here commonly the
Sources of Rivers are.

2. He explicates, why, if a Pipe be put into a Bason full of Water, the
water is seen more raised in the Pipe, than in the Bason, and rises higher
according as the Pipe is narrower; On the contrary, if the same Pipe be put
into a Bason full of Quicksilver, the Quicksilver stayes lower in the Pipe,
than in the Bason. The reason, which he renders hereof, is, That as the
Water sticks easily to all it touches, it is sustain'd by the sides of the
narrow Pipe wherein it is included: And indeed, if the Pipe be quite drawn
out of the Water, the Water doth not all fall out, but so much of it
remains, as the sides of the Pipe could sustaine: Whence it is, that the
Water which is kept up by the Walls of the Tube, weighing no longer upon
that which is in the Bason, is thrust upwards, and keeps it self raised
above its Levell; but the Quicksilver not adhering so easily, as Water, to
Bodies it touches, is not sustained by the sides of the Tube, and so mounts
not above its Levell, but rather descends below it, because the Pipe, which
is streight, hinders the endeavor that is in the _Mercury_ to rise to its
Level. He adds, that this Observation makes nothing for the Explication of
the _Origine of Rivers_; because, though it be true, that the Water {305}
by this means rises above its Levell, yet it does never run out at the top
of the Pipe. Having said this, he answers to the other Arguments, commonly
alledged to maintain this Opinion.

3. He pretends, that all Rivers proceed from a _Colluvies_ or _Rendevous_
of Rain-waters, and that, as the Water, that falls upon _Hills_, gathers
more easily together, than that which falls in _Plaines_, therefore it is,
that Rivers ordinarily take their Source from _Hills_. Thence also comes it
(saies he) that there are more _Rivers_, than _Torrents_, in the _Temperate
Zones_; and, on the contrary, more _Torrents_, than _Rivers_, in the
_Torrid Zone_: For, as in hot Climats the Mountains are far higher, the
Water, that descends from them with impetuosity, runs away in a little
while, and formes such Collections of Water, as soon dry up, but in cold
Climats, the Waters do not run away but slowly, and are renew'd and
recruited by Rain, before they are quite dryed up; because the Hills are
there lower, and so the Bed of Rivers hath lesse declivity.

Having thus discoursed of _Rivers_ in _General_, he treats of the _Nile_ in
_particular_; and there

1. Observes,