Note Chap. 4. Note (k) — BOOK III.

[k] Monsieur Blundel, related to the Parisian Academy, what Device the Inhabitants the lower Austria, (which is encompassed with the Mountains of Stiria) are wont to use to fill their Wells with Water. They dig in the Earth to the Depth of 25 and 20 Feet, till they come to an Argilla [clammy Earth]——which they bore through so deep, till the Waters break forcibly out; which Water it is probable comes from the neighbouring Mountains in subterraneous Chanels. And Cassinus observed, that in many Places of the Territory of Modena and Bologna in Italy, they make themselves Wells by the like Artifice, &c. By this Means the same Seig. Cassini made a Fountain at the Castle of Urbin, that cast up the Water five Foot high above the level of the Ground. Ray’s Disc. 1. pag. 40. ubi plura.

Upon Enquiry of some skilful Workmen, whose Business it is to dig Wells, &c. whether they had ever met with the like Case, as these in this Note, they told me they had met with it in Essex, where after they had dug to 50 Foot Depth, the Man in the Well observed the clayie Bottom to swell and begin to send out Water, and stamping with his Foot to stop the Water, he made way for so suddain and forcible a Flux of Water, that before he could get into his Bucket, he was above his Waste in Water; which soon ascended to 17 Feet height, and there stayed: And although they often with great Labour endeavoured to empty the Well, in order to finish their Work, yet they could never do it, but were forced to leave it as it was.