Some Artesian fountains, for example that at Lillers in Artois, are situated in the middle of immense plains, where not the most insignificant hill is to be seen on any side. In such cases it may be inquired where we are to look for those hydrosta tic columns whose pressure causes the rise of the suhterraneous water to the level of the lowest points ? The answer is obvious : we must suppose them placed beyond the limits of view ; at the dis tance of 50, 100, or 200 miles, or even at a greater distance. The necessity of sup posing the existence of a snbterraneous liquid column of two or three hundred miles of extent, cannot appear a serious objection, when it is considered that the same geological structure has been found to prevail sometimes over even a much greater extent of country.
The water which rises in Artesian wells of great depth is remarkably warm, and is used for heating greenhouses and dwellings, and for washing purposes.
There are no geological capabilities in this country for the sinking of Artesian wells to any depth, or for any certainty; they are chiefly sunk in beds of the up per secondary formation, which have not at all the same extent of development on this as on the Eastern hemisphere.
The fountains in the parks of New York and other cities, act upon the seine principle as Artesian wells : thus in New York, the water which is thrown up in Union Square and the Park has a ten dency to rise to the height of the surface of the water in the lower distributing reservoir.
ASBESTITS—Amwqmos.—A mineral in which the long-needle crystals have a fibrous appearance. It is a variety of hornblend or tremolite, so soft in texture as to be spun and woven in flax, and from its incombustible nature, the cloth made of it may be cleansed when dirty by burning it. The ancients wrapped their dead in this cloth before burning, to keep the ashes from mixing with the fire. The Greenlanders use it for the wicks of lamps. In the Pyrenees, girdles are made of it, which are much prized. There are many varieties, as lignifarm, or woodlike embed, which is so hard as to be cut and polished • the fibres are less close in mountain leather, and rock cork is so light as to float upon water. Asbestus is made up of silica, magnesia, lime and iron.