magnitude, by reason of the lightness of the water on one side the Globe, in comparison of the much more weight of the Earth on the other; the water on that side will so much exceed the highest Mountain on the other, in altitude; i. e. will be so much further distant from the center of gravity than the top of any mountain can be, that I cannot see what should hinder but the water should ascend naturally (waveing all other helps) to the top of the most elevated Mountain in the World, its level being higher, i. e. more re∣mote from the Center of gravity, than the top of any Mountain. Now if we seriously consider the terraqueous globe, we shall indeed find such an unequal distribution of Sea and land, that the Center of its gravity must needs be removed from the Center of Magnitude at least as much (though I might say more) as between the surface of Mare del Zur or the Pacific Sea, and the bottom of it; that sea, if we begin on the coast of China at the 150 degree of Longitude and number to the 260^th, containing very near one third part of the Globe, and the Earth the other two: so that admitting that there are but as many depths or inequalities at the bottom of this sea, as there are Mountains on the Earth opposite to it, it may ea∣sily be apprehended how it may send water to the tops of any of those Mountains.

89. Nor can it be objected that if the Center of gravity were thus removed from the center of Magnitude, the Pacific sea (to bring them together by an equal libration) must necessarily overflow a great part of Asia and America: for the shoars of all seas being dry sand, beach, or rocks, and somwhat higher than the rim or selvege, though lower than the gibbous bulk of its waters further off in the Main, (not to use herein the aid of the Omnipotent power of God, who ha's set a bound to the waters that they turne not again to cover

the Earthd 1.159, and has said to the sea, hither shalt thou come and no furthere 1.160) not I say to make use of this supernatural restraint, the shoars being dry, and a little elevated above the rim of the sea, may contain it (without violence offerd to nature) notwithstanding its protuberance in alto mari, just as water or other liquor will be con∣tained within the dry brims of a glass, though it be as much eleva∣ted above it, or perhaps in proportion more, than the sea need be above its shoars, to send water to the top of the highest Mountains.

90. And if the Sea considered in its quiet state (as it has been hitherto) may doe this, much more sure may it, in its disturb'd con∣dition; when the waters of it are gather'd together in a heapf 1.161, when God works his wonders in the deep, when He raiseth the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves thereof, so that they mount up to Heaven, and goe downe again to the depthsg 1.162; as the profane as well as inspired Poet, has also exprest it, in the midst of his troubles

Me miserum quanti montes volvuntur aquarum! Jamjam tacturos sidera summa putes. Quantae diducto subsidunt aequore valles! Jamjam tacturas tartara nigra putesh 1.163.

in which condition, it is very frequently in the gulfe of Lione, and the gulf de las Yeguas between Spain and the Canaries, in the Bay of Biscay, the Japan and China Seas, and near the cape of Good Hopei 1.164, which alone might supply water enough for the Springs on the tops of Mountains, they being but few, at least till there happen new stormes, though possibly they may have them interchangeably, which solves the difficulty better. But the Sea indeed is never at rest, haveing always its flux and reflux; and at some places boyl∣ing up, by the ascent of hot subterraneous exhalations, like a seeth∣ing pot: by one, more, or all which ways together, or else by some other yet unthought of (useing more of them, or less, ac∣cording to the condition of the place) the Sea conveys its waters to the tops of Mountains.

91. For that Salt water some way or other does ascend in the Earth above its owne Level, I am perfectly convinced from some wells that I am assured we have in England near the sea side, which being situat on so elevated ground that their bottoms lye not near so deep as the surface of the sea, yet by some means or other are constantly supplyed with brackish water; a thing that could hard∣ly be, unless the salt water did ascend above its Level: Which being matter of fact is not to be disputed, though we cannot infal∣libly

assigne the Method whereby it is done. I say is not to be dis∣puted, at least not by such Adversaries, as allow that the sea water exhaled by the sun, is really separated not only from its fixt Salt, but volatile too, before it descends again in rain, meerly because matter of fact, though they can no more tell how nature performs it in the Air, than we can, how she does it in the Earth. Which may pass for an answer to the third branch of the Seventh Argu∣ment, which equally concludes against our Adversaries, as us; for if it be done in the Air by a celestial distillation alone, though it cannot by an artificial; much more should I think it might, by a subterraneous percolation and evaporation too; it being absurd to think, says Aristotle, and the learned Lydiat, that the same thing should not as well be performed under ground as above it, by the same principles [the power of heatk 1.165] whereof if they can give us no tolerable account, there is little reason they should expect it from us; though 'tis easy to imagin how it must needs be done, if one reflect on the many thousands of percolations and evaporations that water may receive in its passage through a mass of Earth of four or five, or perhaps of six or seven thousand miles thick.

92. And to the fourth branch of the same Argument, which requires satisfaction, why the passages through which these percola∣tions have been made from the beginning of the world, are not long since stopt up? it may briefly be answered that in all probability they are so far from being stopt, that 'tis next to certainty that they dayly grow wider; it being found by sad experience amongst Seamen, who when they want fresh water, sometimes percolate salt water through a Tub of Sand or earth, that though at first the water comes tolerably fresh, yet upon repeated transcolations, the passa∣ges grow so enlarged, that at last it comes forth again but little alter'd: Whence we cannot but conclude these passages in the Sea (where the great Voragines are) must needs by this time be so ve∣ry large, that they are altogether unlikely to be any way stopt: Yet granting they should; there is no salt, and but little Earth of so close a texture, but it will admit of percolation: Some few Clays in∣deed there are, and some other Earths perhaps there may be, whose parts are so fast and united that nothing will pass through them, nor is there any necessity it should, for few of these indraughts here and there intersperst, will (and I suppose doe) serve for this pur∣pose; whence it is that Springs, as the learned Dr. Stillingfleet very well observes, are not indifferently every where to be found, but only in the paticular channels wherein they are included like the blood in an Animal, which if prick't in some parts sends forth blood immediatly, but if the incision happen between the sinews, or in the

more callous parts, the blood either comes not at all, or not till it be made very deepl 1.166.

93. Thus if you dig in some places incredibly deep, you shall hardly meet with water, whereas at another, though but a coyts cast distant, you shall find it plentifully, and near the day too; whereof I have met with several considerable instances in this and other Countries; particularly that at Barlaston near New castle under Lyme is very remarkable, where in the South Chancell of the Church belonging to the worthy Mr. John Bagnal, there rises a Spring whenever they have occasion to dig a grave (notwithstanding it is always shelter'd from rains) that quickly fills it with wa∣ter; whereas if they dig in any other part of the Church or Church∣yard round about it, they find the Earth as dry as in most other places; whereof the same Mr. Bagnal gave me a very cogent though uncomfortable Testimony from his owne Well hard by, which though 22 yards deep, had scarce any water in it in winter, much less in Summer. Thus at Tetnall also in Staffordshire upon the Hill above the Church, the Springs rise within 3 yards of the surface, whereas the Wells near the Church 20 yards below, are all betwixt 20 and 30 yards deep; so that the Springs on the Hill, lye at least 40 yards higher than those in the Vale, though they are not di∣stant above 200 yards. So at Longdon as well within the Church as Churchyard, though upon higher ground, the Springs lye so near, that many times the Coffins are cover'd with water, when they put them in their Graves; whereas at the Parsonage House that stands on a much lower ground, and but just without the Church∣yard wall, the well is 30 yards deep at least, and sometimes wants water. And in the Church and Churchyard of St. Michael at Lich∣field, is found the same thing, though the Church stand on the ve∣ry summit of a Hill (the ground falling every way from it) and that no small one neither.

94. But the most eminent Instance of this kind, that ever I met with in all my Travells, is at Blounts Court in the Parish of Rotherfield Pypard in the County of Oxon: where though they dug a Well on one side of the House (as I received the account from that great Encourager of all ingenious designes, the Worshipfull Tho. Stonor of Stonor EsqProprietor of the Place) above 60 yards deep, yet could procure no water, it remaining a dry well to this day, 48 yards deep, 12 yards and upwards being since fill'd up with Timber and other Rubbish thrown into it; whereupon attempting another but on the other side the House, 43 yards di∣stant, upon higher ground, they found so plentifull a spring at 15 foot deep, that it sometimes stands (as the forecited worthy Gent.

lately sent me word) 12 foot deep in water, though situat in a high, fast, & stony Country. Nor is the water of springs only conveyed in particular Channels, but as the blood in the veins of Animals also ascends in them, whereof we have a very remarkable inflance at Tixall in this County, where the Spring near the Church, which serves the Towne whith water, has been sometimes exsiccated, (as I was infor∣med by the learned and observing Gent. Walter Chetwynd of Ingestre Esq) when the right Honorable Walter Lord Aston has had occasion to cleanse some of the ditches in his grounds below, be∣twixt the River and the Towne, the water being thereby intercepted in the way, which could by no means be, unless the water did as∣cend thence, in such ductus's or channels up to the Towne.

95. Lastly to the fift, which requires of us, how it comes to pass that since we allow that the whole mass of Sea water may perhaps have annually past through the body of the Earth, that the Sea is not long since become fresh? it is obvious to reply, that upon the many percolations of the Sea water through the sands and other Earths in the bottom of the Sea, the salt and grosser parts of it must needs in great measure be left immediatly there; by which, together with the many and great rocks of natural Salt, that are here and there latent in the Sea, as well as land, and perpetually washt by its fluxes and refluxes; all the waters poured into the Sea by the Rivers, are sated again with Salt as fast as they arrive: by the immense quantities of Salt, I say, left in the bottom of the Sea, which cannot be dissolved by the Sea water, because sufficiently impregnated with it already, but may by the freshes. Now that there is indeed such a vast quantity of Salt more in the bottom of the Sea than near the surface, is more than probable, from the much greater coldness of the Sea water at the bottom (unless in some few places where there are hot Springs or subterrestrial Exhalations) than near the top, as is universally verifyed by all Ʋrinators that have had occasion to descend thither to recover goods lost by Shipwrack, or to fish for pearl or Corall; the cold still increasing with the depthm 1.167; which I take as certainly to proceed from the greater quantity of Salt, as that by the help of it, every Rustic can shew the Experiment, of freezing a pot by the fire: Nor is this only found true in the lower region of the Sea, but also in our inland Salt-works, where the water is also coldest at the bottom of the pits, insomuch that when the Bri∣ners goe to cleanse them, they cannot abide in them above half an hour, though for all that time, they drink nothing but strong watersn 1.168.

96. Beside the great quantities of Salt left at the bottom of the Sea by means of percolations, it is as certain that there are also

vast rocks of natural Salt which contribute not a little to the Salt∣ness of the Sea, and will perpetually doe so, whatever quantities of freshes may be poured into it to the end of the World: Thus the Rivers Ochus, and Oxus, as Pliny tells us, are made Salt, by great pieces or fragments of rock Salt that fall into them from the adjoyn∣ing mountainso 1.169: and all our inland brines no question are thus made by the passage of waters through inexhaustible rocks of mine∣ral Salt, which doubtless are as frequent in the Sea, as Land; whereof the Isle Ormus is so eminent an Example that I need add no more, it being nothing else (as Du Hamel informes us) but a rock of white Saltp 1.170, a few such instances being sufficient for the pur∣pose, notwithstanding the boundless extent of the Sea, especi∣cially if we consider that the Sea water is not not so salt as some imagin; 5 or 6 gallons of it not yelding so much Salt, as one of Che∣shire brine. And thus I have as breifly as so difficult a point would bear, given the grounds of my present opinion concerning the Origine of Springs, which as I have not assumed meerly out of a spirit of contradiction to other worthy Authors, but upon ma∣ture deliberation; So I shall always be as ready, when the reasons I have brought be solidly answer'd, and more cogent ones urged to the contrary, retract it again: For I would have the Reader take notice that I write nothing dogmatically in any part of this Work; but cum animo revocandi whenever I shall be better instructed, ei∣ther by my owne, or the more accurate Observations of Others.

97. Hitherto having treated of the waters of this County, only as they have some way or other related to the matters of health, or origine of Springs: let us next consider the Rivers of this County, and then the fountains, that have any thing otherwise unusuall atten∣ding them. Amongst the former whereof, the Rivers Manyfold, and Hans alias Hamps (two branches of the Dove) have this remark∣able in them, that they are not only (like the Nile in Aethiopia, Tigris in Armeniaq 1.171, Ganges in Indiar 1.172, the Rhine above Bon in Ger∣many, the Danow in the upper Pannonia, the Po in Italy, Anas in Spains 1.173, and divers others mention'd by Senecat 1.174, Agricola, and Pictoriusu 1.175) swallowed up, and run under ground for about 3 miles, but have also these other peculiarities: 1. That each of them have, not one, but many Inlets; the first that receives the Many∣fold being near Wetton Mill, and the first that swallows Hamps a little below the water Houses, on the River side betwixt Waterfall and Cauldon; both of them, when they swell so high that the first will not receive them, having divers others below at no great dis∣tances

that usually doe it all the Summer. 2. That though for the most part they run under ground all the Summer, yet they doe not so in Winter; for when their waters are so high, that all the Inlets will not suffice to swallow them, then they have Channels (which lye dry all the Summer) wherein like other Rivers they are conveyed above ground meeting near Beeston Torr, about ½ a Mile North of Throwley, and so runing on to Ilam, joyning the Dove a little be∣low, North of Blore Park. And 3. though in Summer they fall in∣to the ground at 2 miles distance, yet as above in Winter, so below in Summer, they joyne again somewhere under the great Hills through which they pass; for we find but one exit for them both, which is a little below Mr. Ports House near Ilam Church; unless we shall rather say, that either, or both of them, never come forth again at all, and that the Spring at Ilam may have no dependance on them; which may be easily tryed, were Feathers thrown into the water at the Indraught of one, and Chaff (or some other agree∣able materialls) at the other: But having no opportunity of mak∣ing the Experiment my self, I recommend it to the ingenious Charles Cotton Esq and the worthy Mr. Port, next neighbours to them, who joyntly may try it with little trouble.

98. Beside, there is a Rivulet comeing from West of Broughton Chappel, and runing by Fair-oak, that two meddows below the houses, falls into the ground within Blore Park, belonging to the right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, which but two Med∣dows beyond, rises again under a slat stone before it comes to Blore Pipe: This 'tis true is but inconsiderable, it being but a small Rindle, and runing underground but a little way, and not very deep; yet the greatest flood (as I was told) never causing it to run above ground, as Hamps and Manyfold doe, I thought it worth menti∣oning. To which let me add some other such waters, which though not constant, yet in all Landfloods run violently from the Hills, and are received below into rocky subterraneous passages, whereof there are two under Cauldon Low, but whither they con∣vey the water no man knows; and there is another such Indraught at the foot of Ribden that also swallows the Land floods, which 'tis believed come out again at Criftage, but not certain; however it be, the water that comes from Criftage, certainly falls in under a rock at the foot of Reeden, and what becomes of it after, no man knowes: of which no more, but that Ribden, Reeden &c. under which these Cryptae lye, are Hills between Ramsor and Pantons in the Dale. Nor have I more to add concerning Rivers or Rivulets but that the Manyfold is fuller of windeings (whence doubtless it has its name) than Maeander it self, if its turnings are no where thicker than about Palatsha, whereof the learned and ingenious

Sr. Geo. Wheler ha's given us a draughtw 1.176; and that there are two branches of the Trent and Dane, that though they run quite contrary ways yet have their Origine from the same Spring in New poole belonging to the right worshipfull Sr. John Bowyer Baronet, one of the most chearfull Encouragers of this work, it emptying it self when full at both ends, and supplying in part both those Rivers. Which brings me next

99. To the Springs that have any thing peculiar belonging to them, whereof there is one at Park-hall in the parish of Caverswall, belonging to the Worshipfull and most obligeing Gent. William Parker Esq which not only sends so full and uninterrupted a stream, that it drives a Mill within less than a bows shoot, but also makes such a noise in its Exit, that it may be heard at some distance without any difficulty; these Springs the Germans call Bolderbourns, whereof because I have given an account already in the Hist. of Oxfordshirex 1.177 with the reason of the noise, I forbear it here. And proceed to another Spring of a more unusual kind, which riseing very plentifully from under a rock in the ground of Mr. Tho. Wood between over and nether Tene, on the West side of the River, and called the Well in the Wall, produces all the year round, except in July and August (as I was assured by the Proprietor of it) small bones of different sorts and sizes, most of them like the bones (as the people will have it) of young Sparrows or very young Chicken, some of them like pinneon bones, others like thigh bones near two inches long, but of these but few; most of them being but an inch, or inch and halfe long; some few indeed there are like rib bones, but these also very rare: they break like bone, being all of them (except those like ribs) hollow, and seeming to have had marrow in them; and are sometimes so plentifull (about the fall of the leaf) that as Mr. Wood seriously told me, He had often seen near half a peck of them at a time.

100. Mr. Camden in his Britannia tells us of just such another Well near Richards Castle in the County of Hereford, which is al∣ways full, says He, of litle fishes bones; or as some rather think, of small frog bones, though they be from time to time drawn ••••••te out of ity 1.178, whence it has justly merited the name of Bone-well, as ours might as well have done, from the multitude of such bones most times found in it. What bones they should be, whether of frogs or other Animals I could not indeed presently determin, because the Bones of the other parts, of the head, back &c. were here wanting, nor could I imagin the reason of it, nor what should have become of them; till comeing in Aug. An. 1681. to the Worshipfull Leveson

Gower's at Trentham Esq I found several Frogs, in the Fountain in the Garden lying dead at the bottom of the Bason, and the fleshy parts of most of them so consumed that there was nothing left but the Skeletons of them; the Cartilaginious parts of the head &c. in some of them yet remaining, but in others quite consumed; which comparing with the bones, I had from Tene, I not only found them to be frogs bones, but also quickly apprehended the whole process of Nature in the manage of the business, viz. that Frogs in July and Aug. being in a declining condition, doe creep into such Ca∣verns of rocks, as whence this Spring comes, and are there kill'd by the excessive coldness of the water; and not only their fleshy but gristley parts too, there consumed as soon at least as the liga∣ments that hold the leg and rib bones together, which are the only parts solid enough to resist the dissolving power of the water: Whence it is that we meet only with these at the mouth of the Spring, and no others, brought out by the violence of the water, and in the most plentifull manner about the fall of the leaf, quickly after the death and dissolution of these Animals; which being taken away, there come forth gradually fewer every Month all the year after, the whole stock being usually spent about 2 Months before the return of the year, which is the occasion that there are none, or very few, to be found there in the Months of Iuly and August.

101. Another sort of Springs I have met with in this County, that have this yet more surprizing Quality with them; that though they are all cold, yet never will freez in the hardest weather; such is the Spring that feeds the Millpool at Overholm near Leek, and the Spring which serves the Mill at Tittensor, whence it is that the Mills of both those places, never fail of goeing in the seve∣rest frosts: There are Springs also about Hynts that doe not freez, nor will the standing pooles that have these Springs in them: Thus Clayers pool in the Corner of the Park at Enfield never freezes in the hardest winter, being fed by a Spring (comeing out of a spout) called Shadwell, under which though cold (as I was seriously in∣form'd by a very worthy person) if you set a vessel of water frozen, it will certainly thaw it. Of this sort both Cardan and Varenius inform us, there is not only a River but a great Lake too in Scotland, that have this strange quality. In Scotia Lacus est & fluvius Nessa, qui calidus quidem non est, nunquam tamen frigore congelaturz 1.179; and the waters of the Chalybeat Spring I mention in my Hist: of Oxfordshire that did not freez in the hard winter An. 1676 (when all the Rivers were frozen up) but continued open and smoking all the time, was as cold notwithstanding as any

water whatever. Now what these waters should have in them, that should thus prevent freezing 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, none but the industrious shall ever find. Cardan I know at∣tributes the not freezing of the River and Lake Nessa, to the great abundance of bitumen (which He says is hotter than salt) found in those waters; which if true, perhaps indeed may solve the diffi∣culty in that instance, for Experience teaches us that no oleagenous substances will easily freez, and some of them nevera 1.180:

102. But I doe not remember I must confess that any of the Staffordshire or Oxfordshire waters seemed to carry with them any signe of a Bitumen, or any other oily substance: Much rather there∣fore should I think them accompanied with some fine insensible fumes of Spirit of Niter or other Salt, prepared by a more subtile Chymistry in the bowells of the Earth, that might doe this feat; for we find that the Spirits of Niter and Salt will neither of them freezb 1.181; and that their fumes are not hotc 1.182. Or else that their freezing is p••••••••ented by some unknown fermentation (made by some cer∣••••••n salts) which may produce coldness, as others doe heat: For that there are cold fermentations as well as hot, is evident from a mixture of the Honorable Robert Boyle's, that emitted steams plen∣tifully enough; of whose being rather of a cold than hot nature, He says there was this (though he might have said more than) probabi∣lity, that the mixture whence they ascended, even whilst its com∣ponent ingredients were briskly acting on one another, was not on∣ly sensibly, but considerably cold. Which too has been made most evident by my worthy Friend Dr. Fred. Slare, by mixing a volatile Salt of human blood, and Spirit of Verdigrease; which though they make so high an ebullition, that they take up much more room than before, and will not be contain'd in shallow vessels, yet produce a cold sensible to the touch, and most conspicuous on the weather glassd 1.183. And as these will not freez by reason of a cold fermentation there may be in them, so there are others that will not upon ac∣count of a hot one; whence it is that our Bathes are always open, for that' tis most probable they are all heated by fermentations, I think is sufficiently evinced by Monsieur de Rochas and the inge∣nious du Hamele 1.184: But of these there are none here very conside∣rable; a little Spring there is indeed near Beresford house (which though dry in the Summer) in the winter time flowes forth brisk∣ly, is repid, and in the Extremity of frost and Snow smoaks like a Pot, upon which account I suppose' tis, they call it Warm-wall. And I was told of another at Hynts by the Worshipfull Matthew

Floyer Esq that in the Winter Season was sensibly Warme. But these being so mean and inconsiderable in their kind, that 'tis not worth while to give an account here what salts or other Minerals they be, that most likely may cause fermentations sufficient to pro∣duce such heats as we find in some waters, I therefore pass them by (though I think I know them pretty well) and proceed next

103. To the salts that make the salt-springs in divers parts of this County,; Amongst which the most considerable are those at the Brine-pits in the parish of Weston, belonging to the right Honorable Robert Lord Ferrers Baron of Chartley not far distant; which an∣cient seat of the Ferrers's of Chartley, his Lordships great and no∣ble Ancestors, is here justly placed Tab. 5. as a thankfull remem∣brance of his Lordships munificence in promoting this work. The Salt Springs I say that are most worthy notice, are those of the Brine-pits, made so no doubt by a Mineral Salt there is, that their waters pass through not long before their Exit: Which though not very strong (by reason of the poverty or hardness of the glebe of salt, or its somwhat too great a distance from the Pits; so that either the water cannot easily dissolve it, or if it doe, its weakned again by the way) yet they make as good white salt for all uses per∣haps as any is in England, though not to so great advantage in∣deed as in Worcestershire and Cheshire; where at Ʋpwich and Mid∣dlewich the brine is so strong, that they yield a full fourth part of Salt; and at Northwich and Namptwich a sixthf 1.185; whereas here in Staffordshire it affords but a ninth; three Hogsheads of brine (without giving it the advantage of the brine left in the bottom of a former Pan, which is commonly done to make it work the bet∣ter) scarce yielding a strike of salt; but with the help of that brine at first, and five times filling the Pan, they usually procure nine strike, i. e. 15 Hogsheads of brine, makes nine strike of salt, which is 16 hours in evaporating away.

104. The Pit from whence they pump this brine, is nine yards deep, and two square, that which comes from the bottom being much the stronger both in Saltness and stink, and of a clearer complexion; that on the top having contracted a yellowishness, I suppose from the freshes that now and then break into it notwith∣standing all care: And the Pans wherein they boyle it are three in number, made of forged Iron, 2 yards ¾ long, and, 1 yard ¾ broad, and their fuel Pit-coale; whereof when the Pans are all kept go∣ing, they spend two Tuns to a drawing. Dureing the boyling of the brine the salt is cleared from sand, of which there is some (at least will be after it has exhaled for some time) in all brines what∣ever; which is thrown off (the fire acting most violently upon

the middle of the Pan) towards the Corners of it, where are placed small square Iron pans to receive it, this brine which is evaporat∣ing so long, yielding ordinarily from the five fillings, 10. Pans of Sand, each of them weighing ten pounds, i. e. in all 100 pounds of sand; which is above one fourth of as much sand as salt, allowing a bushel of salt to weigh about 50 pounds. About 3 hours be∣fore the Evaporation is finish't, i. e. before they begin to draw (at the fift filling) they clarify the brine with the white of one Egg, which being broken into a bucket, and mixt both with cold, and some of the hot brine; by the motion of the hand is brought into a Lather, and gently sprinkled all over the Pan; Where upon there presently appears a scum, that thickens by degrees as the impuri∣ties rise, which thus catch't and detained, I suppose by the visco∣sity of the white of the Egg; before the brine boiles again, is drawn over the side of the Pan with a thin oblong square board, fixt to a staff or handle, call'd a Loot or Lute.

105. After the scum is taken off, they boile it again gently till it begin to Corne, which that they may have done according to de∣sire, if they intend a large Corne, and have but little time to let it corne by a gentle fire of it self, they put into it about the quantity of a quart of the strongest and stalest Ale they can get, which cornes it greater or smaller according to the degree of its staleness: Or if they would have it finer than it usually cornes of it self, they either draw it with a quick fire, which will break the cornes small, or sprinkle the surface of the brine with fine wheat floore, which will make the salt almost as sine as the sand which comes from it; which being both the finest and whitest that I ever saw any, it gives me reason to suspect that it may be of admirable use in the makeing of glass. But (to return again to the matter in hand) during the time of its corning they generally slacken their fire, supplying the furnace now, rather with the Sinder of the Coale (which is the smaller sort of it fallen into the Ashes and gotten from them with a Seive) than the coal it self; this giving the brine a gentle heat without flame, and corning it better than a forcible fire, which (as I said above) breaks it small: Quickly after it has spent some time in corning, they begin to draw, ie, to take the corned salt from the rest of the brine with their Loot or Lute, which they put into wicker baskets they call Barrows, made in a Conical form, and set the bottom upwards, each containing a bushell; through these being set in the Leach-troughs, the salt drains it self dry in 3 hours time, which draining they call their Leach-brine, and choicely pre∣serve it here to be boiled again, it being stronger brine than any in the Pit.

106. This draught of the corned Salt continues here for about

six houres, and is performed gradually, the Salt-workers getting first about two bushells or Barrows full, then by a gentle fire they corne it again, in half an hour, for the three first pair of Barrows, but afterwards not under an hour, the brine being then thinner, and the Pan cooler: They doe not evaporate all the brine out of the Pan, but leave some in the bottom towards the next filling; which together with the addition of the Leach brine, heightens the weak liquor, and much advances and facilitates the follow∣ing operation. After the Barrows are fully drained, they are remo∣ved into the hot-house, behind the Saltern to dry, and are set over the brick conveyance of the flame from under the Pans to the tun∣nel of the Chimney (which passage for that purpose is made about six or seven yards long) where after they have continued for 24 hours, the Salt will become so dry, that it is fit for carriage, or publick sale.

107. And this is the tedious process of making of Salt in this County, which though much more chargeable than in Worcestershire or Cheshire, where they spend not ordinarily above half the time or fire (nor need they above a quarter) of what the great quantity of brine they must use here, necessarily requires for its evaporation; yet its being always clarifyed with Eggs, and not with bullocks blood, as it is most commonly in Cheshire, which gives the Salt an ill colour and savour; and its being better cleared from Sand by long boiling than either Cheshire or Worcestershire Salts are; have given it such a reputation amongst considering Men, that the Ʋndertaker is incouraged still to prosecute the work: Which perhaps might be improved to better advantage, were the brine either ripen'd on Clay before boyling, or laved on hovels cover'd with Mats, made of reeds straw or flaggs, as they serve a weak brine they have at Halle in Saxony; which by being ventilated in the Air, and percolated through the Mats, as we are assured by the Honorable Robert Boyle Esqg 1.186 is so beneficially exhaled and enrich't by the Sun, that were ours served so, no doubt a great part of the Expence of coales (if not time) might be saved.

108. Beside the salt above mention'd, they have another sort, that dureing the Operation grows to the bottoms of the Pans, which they are forced to scale thence with an instrument call'd a picker: This at the Seals at Droyt-witch they term Clod-salt, and is there the strongest salt of all, being used to salt Bacon and Neats tongues, which it makes redder that any other salt, and renders the fat of Swine close and firm, though fed with Mast: The Women also put it in their Runnet pots, it makeing (as they say) the best Cheese: And upon the scales of it laid upon the coales, the Brine-men

and others will broil their meath 1.187 But I could not find it put to any of these uses at this Staffordshire work, nay so insignificant was it here, that they had no name for it, nor told they me any thing concerning it, but that once in three weeks or thereabout they scaled it off their Pans; and indeed it seems here to deserve little more, for whatever it may be in Worcestershire, upon examination I found it here very weak, and to consist much more of sand than salt, which doubtless is the cause that it will not dissolve in fresh water, though it ha's salt in it.

109. And thus I had done with the Brine pits of this County, but that upon a hint given me by the worthy Mr Collins in his accurate discourse of Salt and Fishery, that the great quantities of sand which we find in all brines, is not in the brine before it is boiled, but produ∣ced by a sort of petrification dureing the Evaporationi 1.188, I thought not fit to pass by so odd a Phaenomenon, but to examin whether this (as He says all brines may) could be strained through a most pure fine Holland of eight foldings, and yet no symptoms of any sand left behind in the Filtre: Wherein (being now at a great distance my self) I was bold to request the most ready assistance of that carefull Observer the Learned Walter Chetwind of Ingestre Esq who toge∣ther with his ingenious Chaplin Mr. Charles King M. A. and Stu∣dent of Ch. Ch. were so strict and nice in makeing the Experiment that to the eight folds of fine Holland, they added as many more of fine Cambrick, through which though they strained a whole bottle full of brine, yet found nothing left in this very close Colander, but a little black dust; which they imputed only to the foulness of the water, it appearing nothing like sand, either to the touch, or in the Microscope.

110. Yet notwithstanding this Experiment, upon further tryal, they had good grounds given them strongly to suspect, that the sand must needs be in the brine before, and not produced in the boiling; For having carefully observed it with an excellent Micro∣scope before they strained it, though they mist of the sand, yet they found (what they expected not) a great multitude of very minute Animals (much smaller than those that are in pepper water) swim∣ing about in it, and withall a very many small transparent plates, some of them a little bigger, and some less than the insects, and all of them of a rectangular oblong figure: Yet both these and the Animalcules so very small, that they all pa'st through the Holland and Cambrick though of 16 folds. For viewing the brine again after it was strane d, they found them swiming as thick in it then, as before: But at this they did not wonder, because the pores of the Holland did appear in the Microscope (though it was extreamly fine) to be

at least twenty times greater than either the Animalcules or plates; yet these they judged to be the component particles both of the Sand and Salt, which as the brine exhaled in boiling, only gather'd together, and made greater cornes of each.

111. Wherein they were confirmed by looking with the Micro∣scope upon some of the strong brine that dropt from the Barrows when the Salt was first put in, which appearing full of those oblong particles, as they looked upon them they could sensibly perceive them to gather together, and club to make greater bodies, till at last they appear'd as the water dryed off the glass, as bigg and not unlike a large Table-diamond: Which made them think that the Sand too, might probably be produced after the same manner, it being very white, and seeming nothing else to them (pardon the expression) but an insipid Salt, whose parts are not so sharp and pointed as the other, but rounder and blunter, and consequently not so pungent on the Tongue. To clear which point I endeavourd to dissolve some of the sand again in fair water, to see whether I could discover any of its principles, but without success, the parts of the Sand being so inseparably fixt that it would by no means dissolve; I also tryed the Salt, which though it dissolved, yet would not render it self again into plates: so that I can only add, that as it seems to be pretty certain that the Salt is made out of the oblong plates, so it is very agreeable to the Method of Nature, in the production of the gravelly Caddis-houses in the Nat. Hist. of Oxfordshirek 1.189, that the Sand should also be produced of those mi∣nute bubbles (that move like Animals in pepper water, yet perhaps are nothing so) which being of a glutinous nature and sit to receive the Terrestrieties of the brine, may be easily harden'd into sand, by the power of heat.

112. Beside the Salt Springs above mention'd there are other weak brines that gently rise out of the earth about Enson, St. Thomas, and in the parish of Ingestre, in a ground called the Marsh belong∣ing to the much Honored Walter Chetwynd Esq where the brine of it self breaks out above ground, and not only frets away the Grass, but the very earth also, so that it lies in a plash half a foot lower than the turf all about it, just as a sort of weak brine is said to do in some boggy places at Nantwich and Droytwichl 1.190: Now if such weak brines spontaneously issuing forth of the earth, are indicative (as good reason they should) of much stronger, deeper in the earth, as they are at the Townes above mention'd: what might one suspect in the Marsh at Ingestre? where the subterraneous brine is so strong, that the Cattle standing in it in Summer time and throwing it on their backs with their tails, the Sun so candies it upon them that

they appear as if covered with a hoar frost. In Pensnet Chase South from Dudley about a mile and half there is another weak brine belonging to the right Honorable Edward Lord Ward, of which his Lordship once attempted to make Salt; but the brine proving to weak, He thought fit to desist, though possibly it might have been advanced to profit by the Art of tunnelling much used in Cheshire to keep out the freshes. In Newbold grounds about midway between Burton and Braunston there are also Salt-Springs, where one Mr. Fownes about 10 years since (then owner of the Lands) attempted to make Salt; but the mixture of the freshes proved so univoidable to Him, that his laudable endea∣vours were also frustrated.

113 Between blew-Hills and Clusterburyedg, about ½ a mile from Over-Holm in the parish of Leek, I met with a stream comeing out of a Sough belonging to the Coale-Mine in blew-Hills, as Salt as any of these, tingeing the stones and earth all along as it runs of a rusty colour, and the button moulds of the poor people (who employ themselves here much in making of buttons) of a black colour (especially if made of Oak) in half an hours time: with the least infusion of powder of Galls, it presently turned as black as Ink: all which shewed it to be a strong Vitriolic water. Yet endeavouring to evaporat severall Gallons of it away in a Iron pot, I could procure no Salt; which beside the tincture it gave the stones, evidently convinced me that it held some quantity of the mineral of Iron; it being certain that a Salt water which contains any Metall in it, can∣not be sodden to Salt in a vessel of the same Metall which it self con∣tains, except Vitriol in Copper Vesselsm 1.191: Wherefore procuring about the quantity of six wine-quarts, by the assistance of the Worshipfull Tho. Rudyerd EsqProprietor of the place, to be boyled away in an agreeable Vessel, there remained about ¾ of an ounce of a strong vi∣triolic ferrugineous salt; though I cannot but think it must also contain somwhat of Copper; for after solution, filtration, and eva∣poration, so far only as to be set to shoot, it would tinge my knife, being put into it, of a copper colour, just like Hungarian or Cyprian Vitriol, which our common English Vitriol, though sated with Iron, will by no meanes doe.

114. That Petrifications arise from the coalition of minute, though obutse parts of salt, having been fully shewed already in Oxfordshire, with the several Species and Methods nature uses in the production of themn 1.192; I shall add no more here but that they be∣long to this place: Nor indeed do the waters of this County that have this quality deserve any great matter of consideration, those

in Cunsall woods, and below the Iron Mills on the River Churnet, and that in Pensnet Chase about ½ a mile eastward from Bromley in the parish of Kingswinford, onely incrustating sticks and the fibers of moss with a gravelly kind of stone: The best of this kind being performed by a sulphureous sort of water (as I believe most are) in some grounds of the right Honorable Robert Lord Ferrers, about midway betwixt Sandon and Gayton, where the branches of the Moss are so delicatly petrifyed, that its forme is preserved even in the capillary parts. The best I say, unless the hard stone found in Church-Eyton Lordship, by my hospitable Friend Mr. Walter Jen∣nings, Rector of the place (which pretty well shews indeed the grain of the wood) should be a petrification, it being beside two in∣ches thick, and must be (if at all) a petrification per minima.

115. Having done with the salt, and Petrifying waters; come we next to those of Medicinal use; that have, are, or may be taken inwardly, or applyed outwardly, for the prevention or cure of di∣vers distempers: such was anciently the water of the Well of St. Erasmus (to begin with the sulphureous oleagenous waters) in the grounds of the Worshipful Walter Chetwynd Esq which was of so great esteem for merly, that there was a Chappel built near it, and I think endowed by some of that ancient Family; where the offer∣ings were so considerable that the Rector of Ingestre (in whose pa∣rish it is) yet pays at this day for the Dismes of them, more than for the profits of the whole parish beside, notwithstanding its Re∣venew with all other such Lands given to pious uses, were taken into the Kings hands at the Reformation, and the Chappel be now demolished, and all applications thither long since ceased. Though I doubt not but the water remains as good and might be as benefi∣cial as ever it was; for notwithstanding it lyes now wholy neg∣lected, and overgrown with weeds, yet the water is still clear, and so exactly of the colour of Sack, that compared with it (in the judgment of several Honourable persons that were at the tryal) they were indistinguishable to the Eye, which is its only Characteristic wherein it sensibly differs from other waters, it having no very eminent either smell or tast: So that what should be the ingredients to give it this colour, proved hard to be found, without the tryal of many, and those very nice Experiments.

116. For having assayed it with the infusion of powder of Galls, the solutions of Vitriol, Tartar, and sublimat; the Spirits of Niter, Ʋrin, &c. (as well alcali's as acids) yet none of them would ei∣ther stir it or change its colour, but a solution of Saccharum Satur∣ni, and Syrup of Violets; whereof the former did precipitat its yellow colour to the bottom, leaving the water above, white and limpid; and the latter changed the amber to a grass-green colour.

Beside upon distillation of about 3 pints of it in a glass body and head, when about a moyety of it was come over in clear water, in the remainder there plainly appeared to the naked Eye an ineffable number of blewish shining films or plates flooting about in it, which were of so thin and curious a substance, that they could not by any means be so separated from the water, as to remain visible upon any other body, nor indeed had I then any other means whereby to examin them.

117. But since the ingenious contrivance of those sort of Microscopes whereby we see the Animals in pepper water, and by the help whereof the worthy Mr. Chetwynd hath so happily discovered such thin plates in the brine of the Salt-works not far from this well, I am inclined to believe these come from Salt too, and that the Mi∣nerals wherewith this water is impregnated, are Salt and Sulphur, notwithstanding the little tast or smell it has; and the rather be∣cause the brine that spontaneously issues forth above ground in the Marsh aforementioned §. 111. is but a little way from it in the same Gentlemans Estate; and why may there not as well be a sul∣phureous glebe too? which being fretted away by the incisive par∣ticles of the Salt, may be brought away with them in the waters, as invisible as the particles of any Metall dissolved in its proper Men∣struum, only imparting the colour, as Gold does to the water, in the preparation of the Crocus or Tincture of Goldo 1.193: Which Salt and Sul∣phur in all probability do so involve one another, that their mutu∣al embraces hinder the exertions of each others vertues, i. e. the Sul∣phur by its viscidity, does so flatten the edges, and so sweeten the pungency of the Salt; and the Salt on the contrary so condense and lock up the volatility of the Sulphur, that notwithstanding the great quantity of both in this water, yet it sends forth no very smart, either smell or tast.

118. Which may also be the reason that though Salt and Sul∣phur be both Acids, yet this water seems impregnated with an alcalizat Salt; the acrimony of its Salt being so close lock't up by the viscous particles of the Sulphur, and render'd so dull and un∣active, that it seems to have nothing of the power of an acid: Whence it came to pass that it lather'd well with Soap, and would not turn milk; having not pungency enough to insinuat it self into the pores of the alcalizat Salt in the Soap, nor astringency so to com∣press the pores of the Milk, as thereby to cause any precipitation. Whence also it came to pass, that having put on the vizor of a fixt Alcali, with Syrup of Violets it gave a green tincture; and its yellow colour was precipitated by a solution of Saccarum Saturni, the aci∣dity of the distill'd Vinegar (used in the preparation of that Salt)

acting upon the Salt of this water as an Alcali, and so opening its parts, as to force it to let go the sulphur it so closely embraced; and yet no other acid (I could think of) would doe it but this; whence we may reasonably conclude that the edges of all acids are not alike, but some better fitted for the opening of one body, and some of another.

119. Near Codsall-wood there is such another Sulphur well, but the Salt and Sulphur not so equally mixt in the water, for though the Sulphur have so sufficiently rebated the acidity of the Salt, as to render it wholy as unactive as an Alcali, so that it lathers well with Soap, will not turn milk, and gives a green tincture with Syrup of Violets; yet the salt is too weak to lock up or restrain the volati∣lity of the Sulphur; for it always emits a sulphureous smell; but in winter, and sometimes against rain, the odour is so strong, that with advantage of the wind, one may smell it now and then at least 20 yards off: nay so volatile is it, and so little restrained, that set over the fire, it flyes away so fast, that the water quickly looses its smell, I tryed it with Galls and Oke leaves, with the solutions of sublimat and Tartar, and with severall Acids; but none of them would either throw downe the Sulphur, or change its colour, but spirit of Ʋrin; which turned it of a faint redish colour like Cham∣pane wine: perhaps a solution of Saccarum Saturni might have made a precipitation; had I any with me, or known the secret.

120. The water of this well is much clearer then that at In∣gestre, and yet is most certainly sated with sulphureous particles; for about 40 or 50 years since, some persons hereabout curious of knowing whence such waters should come, both dug and boared the ground near adjoyning, and met with a sort of mineral Earth that crash't in the boaring (as some of the described it) like rot∣ten wood; which being carryed to London was found sulphureous, and I suppose must needs be the native sulphur, depauperated of its richest particles by the incisive atoms of the Salt, and left so spun∣gy that (as some of them told me) it would swim on the water. This water was accounted in ancient times (when Leprosies were frequent) a soveraign Remedy for such as were troubled with that foule distemper, for whose better accommodation, there was a house built near it, which retains to this day the name of the Leper-house; and is in use at present against Scabs and Itch, both in Man and Beast, purging both by Seige and urin, and not only raking the body within, but most effectually driving forth all ill humors; It also sometimes vomits according to the constitution of the Patient: They commonly drink about 3 quarts at a time, less scarce work∣ing; except by vomit, where it meets with weak stomacks. The Inhabitants hereabout brew their drink with this water, especially

at that they call the Brimstone Alehouse; and boyle their meat with it; upon which 'tis observed, that none of them are ever troubled either with Scabs or Itch, or such like Cuticular diseases.

121. But the water that carrys with it the most rectifyed Sul∣phur is that of the well in Willowbridg Park, it being hardly visible in the water it self, which appears (not like others) of a yellow, but a clear Chrystalline colour, only on the sides of the glasses, af∣ter they have been used a while, one my perceive (with good at∣tention) a bright oilyness, which is so volatile that upon distilla∣tion it came over before the water, as volatile Spirits do, and then (being embodyed) was of a bright yellow: to which putting a few drops of solution of sublimat, it presently turned of a deep Sack-colour, whereby it seemed like the other waters (the Salt being rebated by the viscosity of the Sulphur) to have somewhat of a Lixiviat Salt with it; but so very weak, that it made this deep yellow instead of the Orange tauny precipitat. Upon which account it was too (that like the other Sulphur waters) it latherd well with Soap, would not turn milk, nor would the crude water with Syrup of Violets turn either of the red or green colour, though we know there is an acid in it, that puts on the Nature of an Alcali; Nor could I procure the least signe of any Salt, though I evaporated divers Gallons of it away, so subtile are the Salt and sulphur, where∣with this water is impregnated.

122. The crude water indeed would answer to nothing but the infusion of solution of saccharum Saturni, which inclined me to think it of the same nature with the sulphur water of Ingestre, only impregnated with much finer and more subtile steams; though the effect in this was quite different from that: for instead of precipi∣tating the sulphureous particles, this only turned the whole body of the water, first of much such a blew-yellowish colour as is made by the infusion of the chips or shaving of Nephritic wood in com∣mon water, which after a while faded into a muddy white. A Phae∣nomenon I must confess much more unaccountable, than the means whereby it cures so many diseases, which most certainly it perfor∣mes by its balsamic virtue, and great subtilty and volatility, easily permeating the closest texture, and most unaccessible parts of the body, when once heated by the stomack if taken inwardly, or but by the external heat of the skin if applyed outwardly by way of Bath; for so sensible is it of the least heat (as I plainly saw in distilling it in a glass body and head) that its oil or sulphur came over the Helm upon the first heat, and was all in the Recipient before the least drop of water appear'd. How extensive its sanative virtue may be, indeed is hard to determin, but I dare pronounce it proper, wher∣ever the syrup of Diasulphur of the famous Dr. Willis has been so

successfully administered; though if one might take an estimat from the many attested Cures it has done, it comes as near a Panacea as any Medicin in the Worldp 1.194

123. Of which water there is so great plenty, that I computed no less than 60 springs of it, of a most uninterrupted profluence (whereof enough §. 57 of this Chapter) all riseing within the space of 10 yards square, in Willow-bridg Park, the Propriety of the right Honorable Digby Lord Gerard of Gerards Bromley, a most noble Pa∣tron of this Work; whose stately Seat at Bromley within two Miles and ½, the most magnificent Structure of all this County, is here gratefully placed Tab: 6. The Property I say of these Wells is in this Noble Lord, but at present they are held in Ioynture by His most accomplisht Mother, the right Honorable Jane Lady Gerard Baroness Gerard of Gerards Bromley, by whose most exquisite saga∣city and perspicacious insight into the most hidden recesses of Na∣ture, the restorative virtues of these waters were first discovered; and at whose charitable expence, several of the Springs have been inclos∣ed with squared stone, to preserve them pure and fit both for bath∣ing and drinking; and divers appartments built for lodging the poorer sort of diseased impotent people: So that 'tis hard to deter∣min whether the World stands more indebted to this Honorable Lady's Philosophical, or Theological virtues? Whether to Her know∣ledg as first finder, or Her Piety, as founder of these Sanative Wells.

124. I say Sanative Wells, for (whatever some may talk) most certain it is that divers strange unaccountable Cures have been here performed; and more there might be, were these waters atten∣ded (as some others are) with a skillful Physitian, to prepare the body before hand, direct the use of the waters, and how to order the body after drinking or bathing: The success of useing Medicinal waters depending much upon Method, as my Lord Bacon well ob∣serves it is with some other Medicines, which unadvisedly admini∣ster'd will doe no Cures, but orderly applyed, produce geat onesq 1.195. Nor let any Man wonder that there should be any such thing as a cold Sulphur Bath (as some have done) since Baccius informes us of divers such in Italy, and elswherer 1.196; and Wernherus tells us that there are salutares frigidae in the Kingdom of Hungarys 1.197; Much less that there should be waters holding an oily substance and salt toge∣ther, as this, and the two other mention'd above are said to doe. Since Cardan teaches us that Sal Terrae, by which I suppose he means mineral salt (such as which perhaps this water may wash in its passage) does always partake of sulphur, and holds much oile in it, and that in some parts of the Indies they procure their

oile from salt: Whence he concludes too, that it comes to pass, that the Olive Tree flourishes best near the sea side, salsum enim so∣lum non leviter pingue est, for that a saltish soil most commonly is fat and unctuoust 1.198.

125. With whom also agrees our great Master Aristotle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. that fatness always accompanys a salt juice, whereof (says he) we have this certain signe, that in hot weather an oile may be sepa∣rated from itu 1.199. Again, that the sea-water yields an oile, we have also the testimony of the same great Philosopher, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. e. that oile is gotten out of sea brinew 1.200. Nay so frequently are oiles found joyned with salts, that none of them will mix with water per minima (as they doe in those above mentioned) without a fixt salt, as we see it does not in soap, from which as soone as ever the salt is sequester'd, the oil, parts from the water, and swims at top; whereas whil'st joyned with it, Salt exercises so absolute a dominion over oile, that it will carry it along with it through all the parts of water, and therefore is said by the Philo∣sopher 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to be as it were a subject to itx 1.201. Which is all can well be said concerning this matter, and I hope the Reader expects no more: I shall only therefore add that such oily springs are not so very rare, but that there are of them, in Italy, Sicily, Zante, Saxony, Schwabenland, and in divers other places mentioned by Plinyy 1.202, Bacciusz 1.203, Cardana 1.204, and Vareniusb 1.205, and as Paulus Venetus tells us near Arzinga in Armenia, and as Athenaeus, at Nissa in the Province of Megaris in Greece, upon the Saronic sinus.

126. Beside these, there are other sulphur waters at many o∣ther places in this County, though not so clear and well concocted as these; being generally thick, of a blewish colour, and emitting unpleasant fetid odours, like the sulphur well at Knarsbrough in York∣shire; because proceeding I suppose rather from a crude Bitumen, than a well digested sulphur: Such is that at Tatenhil on the high way side near the pound, which in the summer time (if undi∣sturbed by fowle) has been observed to lay downe a sediment almost of all sorts of colours; and might possibly have the same use that other stincking spaws have, were it but kept clean. And so might that stinking water which crosses Watlingstreet way, not far from Horsebrook, and another of this kind betwixt Willenhall and Bently, could it be kept from a mixture with other water. There is another

of these in a watery Lane not far from Eccleshall, and I was told of another near Hartley green, beside that, which also petrifyes, between Sandon and Gayton mentioned §. 113 of this Chapter. And there is another at Butterton in the parish of Mathfield by How-brook side, which like the Baths of Banca in Hungary will tinge silver of a blackish colour in an hours timec 1.206.

127. There are other sulphur waters in this County that have a Vitriol joyned with them, whereof there is one in a ditch in the Park Meddow under Broughton Park pale, and another at Mon∣moore green near Wolverhampton, both which will strike with Galls, of so deep a red, that they become after a while of a blewish, and at last almost of a blackish colour. And I was shewed another at Grindlestone edge about a quarter of a mile Eastward of Horton Church, that though it turned red both with Galls and Oak-leaves, yet took Soap well enough, whence it plainly appear'd though it were impregnated with an Acid, yet its edges were so flattened by the viscosity of some sulphur, that it could not act its part upon Soap, as such. Nor indeed met I with any water purely Vitriolic, but only one in Needwood-Forrest, about a mile and ½ South easterly from Hanbury, which with Oak-leaves or powder of Galls turned of a faint red like Champane wine, and seemed to be much like that at Astrop in Northamptonshire, and Worton in Oxfordshire, only scarce so strongly impregnated with the mineral. I was told (I must confess) of another at Burslem near Newcastle under Lyme, but finding upon tryal that it would not strike with Galls, though several that stood by, testifyed they had seen it do it, at another time; yet I choose to pass it by: Or at most can but refer it to that sort of water mentioned in Oxfordshire, that in winter time will turne with Galls, but not in summer, whither I also refer the Rea∣der (if it be found to doe so) for the reason of the thingd 1.207.

128. Hither also must be referr'd all milky waters, as holding somwhat of a Vitriol in them, whereof because at large in the Hist. of Oxfordsh.e 1.208. I shall only mind the Reader here that the water of the Well at Hampsted, the Seat of the right Worshipful Sr. John Wyrley Knight, whose most cordial furtherance of this work must by no means be forgotten, seems to be such an one; And so forth∣with shall proceed next to the aluminous waters, which though they will not strike with Galls, yet will coagulate milk, will not take Soap, and with spirit of Ʋrin, turn of a milky colour: of these the most remarkable are at Draycot in the Clay, in the Parish of Han∣bury, and near Hore-Cross Westerly from the Hall, by a brook side in a ground call'd Broadfield, belonging to the Worshipful Robert

Howard Esq. The water of the Well at Hore-Cross Hall the Seat of the same most obligeing Gent. seems also of this kind, for though it will not turn milk, or strike with Galls, yet it takes not Soap, and discolours the meat reddish, that is boyled in it, both signes of an acid, though it seems not strong enough to compress the pores of milk; whence 'tis plain that the tryal of waters with Soap, is much more nice than with milk. The well water of the house of Mr. John Cumberlege now Mayor of Walsall, is also aluminous; and so is the fountain head of the Rivulet call'd Stichbrook between Lich∣field and Elmhurst; which is so apparently such, that the very Alum slat may be seen sticking in the bank side, whence the water issues.

129. Beside these, there are many other waters, not apparently (at least to sense) of any mineral virtue, that will not answer these Experiments, yet no doubt carry with them some more subtile steams whereby they performe unaccountable Cures: such is the water of the well near Gawton stone in Knypersley Park, which has some reputation for cure of the Kings-evill, and so has the Spring called Salters wall, near Newcastle under Lyme; And such is the wa∣ter of the three wells near Shuston house, and of St. Ediths well, both in the Parish of Church Eyton, of the two St. Modwen's wells, at Burton and Cannal, and all the Holy-wells in the Country; which the people still adorn at some certain times of the year, with green boughs and flowers, in grateful memory of the good they have for∣merly done. And amongst these must be reckon'd all sorts of Eye-waters, such as that of Elder well betwixt Blymhill and Brineton, and many others of the kind all over the Country. And so must the Spring in a narrow Lane about mid way betwixt Wolverhamp∣ton, and a house called Sea-wall, which was anciently of such re∣pute that it still retains the name of the Spaw. Which are all the waters of note in this County; for as for the Colepit waters, especi∣ally those they call Canker'd waters, that kill all the fish wherever they fall into the Rivers, I hold them not worthy to have any place in this History.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordsh. chap. 1. §. 32.
• b 1.2

  Hist. of Life and Death, Intent. 1. Operat. 1. Numb. 10.
• c 1.3

  Bohuns disc. of the Origine of Winds. p. 177, 178, 180.
• d 1.4

  Leo Afer his description of Africa. Lib. 1.
• e 1.5

  Petri Crescentiensis de Agricultura, Lib. 1. cap. 5.
• f 1.6

  Hist. of Life and Death. Intent. 1. Operat 2. Numb. 13.
• g 1.7

  C. Plinii secundi Nat. Hist. Lib. 22. cap. 24.
• h 1.8

  In Praefat. ad Libellum de Retardatione senect MS. in Bib. Bodl.
• i 1.9

  Alias de Nemore in Epist. Baconi ad Parisiensem, cap. 7.
• k 1.10

  In Libello, de mirabili potestate Artis & Naturae, di••to.
• p 1.11

  Pet. Crescentiensis de Agricult. Lib. 1. cap. 5.
• q 1.12

  M. Ter. Varronis de re Rustica, Lib. 1. cap. 12.
• r 1.13

  J. Bapt. Portae, Villae Lib. 1. cap. 22.
• s 1.14

  Ignis ille qui 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Lumen & splendor nuncupatur, qui lucct, sed non ardet. Plato in Timaeo.
• t 1.15

  Constantini Caesaris Pogonati dict. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• u 1.16

  Columellae de re Rustica Lib. 1. cap. 2. M. Porcii Catonis de re Rustica, Lib. 1. cap. 1.
• w 1.17

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordsh. cap. 2. §. 9.
• x 1.18

  Tho. Masteri Iter Boreale, pag. 5.
• y 1.19

  Hippocrat. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• z 1.20

  Anatomy of Melancholy, Part. 2. Sect. 2. Memb. 3. sub finem.
• a 1.21

  Constantini Caesaris Pogonati dict. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.22

  Joh. Baptist. Pertae, vil∣lae, Lib. 1. cap. 22.
• c 1.23

  Praedii rustic. Lib. 1. cap. 4.
• d 1.24

  Auster non ubique insalubris. Ibidem.
• e 1.25

  Rutilii Pallad•••• de re Rustica, cap. 8. de Adificio.
• f 1.26

  Vitellonis Opticae, Lib. 10. Theorem. 42.
• g 1.27

  Lib. Fromondi Meteorolog. Lib. 5. cap. 3, artic. 3.
• h 1.28

  Camdens Britannia in Staffordsh.
• * 1.29

  Vid. §. §. 84, 85, 86. of this Chapter.
• i 1.30

  Camden's Britannia in Staffordshire sub finem.
• k 1.31

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 127. and 129.
• l 1.32

  Weekly Memorials, Numb. 1. p. 8.
• m 1.33

  F. Vanslebius his present State of Egypt. Cap. of the Pillar Mikias.
• * 1.34

  Nonnulli [fontes] ad multum tempus cessant effluere, deinde rursus emergunt. Geo. Agricolae de Natura Eorum quae effluunt ex terra Lib. 3.
• n 1.35

  Wonders of the Peak, p. 26.
• o 1.36

  Thomae Hobbs de mirabilibus Pecci Carm.
• p 1.37

  Wonders of the Peak p. 29.
• q 1.38

  Camden in Staffordsh. sub finem.
• r 1.39

  Guliel. Nubrigensis Rerum Angl. Lib. 1. cap. 28.
• s 1.40

  Emanuelis Maignan Tol••sati Perspectivae horariae Lib. 1. Prop. 1. §. 3.
• * 1.41

  Gassendus tells us of another of this kind, which he calls Fontem Collis Martiensis, that Ebbs and Flows 8. times in an hour. Phys. Sect. 3. Memb. pr. Lib. 1. cap. 7. And Dr. Merret acquaints us with one near Kilken in Flintshire that ebbs and flows 4 times in an hour, Pinax Rerum Nat. p. 222.
• t 1.42

  Jobi Ludolfi Hist. Aethiop. Lib. 1. cap. 5. §. 34.
• u 1.43

  Vanslebius's present State of Egypt, Chap. of the River Nile.
• w 1.44

  Petri Gassendi Physicae Sect. 3. Memb. pr. cap. 3. & 5.
• x 1.45

  Mart. Rulandi Lexicon Alchemiae in verbo Chrysocolla.
• y 1.46

  Van∣slebius's prejent State of Egypt, Chap, of the River Nile,
• * 1.47

  Observations Sur les Eaux Minera∣les par le Sieur Du Clos. p. 83.
• z 1.48

  Musei Wormiani. Lib. 1. Sect. 3. cap. 10.
• b 1.49

  Excedente Nilo siccantur, decedente madent succo Nitri. Nat. Hist. Lib. 31. cap. 10
• c 1.50

  Prosp. Alpini de Medicina Aegyptiorum. Lib. 1. cap. 8.
• * 1.51

  Geo. Wernerus de admirandis Hun∣gariae aquis. sub finem.
• † 1.52

  Dr. Brown's account of his Travels into Hungary, &c. p. 127, 128.
• * 1.53

  See Nat. Hist. of Oxfordsh. chap. 2. §. 17.
• d 1.54

  Sr. William Essex.
• e 1.55

  Dennington Castle upon this Rivulet, once a seat of Sr. Geofry Chau∣cer's, our famous English Poet.
• f 1.56

  Sylvester's Translation of Du Bartas the third day of the first Week. p. 55.
• g 1.57

  Observations Topogrophical, &c. p. 103.
• h 1.58

  Pet. Gassendi Physicae §. 3. Memb. pr Lib. 1. cap. 7.
• i 1.59

  Guil. Pis••nis de Med. Brasil. Lib. 1. p. 7.
• k 1.60

  Hieron. Cardani de subtilitate, Lib. 2. sub finem.
• l 1.61

  England described by Edw. Leigh, in Yorkshire, p. 219.
• † 1.62

  Bernh. Varenti Geograph. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 17. prop. 17.
• ¶ 1.63

  Geo. Wernerus de admirandis Hungariae Aquis sub finem.
• m 1.64

  Geo. Agricolae de natura Eorum quae effluunt ex terra, Lib. 3.
• * 1.65

  Geo. Agricolae de natura Eorum quae effluunt ex terra, Lib. 3.
• n 1.66

  Ger. Boat's Nat. Hist. of Ireland, Chap. 7. Sect. 1.
• o 1.67

  L. An. Senecae Nat. Quaest. Lib. 3. cap. 7.
• p 1.68

  De L'Origine des fontains Partie seconde, p. 167.
• q 1.69

  Hist. of the Royal Society part. 2. sub finem.
• r 1.70

  De L' Origine des Fontains seconde partie. from pag. 198. to pag. 207.
• s 1.71

  Pet. Gassendi Phys. Sect. 3. Memb. pr. Lib. 1. cap. 3. near Blawbeher in the Dukedom of of Wurt••mberg in Schwabenland is much such another, that vomits up water in so great abun∣dance that the River at the mouth of it is a furlong broad, Joh. Herbinii de Cataractis. Lib. 1. cap. 11.
• t 1.72

  Joh. Bapt. Riccioli Almagesti novi, Lib 2. cap. 13.
• v 1.73

  Bernh. Varenit Geograph. General. Lib. 1. cap. 16. Prop. 27.
• w 1.74

  Ibid. Prop. 5.
• x 1.75

  Joh. Bapt. Riccioli Geograph. & Hydrograph. reformatae, Lib. 6. cap. 19.
• y 1.76

  Ibidem.
• z 1.77

  Sommario de L' Indie Occidentali del S. Don Pietro Martire cap. 7. p. 6. Stamp. Venet. L' Anno 1565,
• a 1.78

  Bernh. Varenti Geograph. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 17. Prop. 7.
• b 1.79

  Ibid. prop. 9.
• c 1.80

  Lod. Rowzce M. D. Treatise of Tunbridg waters. cap. 4.
• d 1.81

  Lecturae Cutlerianae de potentia Res•• itutiva p. 28.
• e 1.82

  Ibid. p. 32.
• * 1.83

  Sr. Geo. Wheelers ••••••ages p. 45, 46. and 208. vide etiam ••ardanum de varietate Lib. 1. cap. 6. in initio, ubi d•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 du••cis aquae in Maris scopulo: of which ••ee § 77. of this Chapter.
• f 1.84

  Ibidem. p. 30.
• g 1.85

  Hieron. Cardani de subtilitate Lib. 2. p. 166. Edit. Basil. An. 1582.
• h 1.86

  Lect. Cutlerian. de potentia restitut. p. 31.
• i 1.87

  A. Hirtii Pansae Commentar. Lib. de Bello Alexandrino cap. 9.
• k 1.88

  Lectur. Cutler. de potentia restitut. p. 29. & 32.
• l 1.89

  Hen. Knighton Canonici Leycestrensis de Eventibus Angliae Lib. 2.
• m 1.90

  Simeon Dunelmensis Hist. de gestis Regum Ang. & Chronicon Joh. Bromton. in Anno 1114.
• n 1.91

  Matth. Paris Hist. Ang. in Hen. 1. An. 1114.
• o 1.92

  Joh. Loccenii Historiae Suecanae Lib. 7. p. 370. & Lib. 8. p. 606. Edit. Franc. & Lipsiae An. 1676.
• p 1.93

  Joh. Biazai Senioris Historiae Eccles. Su••c. Lib. 8. cap. 14.
• q 1.94

  Joh. Herbinii de admirandis mundi Cataractis Lib. 4. Dissert. 8. cap. 17.
• * 1.95

  C. Plinii secundi Nat. Hist. Lib. 31. cap. 5.
• r 1.96

  Camden in Caermarthynsh.
• s 1.97

  B. Varenii Geograph. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 17. prop. 17.
• t 1.98

  Pet. Gassendi Phys. §. 3. Memb. pr. Lib. 1. cap. 7.
• v 1.99

  Bern. Varenii Geogr. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 17. prop. 17.
• w 1.100

  Ant. Vasconcellii Descriptio Regni Lusitan. cap. 5.
• x 1.101

  Petri Martyris Anglerii de Orbe novo Dec. 3. cap. 8.
• y 1.102

  Bernh. Varenii Geograph. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 15. prop. 7.
• z 1.103

  Petri Martyris Anglerii de novo Orbe Decad. 3. cap. 7.
• a 1.104

  Mercurius Centralis. p. 74.
• b 1.105

  Bapt. Fulgosi Dict. & Fact. Mem. Collect. Lib. 1. c. 6. Museo di Lud. Moscardo, Lib. 2. cap. 111. Theo. Moreti Tract. de Aestu maris cap. 21. §. 275.278.
• c 1.106

  And. Moral. Decad. 7. cap. 8.
• d 1.107

  Bernh. Varenii Geograph. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 16. Prop. 28.
• e 1.108

  Pauli Warnefridi de gestis Longobardorum Lib. 1. cap. 6.
• f 1.109

  Homeri Odyss. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 50.
• g 1.110

  Abrah. Ortelii The∣saur. Geogr. in verbo Umbilicus.
• * 1.111

  Olai Rudbeck Atlanticae Lib. 8. §. 1.
• h 1.112

  vid. Rationes Joh. Herbinii de Cataractis marinis Lib. 2. Dissert. 4. cap. 9. ubi etiam Mappae hujus Vo∣raginis.
• i 1.113

  Job. 38. v. 16. Amos. 9. v. 6.
• k 1.114

  Gen. 8. v. 2.
• l 1.115

  Eccles. 1. v. 7.
• m 1.116

  Joh. Ray his Observations Topographical &c. p. 300.
• n 1.117

  Gen. 2. v. 5.6.
• o 1.118

  Ezekiel 31. v. 4.
• p 1.119

  Gen. 7. v. 11.
• q 1.120

  Gen. 8. v. 2.
• r 1.121

  Prov. 8. v. 28.
• s 1.122

  Deut. 33. v. 13.
• t 1.123

  Gen. 49. v. 25.
• u 1.124

  Joh. Bapt. Riccioli Almagesti novi Lib. 2. cap. 13.
• w 1.125

  Homeri iliad. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 195.
• x 1.126

  Plato in Phaed. p. 112. Edit. Hen. Steph. An. 1578.
• y 1.127

  Aristot. Meteorolog. Lib. 1. cap. 13. & 14. L. An. Senecae Nat. Quaest. Lib. 3. cap. 4.5.
• z 1.128

  Job Chap. 28. v. 14.
• a 1.129

  See § 38. of this Chapter.
• b 1.130

  Stillingfleeti Origin. Sacr. Lib. 3. cap. 4.
• a 1.131

  See § 38. of this Chapter.
• b 1.132

  Stillingfleeti Origin. Sacr. Lib. 3. cap. 4.
• c 1.133

  Q. Curtii Rufi Historiarum Lib. 3. in initio.
• d 1.134

  Hieron. Cardani de subtilitate Lib. 2. p. 92. edit. Basil. An. 1582.
• e 1.135

  Hieron. Cardani de rerum Varietate Lib. 1. cap. 6. in initio.
• f 1.136

  Jul. Scaligeri de Subtilitate Lib. 15. Exercit. 46.
• g 1.137

  G. Boate's Nat. Hist. of Ireland chap. 7. §. 1.
• h 1.138

  Strabonis rerum Geograph. Lib. 12. p. 536, edit. Paris. An. 1620.
• i 1.139

  Geo. Agricolae de natura Eorum quae effluunt ex terra Lib. 3. in initio.
• k 1.140

  Phil. Cluverii Vindeliciae & Noric. chap. 6.
• l 1.141

  Lecturae Cutlerianae de potentia Re∣stitut. p. 34.
• m 1.142

  C. Plinii secundi Nat. Hist. Lib. 17. cap. 4.
• n 1.143

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 27. p. 497.
• o 1.144

  Ren. Des Cartes Princip. Philosoph. Part. 4. § 64. & Stillingfleeti Origin. Sacr. Lib. 3. cap. 4.
• p 1.145

  Mr. Boyles tract of the temperature of Subterraneal regions. cap. 2.
• q 1.146

  Dr. Brownes account of his Travels into Hungary, &c. p. 90.
• r 1.147

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordshire chap. 6. §. 61.
• s 1.148

  De L' Origine des Fountains premier partie p. 125.
• t 1.149

  Ibidem seconde partie, p. 154, 155.
• * 1.150

  De quibus vide Joh. Christopheri Sturmii Collegium Experiment. Tentamine 8.
• u 1.151

  Strabonis rerum Geograph. Lib. 1. pag. 54. edit. Paris. An. 1620.
• w 1.152

  Joh. Bapt. Riccioli Geograph. & Hydrograph. Reformatae Lib. 1. cap. 16.
• x 1.153

  Ibidem, & C. Plinii secundi Nat. Hist. Lib. 6. cap. 29.
• y 1.154

  Cabaei Meteor. Lib. 1. text. 9. q. 9. & text. 73.
• z 1.155

  Joh. Bapt. Riccioli Geog. & Hydrog. reform. Lib. 1. cap. 16.
• a 1.156

  Aristot. Metec∣rolog. Lib. 2. cap. 1.
• b 1.157

  Libert. Fromondi Meteorologic. Lib. 5. cap. 1. Art. 5.
• c 1.158

  Joh. Bapt. Van Helmont Ortus Medicinae Cap. Aqua. pag. 34.35. edit. Venetiis An. 1651.
• d 1.159

  Psal. 104. v. 9.
• e 1.160

  Job. 38. v. 11.
• f 1.161

  Psal. 33. v. 7.
• g 1.162

  Psal. 107. v. 24, 25, 26.
• h 1.163

  Pub. Ovidii Nasonis Tristium Lib. 1. Eleg. 2.
• i 1.164

  Joh. Ba••t. Riccioli Geograph. & Hydrograph. re∣format. Lib. 10. cap. 1.
• k 1.165

  Tho. Lydiati Disquisit. Physiolog. de origine fontium Cap. 2. in initio.
• l 1.166

  Stilling flecti Origin. Sacr. Lib. 3. cap. 4.
• m 1.167

  Mr. Boyle of the temperature of Submarine regions Chap. 3. and 4.
• n 1.168

  Philos. Transact. numb. 53. and in Mr. Collins's discourse of Salt and fishery p. 9.
• o 1.169

  C. Plinii 2 ^li, Nat. Hist. Lib. 31. cap. 7.
• p 1.170

  Joh. Bapt. Du Hamel Phys. part. 2. Tract. 2. cap. 4.
• q 1.171

  Geo. Agricolae de Ortu & Causis subterraneorum Lib. 1.
• r 1.172

  See the map of Ganges in the English Atlas of East India.
• s 1.173

  Geo. Agricolae de natura Eorum quae effluunt ex terra, Lib. 3.
• t 1.174

  L. An. Senecae Nat. Quaest. Lib. 3. cap. 26.
• u 1.175

  Geo. Pictorius de fluminibus miraculoses.
• w 1.176

  Whelers Voyages Lib. 3. pag. 186. and 268.
• x 1.177

  Nat. Hist. of Oxford sh. Chap. 2. §. 21.
• y 1.178

  Mr Camdens Britannia in Herefordshire.
• z 1.179

  Bernh. Verenii Geograph. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 17. prop. 7.
• a 1.180

  Hieron. Cardani de rerum Varietate. Lib. 1. cap. 7.
• b 1.181

  Mr. Boyle's Hist. of Cold, Tit. 3.
• c 1.182

  Mr. Boyle's Tract of the temperature of Subterraneal Regions chap. 9.
• d 1.183

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 150.
• e 1.184

  Joh. Bapt. Du Hamel de Fossilibus Lib. 2. cap. 3.
• f 1.185

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 53. & 142.
• g 1.186

  Mr Collins's discourse of Salt and Fishery. p. 7.
• h 1.187

  Ibidem p. 9.
• i 1.188

  Ibidem p. 52.
• k 1.189

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordshire Chap. 7 §. 25.
• l 1.190

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 53 & 142.
• m 1.191

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 7. p. 128.
• n 1.192

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordshire chap. 2. from §. 23. to 31.
• o 1.193

  N. Lemery's Course of Chymistry. chap. 1.
• p 1.194

  Fons Sanitatis, from p. 9. to 36.
• q 1.195

  Nat. Hist. Cent 1. Experiment 60.
• r 1.196

  Andr. Baccii de Thermis Lib. 4. cap. 15.
• s 1.197

  Geo. Wernberus de admirandis Hungariae aquis p. 69.
• t 1.198

  Hieron. Cardani de subtilitate Lib. 5. p. 285, 286. edit. Basil. 1582.
• u 1.199

  Aristotelis Pre∣blematum Sect. 23. quaest. 9.
• w 1.200

  Ibidem, quaest. 15.
• x 1.201

  Ibidem, quaest. 32.
• y 1.202

  Plinii Nat. Hist. Lib. 31. cap. 2.
• z 1.203

  Baccii de Thermis, Lib. 5. cap. 15.
• a 1.204

  Hieron Cardani de subtilitate, Lib. 2. p. 176.
• b 1.205

  Bernh. Varenii Geograph. Gen. Lib. 1. cap. 17. prop. 8.
• c 1.206

  Dr. Brownes travells into Hungary, &c. p. 87.
• d 1.207

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordshire, Chap. 2. §. 62.
• e 1.208

  Ibidem Chap. 2. §. 64.