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mountains, and about flinty rocks the supply is copious 
and abundant; it is there cold and more wholesome. In 
champaign countries, the springs are salt, gross, tepid. 
and unpleasant, except those, which percolating from the 
mountains beneath the surface, issue forth in the plains. 
where, especially when shadowed by trees, they are as 
delicious as those of the mountains themselves. Besides 
the above signs for ascertaining in what places water may 
be found, are the following : when a place abounds with 
the slender bulrush, the wild willow, the alder, the withy, 
reeds, ivy, and other plants of a similar sort, which neither 
spring up nor flourish without moisture. For these plants 
usually grow about lakes, which, being lower than the 
other parts of a country, receive both the rain water and 
that of the district, through the winter, and, from their 
size, preserve the moisture for a longer period. On these. 
however, we must not rely. But in those districts and 
lands, no lakes being near, where the plants in question 
grow spontaneously, there we may search. In places 
where these signs do not appear, the following plan must 
be adopted. Dig a hole three feet square, and at least 
five feet deep, and in it, about sunset, place a brazen or 
leaden basin, or larger vessel, if one be at hand. It must 
be rubbed over with oil inside and inverted, and the upper 
part of the excavation is to be covered with reeds or leaves 
on these the earth is to be thrown. On the following 
day let it be opened, and if the inside of the vase be 
covered with damp and drops of water, water will be 
there found. If the vase placed in the pit be of unburnt 
clay, having been covered as before directed, when un 
covered it will be damp, and perhaps destroyed by the 
moisture. Afleece of wool being placed in the same pit, 
if, on the following day, water can be expressed from it, 
the existence of water in the place is indicated, and that 
in abundance. Also, if a trimmed lamp full of oil be 
lighted, and placed in the covered pit, and on the fol- 
lowing day it be not exhausted, but still retain uncon¬