a spring or fontain of water rifing out of the earth. Among the ancients, fountains were generally efteemed as sacred; but fome were held to be fo in a more particular manner. The good effects received from cold baths gave springs and rivers this high reputation; for their falutary influence was fuppoſed to proceed from fome prefiding deity. Particular reafons might occasion fome to be held in greater veneration than others. It was customary to throw little pieces of money into thofe springs, lakes, or rivers, which were efteemed sacred, to render the prefiding divinities propitious; as the touch of a naked body was fuppoſed to pollute their hallowed waters. For the phenomena, theory, and origin of fountains or springs, fee Spring.

Artificial FOUNTAIN, called alfo a jet d'eau, is a con- trivance by which water is violently spouted upwards. See HYDRODYNAMICS.

Boiling FOUNTAIN. See ICELAND.