The Troad, a country of Phrygia, in Asia Minor, of which Troy was the
capital, abounds with hot springs; the most interesting one of which is
thus described by Doctor Clarke. It is situated near a place called
Bonarbashy, signifying literally “the head of the springs,” and gushes
perpendicularly out of the earth, rising from the bottom of a marble and
granite reservoir, and throwing up as much water as the famous fountain
of Holywell, in Wales. Its surface seems vehemently boiling; and, during
cold weather, the condensed vapor above it causes the appearance of a
cloud of smoke over the well. While the mercury stood at forty-six
degrees in the open air, it rose, when the thermometer was plunged in
the water, to sixty-two degrees. Notwithstanding the warmth of this
spring, fishes were seen sporting in the reservoir. In every part of the
district through which the Mender flows, from Ida to the Hellespont, are
many of these springs, of different degrees of temperature.
The Geysers have already been described, in treating of Mount Hecla, and
its surprising volcano. In following up the details of the phenomena of
this nature given above, by a brief notice of other bubbling, tepid and
boiling springs, it may not be improper to premise that heat, water and
vapors of various kinds, exist in prodigious quantities beneath the
surface of the earth; and frequently, as has been seen in the phenomena
of volcanoes and earthquakes, burst forth from enormous openings, with
tremendous destruction. It often happens, however, that the openings are
small and porous, and that the vapors ascending through them, are simply
combined with water. Hence that almost infinite variety in the
characters of these springs, fountains and lakes, the waters of which
are combined with extraneous substances. In some cases the clastic
gases, or vapors, ascend from specific levity alone, and are destitute
of all taste and odor; insomuch that springs are found which bubble
without boiling, or betraying heat or any other foreign quality. In
other cases they are strongly impregnated with heat; and are then either
tepid or boiling, according to the proportion of extricated caloric they
contain. Occasionally, whether hot or cold, they are blended with
metallic, sulphureous, saline, and other substances, and hence assume
the name of mineral waters; while, if the substance thus dissolved be
combustible, as naphtha, bitumen, or turpentine, the fountain will often
inflame and burn on the application of a lighted torch.
The water of the noted boiling spring at Peroul, near Montpelier, is
observed to heave and boil up very furiously in small bubbles, which
manifestly proceed from a vapor breaking out of the earth, and rushing
through the water, so as to throw it up with noise, and in many bubbles;
for on digging in the vicinity of the ditch where the spring lies, and
pouring fresh water on the dry spot newly dug, the same boiling is
immediately observed. A similar bubbling of the water is likewise found
near Peroul, on the seashore. In several dry places near the spring, are
small ventiducts, passages or clefts, whence steam issues; and at the
mouths of these passages, small light bodies, such as feathers, pieces
of straw, leaves, &c., being placed, are soon blown away. This vapor, on
the application of a lighted candle or torch, does not flame or take
fire, as is the case with that of the boiling spring at Wigan; so that
there are two different sorts of steam, to occasion these boilings, at
the same time that neither of the fountains is medicinal, or even warm.
Other boiling waters, of a very different temperature, possess, like
those of the hot springs of St. Michael, a sufficient degree of heat to
boil eggs, and to serve for other culinary purposes. Among these may be
instanced those of the Solfatara, near Naples; those on the summit of
Mount Zebio, in the Modenese territory; and those which constitute the
source of the imperial bath at Aix la Chapelle. In Japan, a hot spring
is said to burst forth which constantly maintains the boiling-point, and
the water of which retains its heat much longer than common water. It
does not flow regularly, but during an interval of two hours each day;
and the force and violence of the vapors are then so great, that large
stones are ejected, and raised to the hight of ten or twelve feet, with
a noise like that of the explosion of a piece of artillery.
From the phenomena which have been adduced, it appears that the
exhalations constantly escaping from the vast subterraneous magazines in
which they are prepared, vary greatly in their qualities and effects.
Some are cold and dry, resembling air or wind, as those near Peroul, and
in the cavities of mountains, especially those of Æolus and other hills
of Italy, as well as in particular mines. Others are inflammable, and of
a bituminous nature, though not positively warm, as those of Wigan well.
Others are very hot, sulphureous and saline, more especially those of
the natural stoves, sweating-vaults, grottos, baths and volcanoes near
Naples, Baiæ, Cuma and Pozzuoli, as also in some of the subterraneous
works at Rome. And others, again, are of an arsenical, or other noxious
quality, as those of the Grotta del Cane. Now, these various streams
meeting with, and running through water, must occasion in it a great
variety of phenomena and effects.
It is observed by Doctor Thomson, in his history of the Royal Society,
that the hot spring at Bath, has continued at a temperature higher than
that of the air for a period of not less than two thousand years,
although it is so far distant from any volcano, that, without a very
violent and improbable extension of the agency of volcanic fires, it can
not be ascribed to them. There are various decompositions of mineral
bodies, which generate considerable heat; or, to speak more properly,
water is itself the decomposed substance generating heat by its
decomposition. The evolution of azotic gas is a proof that the heat of
the Bath waters is owing to a particular decomposition which takes place
within the bowels of the earth. The greatest heat of these waters is one
hundred and sixteen degrees of Fahrenheit’s scale; but that of the
mineral waters of Carlsbad, in Bohemia, ascends to one hundred and
sixty-five degrees.
There are several curious springs which are worthy of notice in this
connection, though somewhat varying from the class thus far mentioned.
One of these was recently discovered in California, about fifty miles
east of San Felipe, in San Diego county. It was discovered by a party
engaged in surveying the public lands, and consists of a collection of
fountains or springs of soda water, situated in a sandy plain or
depression of the surface of the desert. The spring is in a mound of
symmetrical shape, tapering like a sugar-loaf, in the center of the top
of which is a hole, apparently unfathomable, containing the carbonated
beverage fresh from some natural laboratory below. Some of these mounds
are six feet high, and clothed with a green and luxuriant coat of grass,
while others are shaped like an inverted bowl, and fringed by a growth
of cane. The water is described as having the same sparkling and
effervescing quality as that ordinarily sold by apothecaries, and was
drunk with avidity by both the men and animals belonging to the party
discovering it. When impregnated with acid of any kind, it produced
instant effervescence, and in that form was peculiarly refreshing as a
drink.
Another singular spring has also been discovered on the way from the
Great Salt lake, to Los Angelos, through the Cajon pass. The traveler
who gives the account of it says: “We had crossed the great desert
without any accident, and then camped on a stream of deliciously cool
water, about twelve to eighteen inches wide, which distributes itself
about half a mile lower down in a meadow covered with luxuriant grasses.
This camp-ground is called by the Spaniards, ‘Las Vegas.’ Once more we
had plenty of grass for our fatigued animals, and we determined to rest
here for the day. During our journey we passed a number of deserted
wagons, chairs, &c. An ox-train from Little Salt lake had preceded about
ten days; and it was not difficult to follow their trail, for in the
space of one hour I counted the putrid carcasses of nineteen oxen and
horses. What a lesson to those who venture on such a journey unadvisedly
and unprepared! The strong north wind which blew all day, raised a cloud
of dust which almost blinded me, although I had goggles and a green vail
to protect my eyes; however, the delightful and refreshing water of this
oasis soon purified me; and I felt, having crossed the desert,
breakfasted and bathed, much more comfortable, both mentally and
physically. The acacia was the only tree on this stream. Having remained
at this camp all one day, the next morning we were on the road to
Cottonwood springs, some twenty miles distant, where we would find water
and grass, and then commence a journey over another desert of fifty-five
miles. We followed up this little stream for about three miles, when the
road turned a little to the right; but I was anxious to see the head of
the stream, for, from the appearance of the surrounding country, I
judged it to be very near. Several gentlemen and myself continued up the
stream, and after a ride of half a mile, we came to a large spring,
thirty-five feet wide and forty long, surrounded by acacias in full
bloom. We approached through an opening, and found it to contain the
clearest and most delicious water I ever tasted; the bottom appeared to
be not more than two feet from the surface, and to consist of white
sand. One of the party prepared himself for a bath, and soon his body
divided the crystal waters. While I was considering whether I should go
in, I heard him calling to me that it was impossible to sink, the water
was so buoyant. I hardly believed it, and, to be able to speak
certainly, I also undressed and jumped in. What was my delight and
astonishment to find that all my efforts to sink were futile. I raised
my body out of the water, and suddenly lowered myself, but I bounded
upward as if I had struck a springing-board; I walked about the water up
to my armpits, just the same as if I had been walking on dry land. The
water instead of being about two feet deep, was over fifteen, the length
of the longest tent-pole we had along. It is impossible for a man to
sink over his head in it; the sand on the banks is very fine and white;
the temperature is seventy-eight degrees of Fahrenheit. I can form no
idea as to the cause of this singular phenomenon. Great Salt lake also
possesses this quality, but this water is perfectly sweet. In the
absence of any other name I have called it Buoyant spring. I have never
heard of it as possessing this quality, and should like some of the
savants to explain the cause of buoyancy. We lingered in the spring for
fifteen minutes, when we dressed and resumed our ride, highly delighted
and gratified by our exploration. I made drawings of this spot and
surrounding mountains.”
Still another singular spring, also in California, was discovered by a
Mr. Dabney, when boring for water in San Jose. The auger penetrated
through a stiff bed of clay fifty-eight feet thick, when a stream of
water was struck which forced itself up the aperture with unprecedented
power, and in a volume greater, it is believed, than all the other
artesian streams in the neighborhood combined. From this well alone
flowed a sufficiency of water to turn a mill. It boiled up with great
force, and ran off in a stream four feet wide and six inches deep. At
the mouth the current washed out a hole of several feet wide and very
deep. Serious apprehensions were entertained, when the stream first
burst forth, that it would be impossible to control it. The water was
cold and delightful, and it was estimated that the spring would be
sufficient to supply the whole city plentifully.
Reciprocating fountains, or springs, may be cited among the most curious
phenomena of nature. An irregularity of flow is not uncommon in boiling
springs; but there are other springs which evince a periodical influx
and reflux, almost as regular as the tides of the ocean. These changes,
it will be seen, frequently occur several times in a day, or even in an
hour. They are ascribed to various causes, either subterraneous or
superficial; but in general, springs and lakes of this description, have
been ascertained to communicate with others beneath, through pores or
apertures of various diameters, which serve equally to carry off the
waters, and to supply them afresh. In such cases the flux and reflux of
the upper head of water, must necessarily depend on the state of that
beneath; and the causes which alternately augment and diminish the
latter, must produce a similar effect on the former.
Paderborn spring, in Westphalia, disappears twice in twenty-four hours,
returning constantly, after a lapse of six hours, with a great noise,
and so forcibly as to drive three mills at a short distance from its
source. The inhabitants call it the _bolderborn_, that is, the
boisterous spring. Lay-well spring, near Torbay, is about six feet in
length, five in breadth, and nearly six inches deep. The flux and
reflux, which are very visible, are performed in about two minutes; when
the spring remains at its lowest ebb for the space of about three
minutes. In this way it ebbs and flows twenty times within the hour. As
soon as the water begins to rise, many bubbles ascend from the bottom;
but on its falling, the bubbling instantly ceases. Giggleswick spring,
in the West Riding of Yorkshire, lies at the foot of a hill of
limestone, named Giggleswick Scar. Its reciprocations are irregular,
both with respect to duration and magnitude, the interval of time
between any two succeeding flows being sometimes greater, and at other
times less, insomuch that a just standard of comparison can not be
formed. The rise of the water, in the stone trough or cistern which
receives it, during the time of the well’s flowing, is equally
uncertain, varying from one inch to nine or ten inches, in the course of
a few reciprocations. This spring, like the preceding one, discharges
bubbles of air at the time of its flowing. Near the lake of Bourget, in
Savoy, is a reciprocating spring which rises and falls with a great
noise, but not at stated and regular times. After Easter, its ebbings
and flowings are frequently perceived six times in an hour; but in dry
seasons not more than once or twice. It issues from a rock, and is
called =La Fontaine de Merville=, the marvelous fountain.
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