The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-20
A SUBTERRANEAN WATER-CoURsE. - A
correspondent of the Worthwhile (Mich.)
Record writes rs follows.

A SUBTERRANEAN WATER-CoURsE. -
correspondent Of the Worthwhile (Mich.)
Record writes as follows:
"Some three years since a well on the
premises of Mr.. John &. McFarlan, Of this
place, that had for thirty years or more fur
nished a full supply Of water for the Use Of
the family, became suddenly and entirely
dry. The singular manner in which the
hitherto unf'iinc supply disappeared I'M
pressed the owner with the idea that new
Subterranean watcr-cOurSe had been formed
that had ctltctually ruined the old well.
Some time after the above event Mr.. Nc
Farlan, in passing ravine on his farm
through which small stream runs, had bis
attention attracled to spot near him by
rushing sound of Water. On going to the
place Indicated by the noise, he found that
a stream had forced itself to the surface and
was ('ischarsing its water into the ravinc
through an oritice Six inches in diameter.
Upon this discovery the owner at once con-
ceivcd the idea of accomplishing IL three
fold object, namely, to place dam across
the ravinc Of sufficient height to raise the
water about fifteen feet and use the power
thus obtained for the purpose of driving
machinery. The pond created by the dam
would cover about haitian acre, and was to
be stocked with fish also Il supply of water
was to be forced back into the old family
we'll.
.In accomplishing these objects the own
er was entirely successful. The surplus
water furnished all the power necessary for
a first-class cider mill. The we'll was again
made to minister to the wants Of the fami-
", the water having been raised in it to the
depth of over four feet. Then the owner,
at a considerable expenditure of money,
patience and time, succeeded in stocking
the pond with, pei haps, the finest collection
of fish to be found in any similar establish
ment in the State. The clear, sparkling
waters Of the pond, with its myriads OF
tinny occupants, and its beautiful surround
'ings, form picture that cannot fail to in
terest and fill with admiration every be-
holder.
"Another result in this connection re.
mains to be told, and that will be, perhaps,
the most interesting part to the scientific
readers of the Record. The water is drawn
from the well with IN old-fashioned windlass
and bucket. Five or six months ago it was
observed that some obstruction prevented
the bucket from filling readily, and upon
examination it was found that the water
was literally alive with fish. The suppose
ton is that they had followed the under
ground water. course from the fiSh-pond,
which is some eighty-nine rods distant, and
this being the first breathing-place, they
had availed themselves of it. They must
be continually passing back and forth for
while they are caught almost daily with
hook and line from the we'll in sufficient
quantities to supply the wants Of large
family, there is no apparent decrease in
their numbers.
The above would seem to be an eXplana-
ton of the theory of underground commu-
nication between different bodies Of water,
and shows the manner in which fish have
found their way into lakes and ponds hay
ing no apparent inlet or outlet.