179 
CHAPTER I. 
OF THE METHOD OF FINDING WATER. 
As it is the opinion of physiologists, philosophers and 
priests that all things proceed from water, I thought it 
necessary, as in the preceding seven books rules are laid 
down for buildings, to describe in this the method of 
finding water, its different properties, according to the 
varied nature of places, how it ought to be conducted, 
and in what manner it should be judged of; inasmuch 
as it is of infinite importance, for the purposes of life, 
for pleasure, and for our daily use. This will be easily 
accomplished if the springs are open and flowing above 
ground. If that be not the case, their sources under 
ground are to be traced and examined. In order to dis- 
cover these, before sunrise one must lie down prostrate in 
the spot where he seeks to find it, and with his chin placed 
on the ground and fixed, look around the place; for the 
chin being fixed, the eye cannot range upwards farther 
than it ought, and is confined to the level of the place. 
Then, where the vapours are seen curling together and 
rising into the air, there dig, because these appearances 
are not discovered in dry places. We should also con- 
sider the nature of the place when we search for water. 
In clay, the vein of water is small, the supply little, and 
not of the best flavour; and if in low places, it will be 
muddy and ill tasted. In black earth, only tricklings and 
small drops are found, which, collected from tne winter 
rain, subside in compact hard places, and are of very ex¬ 
cellent flavour. In gravel, the veins are small and variable, 
but they are exceeding well flavoured. In the strong, com- 
mon and red sands, the supply is to be depended on with 
more certainty, and is of good taste. In red stone, abun- 
dance and that of good quality may be obtained, if it do not 
filter away and escape through the pores. At the feet of