Spring

a current of water issuing from the ground. Springs originate from surface water as rain or snow. The water soaks through the ground until it comes to a layer of rock or impervious earth. This it follows along until it comes to an outlet as at the foot of some cliff. Sometimes the source of a spring must be sought in mountains or uplands a thousand miles away. The mountains of New England and the Appalachian region generally are noted for delightful springs of fresh, cool water. In their underground journey, spring waters absorb mineral elements from the earth. If strongly impregnated, they are known as mineral springs. Saline springs contain salt; sulphur springs, compounds of sulphur; chalybeate springs, iron; calcareous springs are hard with limewater, and so on. Springs that flow only at intervals are known as intermittent. Their sources are usually near by. They are dependent on seasons of rainfall. An artesian well may be regarded as an artificial spring formed by piercing an overlying layer of rock or earth so as to permit the outflow of water. When the waters pass over hot rocks they form hot springs. See Yellowstone Park; Geyser; Spa; Waters; Mineral; Aix-La-Chapelle; Baden; Hot Springs; Florida