Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1876 — Curious Natural Cisterns. [ARTICLE]

Curious Natural Cisterns.

In the rough granite country back from Mossaniesdes, on the west coast of Africa, are some very remarkable natural cisterns. The countiy itself is iieculiar, huge single rocks rising out of the nearly level plain in some places, and other hills of rocks, in several of which deposits of water are found at tlie very top. A recent traveler visited one of these and describes it as a natural tank with- narrow entrance, containing some 300 or 400 gallons exquisitely clear and cool water, ft was covered by vast slabs of granite, from which the rain drained into it during the rainy season, shading the water so mat it could not be seen without a torch, and so protecting it that the sun cannot evaporate it during the dry season. Thus a bountiful store of excellent water is preserved, while there was not a drop to be had elsewhere for

miles. A still more remarkable cistern of this sort is that of the Pedra Grande or Big Stone, some thirty miles from Mossaniesdes, a huge rounded mass of granite rising out of a sandy plain. On the smooth side of this rock, twenty or thirty feei above the plain, is a circular pit about ten feet deep and six feet across. The rainfall on the rock above the pit drains into it, filling it completely every rainy season. The walls of the pit—which is shaped like a crucible narrowing gently to the bottom are perfectly smooth and regular, the inclosing granite being of the closest and hardest description. The cistern will hold several thousand gallons of water. Near by are smaller pits of similar character. Their formation is unexplained. The water of this strange well furnishes the natives and travelers with an abundant supply cjuring the dry season, consequently it is a noted halting-place.