Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 67.djvu/686

680 been obtained from the Waianae side of Kaala, utilized to run a dynamo, besides irrigating several plantations. On Maui near Lahaina, a sixmillion-gallon daily flow is derived from the altitude of 2,600 feet through a tunnel of the same length. There are no springs nor other signs of underground water along the route. It must be permanent, as the flow has been constant for the past two years. Other examples could be cited.

7. After so many introductory statements it is possible now to postulate the central idea of this paper: springs of fresh water arise in the midst of the ocean at some distance from the shore. The facts are not numerous, but are stated upon the best authority. Professor Joseph Le Conte, in his 'Geology' says that fresh-water springs arise in the ocean in the Hawaiian Islands. In reply to my inquiry as to details, he wrote that he had not preserved the memoranda relating to these phenomena, and that they had escaped his memory. No one can doubt the correctness of the statement in view of the existence of the proved underground waters. Powerful streams discharge millions of gallons of water through the artificial openings very near the sea-shore. If not intercepted, they must continue a considerable distance out to sea, and hence must well up to the surface amid saline billows.

Inquiry about these springs during the past summer in the territory of Hawaii has resulted in the discovery of several upon Oahu, there is one off Diamond Head; a second off Waialae. At the east end of Maui, in Hana, there was a fortress named Kaimuke, occupied by soldiers in the ancient times. As it was almost an island communication with the mainland was not feasible in the time of a siege, and for the lack of water it could not have been held except for the presence of submarine springs. The natives would dive down to collect water in their calabashes, which supplied all the wants of the garrison. Other springs were known in the harbor of Hana, and at low tide at Lahaina. Upon Hawadi I found there were fresh-water springs off Kawadahae and Punaluu. Further inquiry would doubtless discover many other examples.

A later residence of a few weeks in Florida proved that the characteristic fluvial phenomena cited above were even better developed there than in Hawaii. If there is anything peculiar about drinking-water one discovers it very, soon, as was the case in Florida. The first feature to be noted along the eastern coast of Florida is the presence of hundreds of driven and artesian wells. Every cottage of importance derives its water for culinary and irrigating purposes from them.