Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-11-30
Theory of Artesian Wells.


well understood. But The cause ofthis is no,
so generally known. The curiosity on this
subject, generated by the Artesian well now
being bored by DR.. Jayne induces rs to en-
deavor at an explanation of this phenomenon.
The surface Of the earth is composed, as eve
~ observer can see for himself, of layers of
rock, intermxed with gravel and other ma.
terials, and conyered at top with soil. These
layers, or strata, finally repose on what are
called primitive rocks, snch as granite and
porphyry. In the convuIsons to which the
globe has heen subjected these strata have been
frequently lifted out Of their original positions,
have been bent and conto.ied into various
shapes, and have been left in this condition.
Sometimes they are found at right angles 10
the earth, sometimes at an angle of forty-ive
degrees, and sometimes curved into the sep
ment of circle, forming, as it were, a huge
old fashioned pie dish. Not unfrequenlly there
are two stratas, one under the other, in this pie
dish shape, with gravel, old marine shells, or
soil between; and often the space between the
two layers Of rock, thus situated, is hundreds,
nay, thousands of feet
Now, if we suppose village, borough or
city, built on ground which is enclosed within
the dish formed by the upper of two strata thus
situated, il follows that il can have no springs
except those fed by the rains falling within The
dish, the rock being impervous TO water. In
such case, if we'll can be sunk through this
first rock and into the ground or other soil be-
tween the two strata, the borer will have the
advantage Of the springs which are fed by The
rains falling between where the two strata
come to the surface. Suppose, for example,
that there are two pie dishes, one smaller than
the other and set within il, with sand between.
If waller, which in this case represents the rain,
is poured on this sand, where it appears be-
tween the edges Of the dishes, it will penewate
downwards between the two dishes; aud then,
If hole is drilled through the upper dish and a
quill inserted, will rise through this quill to
the level Of the edges, BY familiar law Of hy-
drostatcs. That is an Artesan we'll Conse-
manner at all like what we have supposed,
borer for water will be sure to obtain it if he
decends deep enough.
Ii is curious TO know that Artesian wells
reach back TO The remotes, antiquity We can
not tell, at this day, whether learned philoso-
piers OWNED, by the aid of the science, that
boring for water would be rewarded with the
pure element, or whether the fact was acciden-
tally found out; but as il is now ascertained
that many Of The wells 10 The Arabian desert
are Aresian, and that they are older Than hu-
man history, it is impossible to deny the vast
age Of the discovery. The Chinese, who have
authentic chronicles, extending backwards lon
ger than other profane records, claim to have
possessed Artesan wells for thousands Of wears.
Aristotle was familiar with wells Of this des-
cription; but supposed the waters were driven
to the surface by the central heat Of the globe
Artesian wells Of great antiquity exist at varl-
Gus places in Europe, bnt the one Of oldest as
certaned date is al LiIlers, in Artois, whence
the name Arlesian; and is supposed to have
been dug A. D. 1895 This well is situated
in the middle Of a vast plain, where nothing
like hill is TO be seen, and therefore its wa
ters can originate only in the way we have des-
crbed; that is, they come from rains, falling
at a great distance, and return TO the surface,
the Strata acting as syphnn.
Rivers frequently disappear and re appear in
a manner somewhat similar When a stream
meets impervIous rocks which prevents It's flow
ing on the surface, il is forced under ground,
along the line Of the strata, which il follows
till the strata bends upwards again, or crops
ont as il is called. Quite considerable river
sinks ont Of sight, in this way, near BeefOnte,
in this State: and as an enormous spring bub-
bles up in The heart of the town of about equal
capacity, the probability is that this fountain is
the stream re-aPpearing. In the mammoth
cave, in Kentucky, miles away from the mouth
is river three quarters Of mile long; il is
probably branch Of Green river, which sud-
denly disappears from the surface in that vi
cin;ty Philadelphia Ledger.